Philodendron Revolution Plant Care

Last Updated on June 10, 2022 by Admin

The Philodendron Revolution is a rare, hard to find Aroid that features beautiful green foliage. It is also referred to as the Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum Revolution.

Its leaves start out with curly edges. But as the leaves get bigger they will begin to split.

Its long, thin stems keep the large, gorgeous leaves at up above the soil. And you can grow it in a good sized pot or hanging basket.

How do you care for the Philodendron Revolution? This plant needs medium to bright indirect light to achieve its overall size and large leaves.

Keep it in well-draining soil and only water if part of the soil has dried. It thrives in warm weather and high humidity.

Table of Contents

Light Requirements

The Philodendron Revolution is a beautiful plant with unique looking leaves. And it needs medium to bright light to sustain its lovely foliage.

Good lighting is also very important to help the plant grow. As it will get to a good size.

The leaves will also get quite big and start splitting as the plant matures.

For all this to happen, the plant needs to stay in a well-lit location.

Indoors, it thrives in medium to bright indirect sunlight. It prefers natural light from the sun. But it will likewise be happy with artificial lighting.

Outdoors, keep it in partial shade or semi-shaded areas. Avoid full sun.

The reason for the difference in lighting conditions indoors and outdoors is that there’s always more light outside.

That’s because indoors, the walls and ceilings block out the sun.

So, natural light can only come in from the windows or any other open access you may have in your home.

In contrast, light is able to reflect and bounce around walls outdoors. This allows the plant to receive light from all directions, which is why it is much brighter outdoors.

The reason this is important is because the Philodendron Revolution cannot tolerate more than 2 or 3 hours of strong, harsh, direct sunlight on a daily basis.

It is used to a more indirect, filtered or dappled sun since the larger trees and their leaves block out most of the sun’s very intense rays in the forest.

Therefore, keep the plant away from the direct rays of the sun during the hottest times of the day (10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) and the year (summers).

Similarly, avoid full sun.

Instead, keeping it in the east or west facing windows are ideal because the morning sun from the east is gentle and the late afternoon sun from the west is already waning.

Temperature

The Philodendron Revolution prefers temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

This has to do with its tropical nature.

It is accustomed to the moderate to warm weather since it is native to the tropics. It also prefers a more moderate to warm temperature because it lives under the shade of the larger trees.

This makes it very easy for the plant to adapt to indoor home living.

That’s because most homes maintain temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit as this is what we humans feel most comfortable in.

But you still need to watch out for winters since it can cause your home’s temperature to drop significantly.

Similarly, keep the plant away from air conditioners and cold drafts.

Cold spots where the nighttime temperature can significantly decrease compared to daytime conditions are also no-no’s.

Outdoors, the plant is only winter hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11. That’s because these locations technically don’t experience winter weather.

Instead, it stays moderate to cool but still sunny during November to March in these regions.

But if you live in colder regions where there is frost, snow or freezing temperatures, make sure to bring the plant indoors before the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

The plant does not have good tolerance to the cold.

And it will not survive the winter outdoors if you get snow and frost.

Humidity

Keep humidity at 50% and above. The Philodendron Revolution enjoys humidity as it is used to tropical conditions.

Ideally, it prefers humidity of 60% to 70%. But it will do just as well with 40% humidity and above.

In most cases, it will do well with in average room humidity found in most homes. As such, you don’t need to do anything special to help it out.

The key is to observe its leaves.

Its foliage will give you clues as to how the plant feels.

As long as the leaves look good and keep their color, it means that it is doing well.

But once you see the leaf edges and tips turn brown or crispy, it is a sign that the air is too dry and the plant needs more humidity.

Note that when this happens, it does not mean that you need to increase humidity in your entire home. Instead, just adding more moisture in the air around the plant is enough.

Therefore, misting every now and then helps a lot.

But be careful not to over mist. You’ll easily be able to tell if you’re doing this.

