Philodendron Temptation Care & Growing Guide

Last Updated on June 10, 2022 by Admin

The Philodendron Temptation is a beautiful plant with green lance-shaped leaves. Its leaves won’t grow too big, but they will grow in number as the plant gets quite dense.

That said, the plant starts out quite sparse with long thin stems.

But after a while, it will fill out and get quite bushy.

Its looks can vary significantly depending on whether you keep it in a pot or give it a support to climb.

The plant can sprawl or become like a layer of leaves in a pot overflowing out and around the container. When allowed to climb, it covers the support like shingles on a roof.

How do you care for the Philodendron Temptation? The plant enjoys medium to bright indirect light. But it will tolerate low light as well. Avoid too much direct sun.

Warm weather, good humidity and moist soil allow it to grow best. But never overwater the plant as this can lead to root rot. Use well-draining soil and prune the excess leaves when it gets messy or thick.

Table of Contents

Philodendron Temptation Plant Care

Light Requirements

The Philodendron Temptation thrives in medium to bright indirect light. But it can tolerate low light as well without any problems.

This makes it easy to care for indoors in both homes and offices.

But if you want the plant to produce lots of lance-shaped leaves and maintain its beautiful green color, then leaving it in medium to bright indirect light is best.

Additionally, low light can make the plant turn leggy if there is insufficient illumination.

Therefore, you want to monitor the plant a bit in low light. When growth slows or the plant starts becoming leggy, it means the light is too low.

Similarly, the plant prefers natural light.

But it does well with artificial lights. So, if you don’t get a lot of sunlight into your home, then you can supplement whatever natural light you get with grow lights. Or use the LED grow lights on their own.

That said, whether you’re growing the plant in natural light or grow lights, you want to be careful about excess exposure.

That’s because the Philodendron Temptation is used to living under the shade of the forest canopy.

This means that it does not bear the brunt of the sun’s direct rays in its native habitat. Instead, the filtered or dappled light that get past the branches and leaves of the larger trees are what the plant receives.

Therefore, it cannot take very strong or intense direct sun.

It can withstand about 2-3 hours or this on a daily basis. But anything more will affect its leaf color. In very strong exposure, the leaves can even get burned leaving you with brown or black burn marks.

So, try to keep it away from excess intensity.

With sunlight, this is through the south facing window between 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. which is the hottest times of the day.

Outdoors, full sun will damage the leaves. Instead, keep the plant in partial shade.

As for grow lights, keep the plant at least 8-12 inches from the bulbs as they will emit heat as well.

Temperature

The Philodendron Temptation is a tropical plant that is used to consistent sunny, warm weather.

It is used to this kind of environment in the tropical forests of South America.

As such, it prefers temperatures of 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It will also do well without any problems in hotter weather up to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit or so.

But in higher temperatures, you need to make sure that the plant is well-hydrated. Otherwise, it could quickly dry out due to the faster evaporation rate.

On the other hand, you do want to be careful with the cold.

That’s because tropical regions don’t have cold weather. Their climate runs from very hot to moderate with the rainy season somewhere.

They don’t get cool months. Nor do they experience snow, frost or freezing temperatures.

So, the Philodendron Temptation is not used to the cold.

And it will struggle once temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The first thing you’ll notice is growth will slow. But this can later completely stop if it gets colder.

Its leaves can also turn yellow after a while. Then the plant will wilt. And you’ll see leaves fall off.

Cold injury will start happening around the 35 degree Fahrenheit range and below.

Thus, it is never a good idea to leave the plant outdoors for the winter. Instead, bring it inside and keep it in a warm spot. You can use heating mats or pads to keep the soil temperature up.

That said, the Philodendron Temptation loves the outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9 to 11.

If you live in these regions, you can keep the plant outdoors all year long with no problems. That’s because the weather in these areas are sunny and warm throughout. (Think Florida, California, Texas and other southern coastal states).

Humidity

The Philodendron Temptation likes humid conditions. It prefers humidity of 60% to 80%.

