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Fat Boy Philodendron

5.0 out of 5 (4 experiences)

Survivor

Fast grower

About Fat Boy Philodendron

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 martianum

Genus

Philodendron

Family

Araceae

Order

Alismatales

Also known as

Philodendron 'Fat Boy', Philodendron Fat Boy and Philodendron Green Fatboy

How to care for Fat Boy Philodendron

💦 Water

How often to water your Fat Boy Philodendron

Fat Boy Philodendron 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 Fat Boy Philodendron in your home

Fat Boy Philodendron 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 Fat Boy Philodendron in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Fat Boy Philodendron

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Fat Boy Philodendron: 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 Fat Boy Philodendron after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Philodendron

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Fat Boy Philodendron 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.

Fat Boy Philodendron Water Frequency →

Fat Boy Philodendron Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Fat Boy Philodendron 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 🏡.

Fat Boy Philodendron Light Requirements →

Fat Boy Philodendron Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Fat Boy Philodendron 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

Fat Boy Philodendron 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.

Fat Boy Philodendron Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Fat Boy Philodendron 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 Fat Boy Philodendron →

Best Pots for Fat Boy Philodendron →

When and How to Successfully Repot Fat Boy Philodendron →

What Are Healthy Fat Boy Philodendron Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Fat Boy Philodendron 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 Fat Boy Philodendron →

❄️ Dormancy

Fat Boy Philodendron 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

Fat Boy Philodendron is native to Central, South America, and the Caribbean.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

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

Fat Boy Philodendron Temperature Tolerance →

Fat Boy Philodendron Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Fat Boy Philodendron →

When to Plant Fat Boy Philodendron →

How to Plant Fat Boy Philodendron →

Where to Plant Fat Boy Philodendron →

Winter Care for Fat Boy Philodendron →

Best Companion Plants for Fat Boy Philodendron →

Is Fat Boy Philodendron a Weed? →

🍂 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 Fat Boy Philodendron, 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.