If you see water spots on the leaves when you mist, it means you’re wetting the leaves too much. Pat them dry and scale back.

Leaving foliage wet for long periods will increase the risk of fungal disease.

Other options include using a pebble tray, moving the plant to the bathroom or getting a humidifier.

How Often to Water Philodendron Revolution

The Philodendron Revolution likes evenly moist soil. But it does not like soggy, mucky soil.

At the same time, it won’t be happy if you allow the entire root ball go dry.

As such, avoid the extremes and the plant will stay healthy and happy.

Unfortunately, this is easier said than done. That’s because you cannot just find a perfect watering schedule and stick to that all year round.

Why?

The weather changes throughout the year.

This means that you’ll need to water more regularly during summer to keep the plant from drying up due to the hotter weather.

At the same time, you want to scale back significantly during winters to avoid overwatering the plant since the cold weather and lack of sunshine makes soil stay wet longer.

This is why the best way to water the Philodendron Revolution is to check its soil.

Feel the soil every 4 days or once a week.

As long as the soil feels moist, it does not need watering yet.

When the surface of the soil feels dry, then take the next step is checking. Stick your finger into the soil down to about 2 inches from the surface.

This is around the 2^nd knuckle of your index finger.

If the soil at that depth feels dry, it is time to water. If not, don’t water yet and just continue your regular soil checks every 4 or 7 days.

By watering only after the top 2 inches have dried, you’re able to prevent overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

It also reduces the frequency you need to water the plant (while keeping it healthy).

Philodendron Revolution Potting Soil

The Philodendron Revolution needs loose, well-draining soil that stays moist. It also grows best in soil pH between 5.0 and 6.0.

Because of is sensitivity to overwatering and the risk of root rot, good drainage and aeration is very important for the plant.

This means it is never a good idea to use heavy, dense or even water-retentive soils for this plant. Similarly, stay away any soils or components that tend to get compacted.

All of these will hold too much moisture leaving the roots wet.

Worse, they will keep the roots sitting in water for long periods of time. This is when root rot occurs.

So, always a soil mix with good drainage and aeration.

The easiest to achieve the soil the Philodendron Revolution needs is to use an Aroid Mix. This kind of soil mix fits all the needs and features needed by the plant.

And you can use it for other aroids (members of the Araceae family).

These include anthuriums, philodendrons, alocasias, pothos, monsteras and more.

It is available in online plant shops as well as garden centers. And you can just open the bag and start using it.

In contrast, you can also make your own potting mix for the Philodendron Revolution.

Here, you’ll need to find a recipe, then buy the ingredients separately and mix the soil yourself at home. So, it does require more work. But it also comes out cheaper.

Plus, you can adjust the components and ingredients if needed.

Here’s a simple potting mix that works very well for the Philodendron Revolution. Combine:

30% potting soil
40% bark
20% peat
10% perlite

Then add in a few handfuls of charcoal.

This soil mix will give you moist soil as the peat and potting soil retain some moisture. But the other ingredients will quickly get rid of any excess moisture.

The charcoal and bark also add chunkiness to the soil which allows air to circulate through the roots easily.

Fertilizer

The Philodendron Revolution will benefit from fertilizer.

It will grow faster, produce more leaves and develop larger leaves as well.

The most important thing about fertilizer is that you should use it like water. As much as it benefits the plant, avoid using too much.

Being on the conservative side of fertilizer (and water) are the best ways to keep the plant healthy and happy.

That’s because too much fertilizer or applying it too often will eventually burn the plant. And because the fertilizer residue is in the soil, the roots are the ones that sustain the most damage.

Instead, only apply fertilizer once a month during the plant’s growing season. This is during spring and summer.

Use a balanced fertilizer. A 15-15-15 or 20-20-20 formulation will give the plant sufficient nutrients to fuel its growth.

Also, dilute the dose when you apply by 50%.

Pruning

The Philodendron Revolution can grow up to 3 feet high. Its leaves can reach 2 feet in length. And they will get wide as well.

