If you’re looking for a houseplant that combines stunning looks with easy care, you’ve found it. The philodendron micans – Velvety green trailing vine is a favorite for good reason. Its heart-shaped leaves have a unique, shimmering texture that catches the light beautifully. This plant is perfect for a shelf or hanging basket where its vines can cascade down. It’s much more forgiving than some of its fussier cousins, making it ideal for beginners and experts alike.
Philodendron Micans – Velvety Green Trailing Vine
This plant, scientifically known as Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum, is native to Central America and the Caribbean. Its common name, Micans, comes from the Latin word for “glistening,” which perfectly describes its foliage. Each new leaf emerges with a bronze or coppery tint, slowly maturing to a deep, velvety green. The undersides often retain a reddish or purple hue, adding to its visual depth. It’s a fast grower under the right conditions, quickly giving you a lush, full plant.
Ideal Light Conditions for Healthy Growth
Getting the light right is the key to keeping your Micans vibrant. It prefers bright, indirect light. A spot near an east or north-facing window is usually perfect. A west-facing window with some sheer curtains can also work well.
- Avoid direct, harsh sunlight. This can scorch those delicate, velvety leaves, causing pale brown patches.
- It can tolerate lower light, but growth will slow significantly. The space between leaves (internodes) will become longer, creating a leggy, sparse look as it stretches for light.
- If you only have lower light, consider supplementing with a grow light. A simple LED bulb a few feet away for 8-10 hours a day can make a huge difference.
Watering Your Micans Correctly
Overwatering is the most common mistake with Philodendrons. These plants like to partially dry out between drinks. The goal is to keep the soil lightly moist, not soggy.
- Check the soil before you water. Stick your finger about an inch or two into the potting mix.
- If the top inch or two feels dry, it’s time to water. If it still feels damp, wait a few more days.
- Water thoroughly until you see it running out of the drainage holes. This ensures the entire root ball gets hydrated.
- Always empty the saucer or cache pot after 15 minutes. Never let the plant sit in standing water, as this leads to root rot.
In winter, when growth slows, you’ll need to water less frequently. The plant will tell you if it’s thirsty—its leaves may become slightly limp or less firm.
Soil and Potting Needs
A well-draining, airy potting mix is non-negotiable. Philodendron micans are epiphytes in the wild, meaning they often grow on trees rather than in dense soil. Their roots need oxygen.
- A good basic mix is a standard indoor potting soil amended with perlite and orchid bark. A ratio of 2 parts potting mix to 1 part perlite and 1 part orchid bark works great.
- You can also use a pre-mixed aroid blend, which is designed for plants like this.
- Choose a pot with drainage holes. Terracotta pots are excellent because they allow the soil to dry more evenly through their porous walls.
Repot your Micans every 1-2 years in spring or summer, or when you see roots growing out of the drainage holes. Only go up one pot size (about 1-2 inches wider in diameter) to prevent excess soil from staying wet too long.
Humidity and Temperature Preferences
As a tropical plant, your Micans appreciates higher humidity. Average home humidity (around 40-50%) is often acceptable, but it will truly thrive with more.
- Ideally, aim for 60% humidity or higher. You can measure this with a cheap hygrometer.
- To increase humidity, group plants together, use a pebble tray filled with water, or run a humidifier nearby.
- Misting is not very effective for raising long-term humidity and can sometimes promote fungal issues on the velvety leaves, so it’s not generally recommended.
Keep your plant in a warm spot between 65°F and 80°F (18°C – 27°C). Avoid cold drafts from windows or doors in winter, and keep it away from heating and air conditioning vents, which can create dry, stressful conditions.
Fertilizing for Lush Foliage
During the active growing season (spring and summer), feed your plant to support its rapid growth. Use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (like a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 formula) diluted to half the recommended strength.
- Fertilize every 4-6 weeks during spring and summer.
- In fall and winter, reduce feeding to once every 8-10 weeks, or stop altogether as growth naturally slows.
- Always water the soil lightly with plain water before applying fertilizer to prevent root burn.
An occasional application of a fertilizer with a slightly higher nitrogen content can promote especially lush leaf growth, but a balanced feed is perfectly sufficient.
Pruning and Training Your Vine
Pruning is simple and beneficial. It encourages bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming too long and straggly.
- Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears. You can cut just above a leaf node (the small bump on the stem where a leaf attaches).
- Don’t be afraid to trim back long vines. The plant will respond by pushing out new growth from nodes further back on the stem.
- You can train the vines to climb a moss pole or trellis if you prefer an upward growth habit. Simply use soft plant ties or clips to gently secure the stems.
All those cuttings you take are perfect for propagation, which is very easy with this plant.
How to Propagate New Plants
Propagating Philodendron micans is rewarding and straightforward. The best method is stem cuttings in water or moss.
- Take a cutting that has at least one node (where the leaf meets the stem) and 2-3 leaves.
- Place the cutting in a jar of water, ensuring the node is submerged but the leaves are not. Or, place it in a small pot of damp sphagnum moss.
- Put it in a warm spot with bright, indirect light.
- Change the water every few days if using that method. For moss, keep it consistently damp but not soaked.
- In 2-4 weeks, you should see roots developing that are an inch or two long. Once they are, you can pot the cutting in soil.
You can also propagate by layering—simply pin a section of a still-attached vine with a node onto the soil in another pot. Once it roots, you can snip it free from the mother plant.
Common Pests and Problems
Philodendron micans is relatively pest-resistant, but it can occasionally attract common houseplant bugs. Keep an eye out for:
- Spider Mites: These tiny pests love dry conditions. You might see fine webbing or stippling on leaves. Increase humidity and wipe leaves with a damp cloth. For infestations, use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Mealybugs: Look for small, white, cottony masses in leaf axils. Dab them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove.
- Fungus Gnats: These are more annoying than harmful. They indicate overly moist soil. Let the soil dry out more between waterings and use yellow sticky traps.
Yellowing leaves often signal overwatering. Brown, crispy leaf edges usually mean low humidity or underwatering. If leaves are small and growth is slow, the plant likely needs more light or fertilizer.
FAQ About Philodendron Micans
Is the Philodendron micans plant toxic?
Yes, like all Philodendrons, Micans contains calcium oxalate crystals which are toxic to pets and humans if ingested. It’s best to keep it out of reach of curious cats, dogs, and children.
Why are the leaves on my micans losing their velvety texture?
This can happen if the leaves are frequently touched or bruised, or if they’re misted with hard water. The texture is delicate. Also, as leaves age, they can naturally become a bit less vibrant.
How fast does this velvety vine grow?
In ideal conditions with good light and warmth, Philodendron micans is a surprisingly fast grower. You can expect several inches of new growth per month during the spring and summer.
Can I grow my green trailing vine outdoors?
You can in warm, humid climates (USDA zones 10-11), but only in a fully shaded location. It cannot tolerate direct sun or temperatures below 55°F (13°C). For most people, it is strictly an indoor plant.
Should I wipe the leaves of my velvety philodendron?
It’s a good idea to gently dust the leaves every few weeks with a soft, dry brush (like a makeup brush) to keep them clean and efficient at absorbing light. Avoid using leaf shine products or wet cloths, which can damage the delicate surface.
With its stunning foliage and adaptable nature, the Philodendron micans is a joy to have in any plant collection. By providing it with the right balance of light, water, and humidity, you’ll be rewarded with a thriving, beautiful vine that adds a touch of the tropics to your home. Remember, the most important thing is to observe your plant and adjust care as needed—it will tell you what it wants.