What Is Philodendron Billietiae?
The Philodendron billietiae is a perennial plant that originates from the rainforest of Brazil. It belongs to the Araceae family, and it is commonly known as the snake plant or bunny ears because of its typical leaf arrangement.
This plant has gained popularity in recent years, and you can find it in most indoor gardens, including homes, offices, and hotels.
The plant’s size depends on the growing conditions, though it usually reaches an average of one to three meters in height and 11 to 45 centimeters in width.
It is best grown as a hanging basket or mounted on walls to support its weighty head full of leaves – for those who do not have much space. The dangling Philodendron can grow up to a maximum of three meters but will retain its lush green appearance.
The oldest plant has been documented at 46 years old and grows in Vilnius, Lithuania – it is known as “Grandpa.”
This plant has grown large enough and wide enough to be almost a tree. People have used it for shade and have even climbed on it. The leaves of this particular philodendron are much smaller than those you would find in other plants because they are part of the cultivar ‘Ophiopogon.’
Philodendron Billietiae Care & Maintenance
The Philodendron Billietiae is considered a pretty easy plant to grow as long as it is properly cared for. When you buy the plant, always ensure that the soil has been kept moist since the packaging process removes all moisture to protect the roots.
Fill your pot with about 3-4 inches of Miracle Grow All Purpose Potting soil. This will serve as both a growing medium for your plants and a drainage system. Next, fill up the rest of your container with more Miracle Grow potting soil.
The top few inches should be loose and free of rocks or other debris. Set Up Your Water System Before adding any water or fertilizer (which we will discuss shortly).
Light Requirements:
The light requirements for this plant are not too demanding. However, it grows best when placed in a spot with indirect sunlight and needs protection from direct sun rays.
So make sure there is sufficient lighting in its current location if you plan on relocating it – it can grow under fluorescent or incandescent lighting, but no direct sunlight should be shone on its leaves.
It’s important to consider how much natural light your indoor space receives before choosing an appropriate plant- which you can also use as an indicator to gauge whether your home has enough natural light during the day.
Water Requirements:
Water your Philodendron Billietiae 2 times a week. Avoid over-watering it as this can make the roots rot and kill the plant. Allow 10 inches away between the soil level and the actual water line so that the pot’s base does not get wet.
It would help if you also were watering only when necessary because having too much moisture in its leaves makes it vulnerable to diseases and pests.
The Indicator of When to Water:
Because this plant is usually placed on tables or other high places, you can check your watering schedule by just checking if the soil is parched. If it still appears wet or moist, make sure to water thoroughly.
Never leave your plant sitting in water for more than 24 hours – even if you are away from home, bring it back to room temperature before leaving again.
Consistency is important when caring for plants!
Soil Requirements:
You can use 2 different kinds of soil to plant your Philodendron Billietiae in. The first is the Miracle Grow All Purpose Potting Soil which I have mentioned above.
Or you can also choose a specialized potting soil for carnivorous plants such as peat moss or coir fiber.
These options are more expensive but only provide drainage and are great for those who want their plant’s roots to be controlled and restricted – especially if they plan on growing it in a container with no drainage holes.
However, these organic fertilizers require regular watering, so adding too much could kill the roots by facilitating rot. You won’t need any fertilizer until after a couple of months. At this point, start with half-strength fertilizer and slowly progress to full strength.
Temperature and Humidity Requirements:
The Philodendron Billietiae does not do well in cold temperatures. Try to keep the room between 70-90 degrees Fahrenheit so that its leaves and stems do not die off.
The ideal lighting temperature for this plant is between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. It should rarely be exposed to wet soil, but when you water, make sure it drains properly into the drainage system of your pot (as long as you have one).
Overall, a humidity rate of 40%-50% is perfect for the survival of this plant. Try placing it by a humidifier or near a window which will allow natural evaporation inside your home. Avoid using any cool misted or ultrasonic misters – these can easily spread harmful bacteria or fungus to your plant.
The leaves of this species are also susceptible to yellowing – usually starting at the tips and extending towards the base- if it is exposed to low levels of light.
So consider working with a grower or look for locations that will increase its natural lighting exposure. A great example would be terrariums, indoor gardens, etc., and will serve to control necessary humidity levels for the plant while providing enough light for its survival.
If you can’t do that, try moving it beside a window that receives relatively strong sunlight but no direct sun rays through most parts of the day.
Fertilizing Requirements:
When the time comes, you will need to start fertilizing your plant. We highly recommend using Miracle-Gro All Purpose Plant Food – especially if you have a low light environment for the plant in its current location.