Again, this has to do with its native habitat.

In the tropics, humidity on an average day runs between 60% to 75%. It can reach 85% to just over 90% during rainy days.

And at the lowest about 48% to 55% of very dry summer days.

But you’ll never see it go below that.

This is why the plant likes humid conditions.

However, it can tolerate 40% humidity and slightly below that making it easier to accommodate in most homes.

The only exception is if you live in desert or desert-like regions where the air is very dry. In the U.S., this usually refers to New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada which are the 3 lowest humidity states.

In these locations humidity tends to run the 20s or the low 30s.

This is where you may need to help the plant out.

You can mist the plant, use a pebble tray or get a humidifier.

How Often to Water Philodendron Temptation

The Philodendron Temptation needs moderate watering. This comes out to around once every week.

However, your watering schedule will adjust according to the weather.

During the hotter days of summer, you’ll likely see yourself watering the plant 2 or even 3 times a week depending on how hot it gets in your area.

In winter, you may only water once every 2 or 3 weeks.

Therefore, it is never a good idea to use a fixed watering schedule. Instead, adjust how often you water based on the weather.

This is why the best way to water the Philodendron Temptation is to allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry between waterings.

Never water before then.

Instead, always check the soil before you water. You can stick your finger into the soil and feel how dry it is at 2 inches deep.

If the soil feels dry, it is time to water.

But if it feels moist or wet at that depth, don’t water. Wait a few days then test the soil again.

This will ensure that you don’t overwater the plant.

The reason this is very important is that the Philodendron Temptation is susceptible to overwatering and root rot.

Therefore, it is always better to stay on the dry side.

Never let the soil feel wet or soggy in the surface. If it does, then there’s a high likelihood you’re overwatering the plant.

You can likewise check the leaves once in a while.

Their color can give you tips as well.

Soft, yellow leaves that can even get mushy means overwatering. On the other hand, dry, brown or even crispy leaves means the plant is underwatered.

Philodendron Temptation Potting Soil

The Philodendron Temptation needs well-draining potting soil that has good aeriation. It prefers soil pH between 5.0 to 6.0.

Note that well-draining soil does not mean the soil just drains all the moisture.

Instead, it holds on to some water to keep the roots hydrated. But it will quickly get rid of the excess liquid, so the roots don’t end up sitting in water for very long periods of time.

This prevents waterlogging and overwatering.

And in doing so, it let you avoid root rot.

This is also why you should never use heavy soils or any mix that’s designed to retain moisture. This kind of soil will work for water-loving plants. But they’re very harmful for the Philodendron Temptation.

The excess moisture will cause the roots to suffocate because they won’t be able to breathe due to all the extra moisture the soil is holding.

If this state lasts for too long, the roots will die from suffocation, and you’re left with rotting roots after a while.

This is why always choose well-draining soil for the plant.

While there are many different options out there, the simplest way to get the right kind of soil for the Philodendron Temptation is to pick up a bag of Aroid Mix.

You can find it in online plant shops as well as some nurseries.

Of course, you can make your own Aroid mix at home as well with just a few ingredients. I do this myself since you can use the soil for other members of the Araceae Family.

This includes philodendrons, alocasias, anthuriums, peace lilies, monsteras, pothos, aglaonemas and more.

Here’s one I like to use with great success.

1 part potting mix
1 part perlite
1 part orchid bark
½ part horticultural charcoal

The potting soil will hold some moisture while the perlite, bark and charcoal provide good drainage.

Additionally, the bark and charcoal are chunky in nature which not only increase drainage but also allows air to easily pass through the soil to reach the roots.

Fertilizer

Use a balanced fertilizer once a month during spring and summer.

The plant will appreciate the nutrients which will allow it grow faster and produce more leaves.

Choose a fertilizer that also has micronutrients. This will ensure that the plant gets all the important nutrients it needs.

If you notice pale colored leaves, check your fertilizer for calcium and magnesium. Deficiencies of these nutrients will cause these symptoms in philodendrons.

