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Philodendron 'Congo'

4.8 out of 5 (8 experiences)

Large, lush leaves

Survivor

About Philodendron 'Congo'

Philodendrons grow aerial roots that grip the bark of trees, allowing them to grow over 20 feet tall! Their leaves change shape as they climb and can grow larger than a dinner plate. Fossils show Philodendrons growing as far back as 30 million years ago when South America was still connected to Antarctica! ❄️

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Philodendron tatei subsp. melanochlorum

Genus

Philodendron

Family

Araceae

Order

Alismatales

Also known as

philodendron tatei and Tatei ssp melanochlorum

How to care for Philodendron 'Congo'

💦 Water

How often to water your Philodendron 'Congo'

Philodendron 'Congo' needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Philodendron 'Congo' in your home

Philodendron 'Congo' can tolerate being far from a window and light source.

Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Philodendron 'Congo' in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Philodendron 'Congo'

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Philodendron 'Congo': repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Philodendron 'Congo' after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Philodendron

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Philodendron 'Congo' prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Philodendron 'Congo' Water Frequency →

Philodendron 'Congo' Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Philodendron 'Congo' can tolerate being far from a window and light source. Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Philodendron 'Congo' Light Requirements →

Philodendron 'Congo' Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Philodendron 'Congo' is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

💨 Humidity

Philodendron 'Congo' prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Philodendron 'Congo' Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Philodendron 'Congo' does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Philodendron 'Congo' →

Best Pots for Philodendron 'Congo' →

When and How to Successfully Repot Philodendron 'Congo' →

What Are Healthy Philodendron 'Congo' Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Philodendron 'Congo' should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Philodendron 'Congo' →

❄️ Dormancy

Philodendron 'Congo' does not have a typical pattern of dormancy. If you notice their growth slowing down substantially, double check that they are getting enough sunlight and water to thrive!

🌎 Native Region

Philodendron 'Congo' is native to Central, South America, and the Caribbean.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Philodendron 'Congo' can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Philodendron 'Congo' Temperature Tolerance →

Philodendron 'Congo' Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Philodendron 'Congo' →

When to Plant Philodendron 'Congo' →

How to Plant Philodendron 'Congo' →

Where to Plant Philodendron 'Congo' →

Winter Care for Philodendron 'Congo' →

Best Companion Plants for Philodendron 'Congo' →

Is Philodendron 'Congo' a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

Philodendron 'Congo' can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:

Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.

How to Propagate Philodendron 'Congo' →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Philodendron 'Congo', since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

Common Bugs Affecting Philodendron 'Congo' →

What Eats Philodendron 'Congo'? →

Care Summary for Philodendron 'Congo'

Philodendron 'Congo'

Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 6ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Large, lush leaves 8

Survivor 5

Fast grower 5

@@PinguDog

9 Plants

1,919 XP

01/14/2022

Such a beautiful plant with lush green/red foliage. Can’t propagate but easy enough to care for. Rojo Congo likes humidity/warmth as it is a tropical plant and likes bright indirect light. A great plant for intermediate plant parents and

Large, lush leaves

Fast grower