Worth rescuing?
I've been offered this plant at my workplace to try and help it recover. It looks like a philodendron of some sort.
It's winter where I am so I know it's not the best time to repot it - what can I do in the meantime?
Right now it's in the lobby of my workplace near the door where it's probably cold from the door constantly being opened. I can at least bring it to my office which has a south-facing window.
Any tips appreciated! TIA #gregfam!
#plantfirstaid #plantrescue #planthelp #helpneeded #philodendron #plantid #greggang #plantfriendsarethebestfriends
It's winter where I am so I know it's not the best time to repot it - what can I do in the meantime?
Right now it's in the lobby of my workplace near the door where it's probably cold from the door constantly being opened. I can at least bring it to my office which has a south-facing window.
Any tips appreciated! TIA #gregfam!
#plantfirstaid #plantrescue #planthelp #helpneeded #philodendron #plantid #greggang #plantfriendsarethebestfriends

I know you think you split Leaf Philo looks bad and needs help. But I want to reassure you it looks okay. When I zoom in the 2 newer leaves look fine.
I'm going to give you my recommendations to keep your plant healthy. I've got 10 of these that I have raised from seed.
1. Right now your plant is dormant, that's the reason for its yellowing leaves on the bottom. It's okay it's just resting. To keep it happy during this time. Don't use any fertilizer and don't water as often. It's resting now and does not need much.
2. Relax and don't panic! This is very important because a lot of people will panic and then do everything they can to make their plant 'pretty' again. Which leads to a lot of stress for the plant and a decline in its health. Just allow it to rest.
3. Add a moss pole, they really benefit from this their leaves are very heavy for their stems and will droop from their weight. They are natural climbers and will really appreciate a moss or coir pole. That will replicate the trees they climb up in nature and give them something to attached their Ariel roots to. I just stick a pole in their pots and attach their long stems with twine, easy peasy.
4. You're right about the repot and not to do it in winter. Living in the cold π₯ΆβοΈ. The stress during her dormancy would be bad. So good job on that!
5. They like light but never in a window with direct sunlight. A south facing window is only okay for her is it is filtered by a sheer curtain. In nature they climb trees and are protected by the trees canopy. So while light is good, direct sun will hurt her. So make sure if she is in your south facing window she is off to the side or around 6 feet away.
6. Be careful not to overwater, less is more. They are actually a bit drought tolerant allow the soil to mostly dry out between watering. If in doubt skip the water and check again later. Always use your finger to check. It's a bigger pot so stick your finger all the way in the soil if it feel cool or damp wait to water! π§π¦
7. I would clean her up a bit and trim off the dead leaves. She doesn't need them anymore they are no benefit to her.
8. Try to avoid big changes to her right now since she's dormant.
I'm going to give you my recommendations to keep your plant healthy. I've got 10 of these that I have raised from seed.
1. Right now your plant is dormant, that's the reason for its yellowing leaves on the bottom. It's okay it's just resting. To keep it happy during this time. Don't use any fertilizer and don't water as often. It's resting now and does not need much.
2. Relax and don't panic! This is very important because a lot of people will panic and then do everything they can to make their plant 'pretty' again. Which leads to a lot of stress for the plant and a decline in its health. Just allow it to rest.
3. Add a moss pole, they really benefit from this their leaves are very heavy for their stems and will droop from their weight. They are natural climbers and will really appreciate a moss or coir pole. That will replicate the trees they climb up in nature and give them something to attached their Ariel roots to. I just stick a pole in their pots and attach their long stems with twine, easy peasy.
4. You're right about the repot and not to do it in winter. Living in the cold π₯ΆβοΈ. The stress during her dormancy would be bad. So good job on that!
5. They like light but never in a window with direct sunlight. A south facing window is only okay for her is it is filtered by a sheer curtain. In nature they climb trees and are protected by the trees canopy. So while light is good, direct sun will hurt her. So make sure if she is in your south facing window she is off to the side or around 6 feet away.