However, this specific fertilizer is not ideal for Philodendrons. It is best used with other plants which typically grow under these conditions – namely African Violets, Bromeliads, Easter Cacti, and Carnivorous Plants such as Pitcher Plants or Nepenthes.
Most manufacturers don’t recommend it for carnivorous plants because it contains too much phosphorous, which can cause algae growth in terrariums. Still, it serves as an excellent choice when caring for your Philodendron Billietiae.
The time of day when you feed your plant is also important. We recommend doing so in the morning or at night, not right after work! This will ensure that it has some time to absorb the nutrients from its soil and help any excess fertilizer drain into the drainage system of its container.
Potting Requirements:
If your plant has outgrown its container and you feel like it is time to report, just follow the steps below.
First, cut away any dead or dying roots. Then gently remove your plant from the pot by cutting through the drainage holes along the side of the pot with a pair of scissors.
After that, place these roots in water for at least 10 minutes (make sure they are not submerged fully).
Remember how I said this plant does best if buried under substrate? Well, now’s the chance! Fill in most of the top area of your new container using about 1-2 inches deep layer. Remember to pack down on this layer to avoid air pockets within it, promoting the growth of mold and rot.
Now, put your Philodendron into the container until only its top leaves are exposed. Try to push some substrate down between the gaps in between each leaf for more support if you can – this will ensure that the plant will stay upright within the pot until it starts to establish a stronger root system around it.
Then, place about 0.5-1 inch of clean soil on top so that all of the roots from your plant are covered and exposed properly. Press this down firmly above where your Philodendron is positioned so that not much air gets trapped in between it and the surface area of its new home.
Afterward, water thoroughly, but be careful not to overdo it – which could cause over-saturation. Now you should wait about two weeks before watering again and note that the soil will settle within a few days after being repotted.
If there is still some space between the surface area of your new soil and where your plant leaves begin, then place another small amount onto the top to ensure there are no air pockets – which can promote mold growth around it.
As long as you follow these steps, then your Philodendron Billietiae should use its roots to grab all of this new nutrition and water to start growing again! Just make sure that you don’t overwater or under-water your plant – for if either one occurs, it could cause irreversible damage (such as root rot) to occur!
Pruning Requirements :
Philodendrons are known for having the ability to grow vertically and even create “air roots” that then help them absorb nutrients from the air – which is what you have probably noticed if your plant was placed in a low light environment near a cold window. As long as this happens, you shouldn’t need to perform pruning on your plant.
However, if your Philodendron has outgrown its location and needs to be trimmed back (or even repotted), then read the steps below carefully to ensure that both of these actions don’t cause any damage.
First, remove your Philodendron from its container by cutting off any dead or dying roots with scissors. Then place it into the water for 10 minutes before proceeding with the rest of the steps.
Next, decide how much you want to cut and what type of shape you would like to give the bottom of your plant. This is where a lot of creativity can come into play! However, if you are looking for specific ideas, then take a look at our Philodendron Plant Guide for some suggestions.
Keep in mind that once you cut off any leaf or stem from your plant, it will not grow back – make sure this is the type of shape you want before proceeding with these steps!
After deciding on how much and how little to cut, then use a sharp pair of scissors to cut off any leaves or stems that you want to be removed. However, it is highly advisable to leave at least one set (one pair) of leaves intact on each section since they help protect the rest of the plant.
If you have a large plant that needs to be trimmed or cut down significantly, then consider cutting off one set of leaves from each section before moving onto the next – this will help keep your plant balanced.
Afterward, place your Philodendron back into its new container and press around each section so that they are firmly placed within it.
If there is extra room on the top surface area of your soil, then add in some more until the surface area surrounding these sections is level with the rest of it – like if you were layering cake!
Finally, water thoroughly and leave alone for about two weeks. During this time, check on it every day to ensure that any excess water gets absorbed by its new home and that water does not drip down onto your floor.
If this happens, then check the drainage holes to see if they need to be cleaned out – whether you have potting soil with large chunks in it or not.
Philodendron Billietiae Propagation:
Philodendron plants can be propagated by taking the leaves they produce (known as slips) and replanting them into soil or water.
If you are looking to expand your collection, try placing a few slips between pieces of wet paper towel inside a clear plastic bag to keep humidity levels high – make sure that you add more plant material as the number of new roots increases!
If you don’t want to wait for this long process or don’t have enough room in your home, consider purchasing a Philodendron from an online nursery or local store since they are fairly inexpensive and come with their own instruction manual.
In addition to this, many individuals have already grown out their new plant so all you’ll have to do is bring it home and place it in a location with enough light.
