How to Care for Philodendron Lickety Split

Last Updated on January 15, 2023 by Admin

The Philodendron Lickety Split is a stunning houseplant that can add a tropical feel to your home and patio. It gets its name from its long thin leaves which have deep splits.

It is a more recently created hybrid that’s gaining popularity because of its unique appearance.

The plant likewise grows to between 2 to 4 feet high and 2 to 4 feet wide. Thus, easily making it something that can accent a blank area of your home.

it is likewise low maintenance and easy to care for which makes it more appealing.

That said, it is worth noting that it has an upright habit. As such, it does not climb or trail like many popular philodendron varieties.

Yet another reason why it will make a great addition to any foliage plant growers collection.

Philodendron Lickety Split Plant Care

Philodendron Lickety Split Light Requirements

Philodendron Lickety Split will grow at its best when given bright indirect sunlight. it is very well-suited for the indoors including homes, offices and buildings because it does well in medium and low light.

You also need not worry if you don’t have access to a bright window since it does not mind fluorescent light.

Do note that the plant will grow a little bit slower in low light. But, it won’t sustain damage or any other problems.

On the other hand, the same is not true for direct sunlight or too much bright light. This will cause its leaves to burn resulting in brown foliage.

As such, indoors, you can place it:

Near or on the windowsill of a north facing window. This will allow it to get enough light to keep it happy. Since a northern exposure has the least light, it won’t be a problem.
Near an east facing window. Keeping it about 3 feet or so away so it won’t get a lot of direct sun it ideal. The long hours of bright light from this direction will keep it happy.
Farther from west and south facing windows. The latter will have much more light. As such, placing the plant about 6 to 10 feet away is ideal. You also want to make sure that at no time does the sun’s rays touch its leaves.

In the summer, the plant will likewise appreciate some time outdoors. If you do take it outside, make sure to keep it away from direct sunlight (which can be more challenging than indoors).

Ideally, dappled sun or bright shade or less work best.

Finally, I have two other useful tips I’ve found to keep the plant looking good.

Clean its leaves once a week or every 2 weeks with a damp cloth. This will remove dirt and debris from clogging the pores. And, it will improve sun abosroption.
Rotate the plant every so often. Your Philodendron Lickety Split likes to grow towards the light. This will help let it grow evenly.

Temperature

You Philodendron Lickety Split is tropical in nature. As such, it enjoys conditions similar to what you and I are comfortable with.

This means keeping it somewhere that’s consistently between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.

More importantly, it does not like the cold. It cannot survive for long in freezing conditions. Thus, allowing to go through snowy winters is not a good idea.

Instead, it prefers staying in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. Here, it will be perfectly happy outdoors in your garden or in a container all year long.

As such, if you live outside of these regions, make sure to bring the plant indoors once the weather starts to get close to 60 degrees.

Don’t forget to debug it before doing so. This will prevent any unwanted critters from infect your other houseplants.

Humidity

The good news is, your Philodendron Lickety Split is likewise well-suited to regular household humidity.

Ideally, it would prefer higher humidity (>50% or so). But, it has no problem with average or slightly lower humidity, which most homes have.

However, if you live in a fairly dry area or experience very hot summers and cold winters the air may get dry during these times.

If so, it is a good idea to regularly mist the plant in order to add moisture to the air surrounding it. But, be careful not to spray too much water on its leaves.

The plant is susceptible to leaf spot and other fungal problems. Allowing its foliage to get wet without drying for prolonged periods can lead to issues.

If you’re not sure what the humidity in your home is, I highly recommend picking up a hygrometer. It’s an inexpensive device that measures humidity. This will tell you how much, if needed, you need to increase air moisture.

It will likewise tell you if you’ve done enough after you’ve implemented the changes.

Lack of humidity will cause the plant’s leaf tips to turn brown. As such, look out for this when doing your regular cleaning or pest inspection.

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How Often to Water Philodendron Lickety Split

Given a choice, your Philodendron Lickety Split would prefer drier soil to wet ones. As such, avoid overwatering or allowing the plant to sit in water for extended periods of time.

This is a huge no-no as it can kill the plant.

In contrast, you want to allow the soil to almost dry before watering. And, don’t worry if you forget. The plant can go weeks without watering.

And, once you do, it will quickly perk back up in about a day or so.

That said, once you see some wilting, browning of leaves or dropping of foliage, this is a sign that it is thirsty.

On the other hand, yellow leaves means to scale back on watering.

My basic rule for this plant is if in doubt, don’t water just wait. You can wait a couple of days or so before watering.

Keep in mind that its living conditions also affect how often you need to water.

In the summer, the weather is warm and the plant is actively growing. As such, it will need more regular watering.

During winter, when the weather is cold and it is inactive, cut back significantly on water.

Soil for Philodendron Lickety Split

From the previous section, you already know how your Philodendron Lickety Split is susceptible to overwatering and the problems that come with it.

As such, it is important to choose the right soil to help avoid these problems.

The best way to do so is to use high quality, well-draining potting soil. This medium will allow excess moisture to quickly drain so the plant does not sit in water too often.

Here, you have a few options.

If you prefer picking it up from the store, then choose a succulent or cactus potting mix. This will give you all the features your Philodendron Lickety Split needs. Plus, you can use it right out of the box.
If you prefer making your own soil, you can use the regular potting soil you already use for other plants and add sand to it to improve drainage.