6. Be careful not to overwater, less is more. They are actually a bit drought tolerant allow the soil to mostly dry out between watering. If in doubt skip the water and check again later. Always use your finger to check. It's a bigger pot so stick your finger all the way in the soil if it feel cool or damp wait to water! π§π¦
7. I would clean her up a bit and trim off the dead leaves. She doesn't need them anymore they are no benefit to her.
8. Try to avoid big changes to her right now since she's dormant.
@ballondusoleil depending on the last time it was repotted & if the heater stays on in the building at night. I wonder if you could repot and check the root situation? Make sure everybodyβs nice and white or white-ish. And a grow light maybe? Just since itβs winter and these big guys love their light. Best of luck!! I canβt wait to see the plant bounce back in your careπ€©π±π₯³
@Prentyce Thanks! I'm hoping the change of scene will help this plant out. Will probably need to take it home though to check its root situation - no supplies at work for this as the previous plant person has left and the remaining interested staff divided up the care of some of the plants.
@ballondusoleil it's a Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum. Used to be called Philodendron selloum. It's probably a lack of light, overwatering or cold problem. Check for rotten roots, and just put it near a window but make sure the temperature doesn't swing too much
Thanks @Araceae - knowing the plant type is helpful! I was just reading about it and I'm glad to know the stem is normal. I thought it might need to be chopped & propped! After I check the roots I'm planning to keep it in my office. Looking forward to building my oasis there!
@ballondusoleil
Hi! It's looks like this plant, and some of your other plants, are sitting on a cold, ceramic -tiled floor. That could be part of the problem.
Any kind of draft is not welcomed... especially a cold one!
It's really sweet that you want to try to revive her.
Best of luck... β€οΈπΉπ€
Hi! It's looks like this plant, and some of your other plants, are sitting on a cold, ceramic -tiled floor. That could be part of the problem.
Any kind of draft is not welcomed... especially a cold one!
It's really sweet that you want to try to revive her.
Best of luck... β€οΈπΉπ€
@ballondusoleil oh my gosh I am so excited to see it bounce back with you!! I canβt wait to see your office oasis as well, congrats π±π₯³π±β¨
Before repotting it I would bring it to your office bc that cold is making it worse and stressed. I would bring it home to recover until spring time(if you plan on bringing it back to work). But once it has recovered from the stress of being in the cold then I would repot. Right now it's in a very delicate state and a report could be too much for it.
This plant is a #PestControl nightmare. I have trued it mulgiple times and each one got pests. This is on my #NeverAgain list of plants because of it being a pest magnet.
@CutePolypremum thanks, Joanie! I think this plant has probably been through a lot in the past year! Hope I can help it get healthy again!
@SuperbRaspfern thanks so much, Shannon! Glad my novice instincts overlap with your expertise. I have a moss pole at home that I can spare for this plant - should I wait til spring to repot and add it then or will it be ok to add during winter? I feel like it would be disruptive. Also I think it needs fresh soil.
@AwesomePlants pests are a pain! I've noticed the plants in my workplace tend to be lucky and not attract pests. I'm wondering if the air conditioning helps keep the humidity more stable? My plants at home though... ugh, at least a handful sprouted pests with the change from fall to winter. Or they died, again from the seasonal change = the increased thermostat temp dried them out faster than usual π’
You would be fine adding it now just put it toward the center and sort of twist it through the root ball gently, just don't force it. The roots will sort of work their way right around it, it sounds counterintuitive but guiding it in gently and not forcing it through the roots really won't disrupt the roots much. If you meet too much resistance than try again a couple of inches away. Just don't do the whole repot yet wait until winter is over. Then start with the fresh soil.
I have not found them to attract pests any more than any other plant. I just wanted to address that since I saw some other comments on that.
Weak and sick plants attract pests. It's not so much about the plant as it is the plants care.
I think the reason people have more issues at home is that they are always adding new plants. Each new plant has the potential to have hitchhikers. Work places usually don't add more plants they stick with one or two. So there is less potential to add unwelcome guests.
Just my 2 cents.
I have not found them to attract pests any more than any other plant. I just wanted to address that since I saw some other comments on that.
Weak and sick plants attract pests. It's not so much about the plant as it is the plants care.
I think the reason people have more issues at home is that they are always adding new plants. Each new plant has the potential to have hitchhikers. Work places usually don't add more plants they stick with one or two. So there is less potential to add unwelcome guests.
Just my 2 cents.
@SuperbRaspfern thanks so much, Shannon! Here's hoping I can get this plant to bounce back - I know it's a bit of a waiting game but I'm excited!
@KrunchyWrapz thanks! I brought it to my office today - figured it would be away from the front door and get better light for now until I can repot it in the spring.
@SuperbRaspfern
Hi Shannon!