It is a plant that produces larger leaves in less number.

As such, you’ll likely see it have 6 to 12 large leaves supported by its long thick stems. However, you’re not going to see it produce 20 or more leaves.

This means that it does not need pruning.

The only times you’ll need to prune is when you’re encouraging the sparse Philodendron Revolution plant to grow more shoots and foliage.

Or to remove dead or damaged foliage.

As such, it is a low maintenance plant.

How to Propagate Philodendron Revolution

Philodendron Revolution propagation is often done via stem cuttings or division.

Both work well but they have their pros and cons.

Stem cuttings are easier. Although in this case, due to the size of the stems, the removal of just one stem makes it obvious that the plant has been reduced.

Division entails splitting the mother plant into 2 or more smaller plants.

So, it is a better option if you feel the plant has gotten too big.

In most cases, stem cuttings are more practical. Here’s how to propagate the Philodendron Revolution from stem cuttings.

Choose a healthy stem. Use a sterile pair or pruning shears and cut a 6 inch stem cutting.
Remove any lower leaves to reveal more nodes.
Place the stem cutting in a pot filled with well-draining soil.
Water the soil and keep it moist. Also, keep the pot in bright, indirect light.

It takes around a month or so for new roots to develop.

They will then establish themselves onto the soil.

Alternatively, you can propagate in water as well.

Water propagation adds an extra step.

Here, you place the cuttings in water after removing the bottom leaves.

You’ll also need to replace the water every 2 weeks or so. This prevents the water from getting cloudy.

Place the jar of water with the cutting in a well-lit location with no direct sunlight.

In about 3 or so weeks you’ll see quite a few roots. Once the roots reach about 1-2 inches or longer, transfer the cutting to a pot filled with well-draining soil.

How to Repot or Transplant Philodendron Revolution

The Philodendron Revolution will need repotting as it gets bigger.

Eventually, you’ll end up using a good sized pot due to the plant’s size and the root system that supports is large stems and leaves.

However, you won’t need to repotting yearly.

Instead, wait for the plant to show that it is root bound.

You’ll be able to tell but peeking at the holes at the bottom of the pot. If there are roots poking out from the holes, it means it is time to repot.

The extending roots mean they’re looking for more space.

Similarly, roots coming out from the surface of the soil means they’ve already run out of space in the pot to grow.

Repot during spring as this is the best time to do so.

Be careful when unpotting the plant especially if it gets big. Gently tip it on its side to slide out the root ball.

Don’t try to lift a larger Philodendron Revolution yourself as you may hurt your back.

Choose a pot that is 2 inches larger then the current one. And replace the old spend soil with fresh, well-draining soil as well.

Is It Toxic/Poisonous to Humans, Cats & Dogs

Yes, the Philodendron Revolution is toxic to both people and animals. It contains calcium oxalate crystals which can cause inflammation, swelling, vomiting, drooling and many other side effects.

Therefore, keep the plant away from young children, dogs and cats that may accidentally eat the leaves.

Philodendron Revolution Problems & Troubleshooting

Pests

The Philodendron Revolution has good resistance to pests. But it does not mean that the plant will never get any pests. That’s just not realistic.

The most common pests that attack this plant include mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, thrips and scale.

In most cases, they come from the outside.

Usually when you bring the plant back indoors from the yard or garden. Or when you first take the plant home from the store.

Therefore, always take the time to debug.

If you see any bugs, immediately treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap. Don’t wait for them to grow into infestations.

The few bugs will not go away on their own. Instead, they will multiply.

So, treat them even if you just see 3 or 4 pests there.

Diseases

Root rot from overwatering is one of the most dangerous problems the plant faces.

Unfortunately, overwatering is always man-made.

It happens when you water the plant too frequently out of your generosity.

The soil you use is not draining enough moisture. Or the pot does not contain drainage holes.

The good news, these are all very easy to fix.

Philodendron Revolution Plant Care – Lighting Needs, Watering, Soil & Propagation