Fertilizer

Feed your Philodendron Lickety Split during the spring and summer when it is actively growing. Then, cut back in fall and winter as the plant gets some rest.

You can use a balanced houseplant fertilizer (15-15-15 or 10-10-10) diluted to 50% strength once a month during its growing season.

If you keep it somewhere it gets a lot of light, it will grow much faster. As such, to support that growth you can adjust up to once every 2 weeks.

Once the cold weather comes around, scale back to about once every couple of months.

Pruning

Philodendron Lickety Split don’t grow like many other philodendrons. That is, it does not vine. So, you won’t see it climbing or trailing. Instead, you’ll trim it like a regular upright houseplant.

That said, you don’t necessarily have to a lot in terms of pruning.

Most of it will either be for aesthetical purposes (size and shaping) or removing old leaves as well ad dead or discolored ones.

Philodendron Lickety Split Propagation

Like many plants in its genus, the Philodendron Lickety Split can be easily propagated from stem tip cuttings.

Ideally, you want to do this during spring or at the latest early summer.

Here’s how to propagate Philodendron Lickety Split using stem cuttings.

Take a 4 to 7 inch stem cutting. Choose a stem that has at least 2 or 3 leaves.
Fill a small container (6” x 6” or so) with fresh well-draining potting mix. Water to get the soil moist, bot don’t overdo it.
Remove the bottom leaves as they’ll go under the soil and leave about 2 leaves on top.
Plant the stem cutting into the soil.
Keep in warm, humid place that’s well-lit with indirect lighting. You can cover the plant with a plastic bag if you can’t find a humid space for it.
It will take about 20 to 25 days or so for the initial roots to develop. When that time comes you can test to see if they’ve grown by lighting tugging on the plant. It should resist a little bit.

Note that you can likewise propagate in water instead of going straight to soil. Here, you’ll place the cutting into a jar or glass filled with water.

Roots will start growing in about 10 to 15 days or so. This is faster than rooting in soil.

Once the roots have gotten to about an inch long you can transfer the cutting into soil and follow the same instructions as above.

How to Repot Philodendron Lickety Split

Your Philodendron Lickety Split is a fast growing plant. As such, it will need to be repotted every 1 to 2 years or so. Exactly how long will depend on its living conditions as how much light, fertilizer and humidity it receives will affect how quickly it actually ends up growing.

That said, it is much better to observe your plant for signs that it needs a larger home. Often, one of the telltale signs include roots coming out from the bottom of the container.

Similarly, they will start forming a tight ball or being to loosen the soil. You’ll also notice slower or stunted growth along with the soil drying up much faster than it normally used to.

The best time to repot is during the spring. And, when you do make sure to move it to a container that’s 2 inches larger in diameter.

Be careful not to go up many sizes as this will increase the risk of overwatering.

Toxicity and Diseases

Philodendron Lickety Split are fairly resistant to pests. But, they are not immune. So, while you won’t be expecting a lot of problems in this aspect, it is still essential to regularly inspect the plant for any pests or the damage they inflict.

Aphids and mealybugs rank among the most common attachers for your LIckety Split. The good news is, you can use alcohol and cotton to wipe these off.

If more appear, you may need to resort to insecticidal soap spray.

Diseases are likewise rare. But, they can happen. Most of the time, it is tied to high humidity, overwatering or getting the leaves wet.

As such, it is important to avoid too much moisture while providing the plant with enough sunlight and air circulation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you care for a philodendron lickety split?

The Philodendron Lickety Split will grow into a large plant. It will grow wider than it does taller. Thus, give it enough space to grow. It thrives in bright, indirect light. If you have the variegated version, good lighting is even more essential to maintain its colors. Keep temperature between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. During its growing season of spring and summer, the plant will grow faster with a monthly dose of liquid fertilizer.

What is philodendron lickety split?

The Philodendron Lickety Split is a self-heading plant that has large dark green split leaves. The plant will grow big especially spreading outwards to the sides. You’ll also see variegated versions of the plant.

How big does Lickety split get?

The Philodendron Lickety Split will grow 2-4 feet tall and 2-4 feet wide. Its large split leaves make it unique looking and very attractive as well.

Can you propagate a lickety split?

The Philodendron Lickety Split can be propagated through stem cuttings. This is the easiest way to grow more of the plant. However, you can also propagate the plant through air layering and division.

How often do you water a lickety split philodendron?

The Philodendron Lickety Split does best in moist soil. But don’t overwater it. Thus, allow the soil to dry out halfway to three-quarters of the way. Always allow the soil dry between waterings.as too much water is dangerous for the plant. The Philodendron Lickety Split can survive weeks in between waterings.

Do split-leaf philodendron like full sun?

Good lighting is important for split leaf philodendrons. The thrive in bright, indirect light. Likewise, they’ll tolerate fluorescent lighting. Avoid too much direct sunlight exposure as this can scorch its leaves. Similarly, low light is not good as it slows down growth. The plant’s leaves may not split as well wit lack of light.

What is the best fertilizer for split-leaf philodendron?

Use a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer for best results. Something that has N-P-K of 15-15-15 or 10-10-10 works well. Feed your split leaf philodendron once a month during the spring and summer to promote healthy foliage growth as well as stem and root development.