I woke up thinking about, for the first time ever and before even reading your post, of course!!!
How else would new pests and diseases come into the home?
As hitch hikers on newly purchased plants!
Brava, young lady π€©πππ
Hi Shannon!
I woke up thinking about, for the first time ever and before even reading your post, of course!!!
How else would new pests and diseases come into the home?
As hitch hikers on newly purchased plants!
Brava, young lady π€©πππ
@ballondusoleil
Sounds like a great move Geraldine π.
Your plant friend is thanking you already because with the help of Shannon's expertise, she going to become a gorgeous, healthy specimen!
Sounds like a great move Geraldine π.
Your plant friend is thanking you already because with the help of Shannon's expertise, she going to become a gorgeous, healthy specimen!
@SuperbRaspfern
Good morning Shannon π»π
I've mentioned this to you before but have to formally thank you now for sharing so much of your knowledge, experience, and love that you've obtained over the years, with us.
I screenshoot most of your comments and advice, having discovered recently that it can easily be done uploading on my Android phone pictures taken from my tablet.
My only regret is not learning about this technique sooner.
You wouldn't, by chance, have compiled a phamplet, or something, of your plant remedies and experiences over the years? π€π π€π€π€
I've been following you on Instagram for several months but haven't seen any plant posts from you yet. Is there another username you go under?
Wishing you a swell weekend... Joanie πͺ΄ποΈπ§
PS... Your Oasis is simply remarkable... gorgeous
Good morning Shannon π»π
I've mentioned this to you before but have to formally thank you now for sharing so much of your knowledge, experience, and love that you've obtained over the years, with us.
I screenshoot most of your comments and advice, having discovered recently that it can easily be done uploading on my Android phone pictures taken from my tablet.
My only regret is not learning about this technique sooner.
You wouldn't, by chance, have compiled a phamplet, or something, of your plant remedies and experiences over the years? π€π π€π€π€
I've been following you on Instagram for several months but haven't seen any plant posts from you yet. Is there another username you go under?
Wishing you a swell weekend... Joanie πͺ΄ποΈπ§
PS... Your Oasis is simply remarkable... gorgeous
@CutePolypremum π
@CutePolypremum No, I used to try to write more on Instagram, but insta is not ideal because it limits the amount of words I can write. I have moved on to only making reels of my plants. Trying to separate plants from paintings.
I would never want to give a treatment without fully explaining myself, and also explaining why so people can truly learn.
But, my strong suit is NOT technology in any way shape or form.
If anyone knows of a way to actually share my long winded treatments and explanations in a sort of catalogue form I would love to do that for others. I do think it would be quite helpful to other people. I really just have no knowledge what so ever on on to go about that.
I have learned that on instagram you can favorite a person and their posts will come up first on your feed. I'm pretty proud of myself for figuring that out and doing it with my daughter's posts. I actually taught her how to do something on social media! Amazing, I told her see an old dog can learn new tricks π my daughter, also told me that followers and friends see your posts, but the reels go out to people who do not follow you. So for you to see the plant reels you may have to go to my instagram page to see all the posts and reels compiled. Although I must admit it's not organized because isn't just makes a catalogue of everything and I have so many plants posts that sometimes even I get frustrated trying to find them! Ugggh... Sorry I can't be of much help there because I simply suck at social media, but I am trying π₯
Most of the things I share are just stored in my head so many are not actually written down.
I was a parts clerk for a very long time with the airlines. To this day have the part numbers to this day stuck in there and that was 20 years ago. Mechanics would wait in line for me and not let other people help them because they knew I had all the random info in my head. π
Liscense plates, DL number, SSN of family, drivers license etc. it's all just in there.
It comes in quite handy, I'm not complaining it makes things easy for me.
Your idea is a wonderful one I do have books for my soil recipes etc. just so I have a history of what worked great and what did not.
My ideal situation would be this:
Someone has a problem and reaches out like on here.
They would have direct access to the information immediately or when needed.
But also communication for questions, because questions are essential to learning. And, my ultimate goal is to teach others so they too have the information necessary for success.
Like, "you can give a man a fish and feed him for a day, but if you teach a man to fish he is fed for a lifetime"
I would never want to give a treatment without fully explaining myself, and also explaining why so people can truly learn.
But, my strong suit is NOT technology in any way shape or form.
If anyone knows of a way to actually share my long winded treatments and explanations in a sort of catalogue form I would love to do that for others. I do think it would be quite helpful to other people. I really just have no knowledge what so ever on on to go about that.
