5 Mistakes Philodendron Parents Keep Making
So, you bought a philodendron. Great choice! These leafy legends are awesome houseplants—hardy, pretty, and impossible not to love. You probably thought, “How hard could this be?” And honestly? Not very. But somehow, even the most well-intentioned plant parents manage to mess it up.
Don’t feel bad. We’ve all been there—hovering with the watering can like a helicopter parent or shoving it in a dark corner and hoping for the best. But if your philodendron is looking more sad salad than lush jungle, it’s time for some tough love.
Let’s go through 5 of the most common philodendron parenting mistakes—so you can stop doing them and get back to watching those beautiful, heart-shaped leaves flourish.
1. Watering It Like It’s Thirsty for Attention
Look, philodendrons are tropical, not dramatic. They don’t need to be soaked every other day like you’re trying to drown their sorrows. In fact, overwatering is the number one way to kill your plant faster than you can say “root rot.”
Here’s the deal: philodendrons like their soil to dry out a bit between waterings. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil—if it still feels damp, walk away. If it’s dry? Water away, but make sure the pot drains properly. Otherwise, you’re basically turning their roots into a swamp. And nobody likes swamp feet.
TL;DR: Your philodendron is not crying for water. You are.
2. Giving It the Wrong Kind of Light (aka Plant Neglect in Disguise)
So many people toss their philodendrons in the darkest corner of the room and wonder why it’s not thriving. Newsflash: low light doesn’t mean no light.
Philodendrons are pretty chill about lighting, but they still need some brightness to photosynthesize and grow. Bright, indirect light is ideal. Too little, and the plant gets leggy, droopy, and weird. Too much direct sun, and you’ll scorch those gorgeous leaves like overcooked kale.
Window with filtered light? Perfect. North-facing room with zero sun? Not so much.
Also, if your philodendron used to be full and lush and now it’s stretched out like it’s reaching for the heavens—that’s its way of begging for more light. It’s not praying. It’s desperate.
3. Letting It Sit in the Wrong Pot (No Offense to That Cute Ceramic One)
We get it. That pot you found at the flea market is adorable. But if it doesn’t have drainage holes, you’re basically giving your plant a slow death sentence. Moisture builds up. Roots suffocate. Next thing you know, your philodendron is melting like it saw the Ark of the Covenant.
This is one of the easiest fixes: always use a pot with proper drainage. Bonus points for using a chunky, well-draining soil mix too. Think perlite, orchid bark, peat moss—not just soggy potting soil from a bag that’s been sitting in your garage since 2020.
And for the love of foliage, don’t pot it in something way too big. A massive pot holds extra moisture, which can lead to—you guessed it—root rot. Keep it cozy. Not claustrophobic, but definitely not swimming in dirt either.
4. Ignoring Humidity Like It’s a Suggestion
Philodendrons are tropical plants. You know what that means? They don’t like dry air. Especially not the kind pumped out by your heater in winter or your AC in summer.
Now, most philodendrons can survive in average home humidity, but “survive” isn’t the same as “thrive.” If you really want lush growth and those big, glossy leaves? Bump up the humidity.
No, you don’t need to turn your living room into a rainforest café (although honestly, how cool would that be?). A simple humidifier nearby does wonders. Or group your plants together to create a mini humidity bubble. Even a pebble tray can help a little.
If your plant’s edges are turning brown and crispy, it’s not being dramatic. It’s just dry. Give it some moisture love.
5. Forgetting to Feed It Like It’s on a Perpetual Juice Cleanse
Okay, we need to talk about fertilizer. Just because your plant looks fine doesn’t mean it’s not hungry. Philodendrons are fast growers, especially in spring and summer, and they use up nutrients quickly. If you never feed them, they’ll start looking tired, pale, and sluggish—like they stayed out all night but didn’t have fun.
You don’t need anything fancy—a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer once a month during the growing season is more than enough. Skip the feedings in winter when the plant slows down and doesn’t need a growth boost.
Think of it like giving your plant a green smoothie. It won’t complain without it, but wow does it perk up with one.
So, What Have We Learned?
Philodendrons are forgiving—bless them—but they’re not invincible. Most of the time, if yours is struggling, it’s probably trying to tell you, “Please stop loving me to death.”
Let’s recap, shall we?
Don’t drown it.
Give it light (but not a sunburn).
Use the right pot.
Add a little humidity.
Feed it like you care.
If you do all that and still end up with sad leaves? Don’t panic. Plants go through phases. Yellowing here and there is normal. A little drama in between growth spurts? Totally fine. Just pay attention and don’t ghost your plant for weeks.
And if all else fails—propagate it and try again. Because who doesn’t love a fresh start and some free baby plants?