The most important thing about fertilizer is never to overuse it.

Too much can damage the plant because commercial fertilizers contain salt. So, when you feed the plant more, you’re not only giving it more nutrients but also more salt.

The problems is plants hate salts. This is why many of them don’t do well near the beach or ocean. It is also why they get leaf discoloration with hard waters or highly mineralized tap water.

When too many salts accumulate in the soil, it becomes toxic to the roots and can damage them. You’ll also see yellow leaves start to develop.

Pruning

The Philodendron Temptation will grow to around 3 feet tall. It will likewise get bushy if you let it grow out.

And you’ll less lots of lance shaped leaves develop.

How it ultimately looks will depend a lot on the way it grows. If you give it a support to climb, you’ll see lots of leaves pointing down or in some angle downwards.

They will look like a roof shingles lined up together.

Meanwhile, some people will keep them in pots. And if you let the plant grow out this way, the stems and leaves will sprawl on the pot and are area around it.

And you’ll end up with something that looks like a bunch of leaves piled together.

In both cases, you will need to prune to maintain their looks. You can trim the plant to shape it and adjust how full it gets.

How to Propagate Philodendron Temptation

Philodendron Temptation propagation is done through stem cuttings. This makes it easy to propagate and grow new, young plants.

Since the plant has many stems, you can also grow many new plants at once.

The best time to propagate is during early spring. This gives the new plant an entire growing season to develop rapidly before the cold weather arrives.

Here’s how to propagate the Philodendron Temptation from stem cuttings.

Take healthy stem cuttings. Make sure that each cutting has at least 1-2 nodes on it. It should also have several leaves.
Sterilize a pair of scissors or pruning shears, the cut the stem just under a node.
Plant the cutting into a pot with well-draining soil.
Water the soil and place pot in bright, indirect light with good humidity.

It usually takes about a month (4-6 weeks) for the cuttings to develop enough roots. These roots will also start establishing themselves onto the soil.

How to Repot or Transplant Philodendron Temptation

The Philodendron Temptation only needs repotting every 2 or 3 years.

Note that this is just a guideline.

And the best way to know is to check the plant.

The best way to know when its time to repot is to look under the pot. If you see roots poking out from the drainage holes, then it is time to move to a larger container.

Similarly, if roots start popping up from the surface of the soil or through the creases between the soil and the pot, it is time to repot.

The best time to repot is during spring. This will let the plant quickly grow after repotting.

Use a container that is 2 inches larger than the current one.

Don’t jump sizes as this can lead to overwatering.

It can also cause the roots to grow too much. As a result, the plant will focus more energy on developing the roots instead of the stems and leaves.

That’s not something you want it to do.

In addition to moving to a larger pot, also refresh the soil by changing the old, spent soil with fresh, well-draining soil.

Is It Toxic/Poisonous to Humans, Cats & Dogs

Yes, the Philodendron Temptation is toxic to people and pets. Every part of the plant is toxic including the leaves, stems, flowers and roots.

They contain calcium oxalate crystals which get activated and become poisonous upon ingestion.

Therefore, it is a good idea to keep dogs, cats and even young children who may chew or eat parts of the plant away.

Philodendron Temptation Problems & Troubleshooting

Pests

The Philodendron Temptation generally stays pest free. But it is not immune to pests.

Therefore, it can experience bugs that can mess with the plant.

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

These like to feed on the sap of the plant which makes them dangerous as they grow in number. So, you want to get rid of them when there’s still on a few of them.

This means it much easier.

They become a headache once they turn into infestations.

Additionally, they are able to weaken the plant significantly when they grow in number because they rob it of its nutrients and moisture.

Diseases

Like diseases the Philodendron Temptation does not experience a lot of this.

But it is harder to control man-made issues.

Overwatering is usually the main thing to watch out for. That’s because it can cause root rot. Additionally, it can lead to bacterial and fungal infections as well.

So, be mindful of how you water and when you water.