I have learned that on instagram you can favorite a person and their posts will come up first on your feed. I'm pretty proud of myself for figuring that out and doing it with my daughter's posts. I actually taught her how to do something on social media! Amazing, I told her see an old dog can learn new tricks π my daughter, also told me that followers and friends see your posts, but the reels go out to people who do not follow you. So for you to see the plant reels you may have to go to my instagram page to see all the posts and reels compiled. Although I must admit it's not organized because isn't just makes a catalogue of everything and I have so many plants posts that sometimes even I get frustrated trying to find them! Ugggh... Sorry I can't be of much help there because I simply suck at social media, but I am trying π₯
Most of the things I share are just stored in my head so many are not actually written down.
I was a parts clerk for a very long time with the airlines. To this day have the part numbers to this day stuck in there and that was 20 years ago. Mechanics would wait in line for me and not let other people help them because they knew I had all the random info in my head. π
Liscense plates, DL number, SSN of family, drivers license etc. it's all just in there.
It comes in quite handy, I'm not complaining it makes things easy for me.
Your idea is a wonderful one I do have books for my soil recipes etc. just so I have a history of what worked great and what did not.
My ideal situation would be this:
Someone has a problem and reaches out like on here.
They would have direct access to the information immediately or when needed.
But also communication for questions, because questions are essential to learning. And, my ultimate goal is to teach others so they too have the information necessary for success.
Like, "you can give a man a fish and feed him for a day, but if you teach a man to fish he is fed for a lifetime"
@SuperbRaspfern
Hello again and I appreciate your quick response π.
I'm definitely not a techie either or a person like you who can pull up detailed information, but there are some other talents. π Lol π
How can I find your reels? Are they on Instagram? If so...not...where and how can I find them?
Thanks π
Do I sound like a desperate plant mom? π¨
Well...I am and also verrrrry curious! π€π§. And, mostly grateful for any help.
Hello again and I appreciate your quick response π.
I'm definitely not a techie either or a person like you who can pull up detailed information, but there are some other talents. π Lol π
How can I find your reels? Are they on Instagram? If so...not...where and how can I find them?
Thanks π
Do I sound like a desperate plant mom? π¨
Well...I am and also verrrrry curious! π€π§. And, mostly grateful for any help.
@SuperbRaspfern
Please forgive me.
I've developed a bad habit of reading posts, answers, and comments from Greggers too quickly instead of slowly. Then, usually have to go back and re-read after I've commented, responded.
That's what I just did and realized that you already gave me the Instagram information! π±ππ₯΄π€£
So, Shannon, I don't have time to really dive into your Instagram page now so am gonna screenshot your answer, explore, and go down your special rabbit hole piece by piece.
I would also like to figure out how to somehow do that with # Seymour. He's been my "secret "mentor since my plant journey began last March, 2024. What I mean by secret is, he doesn't know that.
I'd like and need to add you also! β¨
Please forgive me.
I've developed a bad habit of reading posts, answers, and comments from Greggers too quickly instead of slowly. Then, usually have to go back and re-read after I've commented, responded.
That's what I just did and realized that you already gave me the Instagram information! π±ππ₯΄π€£
So, Shannon, I don't have time to really dive into your Instagram page now so am gonna screenshot your answer, explore, and go down your special rabbit hole piece by piece.
I would also like to figure out how to somehow do that with # Seymour. He's been my "secret "mentor since my plant journey began last March, 2024. What I mean by secret is, he doesn't know that.
I'd like and need to add you also! β¨
@CutePolypremum Haha, no problem!ππ
@SuperbRaspfern
Yikes π¬
Me again...
FYI...I just now edited the post comment I sent you!
And... isn't it absolutely awesome and a miracle when we can teach our tech savvy kids something? That's cool about your daughter.
I recently shared with my eldest son about how to use voice messaging when composing a text on his phone. He's been using phone dictation for years.
On his first voice message to me, it began: "Hi mom comma".
Yikes π¬
Me again...
FYI...I just now edited the post comment I sent you!
And... isn't it absolutely awesome and a miracle when we can teach our tech savvy kids something? That's cool about your daughter.
I recently shared with my eldest son about how to use voice messaging when composing a text on his phone. He's been using phone dictation for years.
On his first voice message to me, it began: "Hi mom comma".