Philodendron Congo Plant
Philodendron Tatei
A Philodendron Congo is one of several cultivars of Philodendron that has been developed by growers over the last few years. This is a plant that can adapt to all kinds of conditions as long as you keep it warm. Its care instructions can be used for the following other Philodendron hybrids: Imperial Red, Black Cardinal, Moonlight, Red Emerald, and Autumn. Many Philodendrons are climbers, but not this one. A Congo is a self-header that spreads outward as it grows upward. The glossy dark green thick leaves are spaced very close to each other on a single stem. The stiff, barely visible stem, keeps the Congo upright and elegant looking as it matures.
These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants
Light
A Philodendron Congo can grow almost anywhere except in the direct sun. In low lightWhen you select “Low Light” a list of the most adaptive plants in our database appears. These plants can live in lighting conditions too low to support any other plants in our database, but will grow faster in medium and high light. Variegation (color) in the leaves is often lost in low light. A plant in low light needs less water and fertilizer than the same plant in better light. Place a low-light plant within 2-3 ft. of a window with a northern exposure, 3-5 ft. of a window with an eastern exposure, 4-10 ft. of a window with a western exposure, and 10-18ft. of a window with a southern exposure. A low light area has between 50-150 ft. candles of light. The best low light house plants are: Chinese Evergreen, Dracaena Janet Craig, Peace Lily, Heart leaf Philodendron. the plant often looks stretched out as it tries to reach for the light.
Water
Always allow the top 50% of the soil to dry out before watering a Philodendron. When watering, cover the entire surface to prevent leaf problems because of dry soil areas.
Fertilizer
Fertilize monthly only when the plant is actively growing with a balanced food at 1/2 the recommended strength. If the plant is not producing new leaves, it doesn’t need plant food.
Temperature
Philodendron Congos grow well in normal household temperatures between 70°-85°F (21.1° 29.4°C). Keep these plants away from cold drafts and air conditioners.
Humidity
Higher humidity is a plus, but philodendrons do well in basic household humidity.
Pests
AphidsSee a picture, learn to identify, and read about Aphid houseplant pests in the Glossary of Houseplant411.com. and Mealy BugsLearn how to identify and treat Mealy Bugs, a houseplant pest that leaves sticky, white, cottony residue on houseplants.
Diseases
Although high humidity helps a Congo grow well, it also encourages Erwinia Blight.
Soil
Use a rich quick-draining soil for philodendrons. You may have to add a little sand to your usual soil mix.
Pot Size
A Philodendron Congo is usually found in 6”, 8”, and 10” containers. They are slow growers and do not need frequent repotting.
Pruning
A Philodendron Congo rarely needs pruning.
Propagation
Growers use tissue cultures to propagate this Philodendron hybrid. You can use off- shoots or air layeringLearn how to use Air Layering to propagate houseplants. if you want to try to propagate a Congo.
Poisonous Plant Info
A Philodendron Congo is a poisonousPlants are a great addition to homes and offices, but it’s important to know whether your plants are dangerous to children, pets, or even adults. Some plants contain chemicals such as oxalates, solanine, glycosides, or alkaloid lycorine that may cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, swelling and redness of the mouth, throat, and lips, and trouble breathing. Touching parts of certain plants, especially the sap, may cause various skin irritations. The weight and age of the human or pet involved, and the part and amount of plant eaten determine how severe the reaction to the toxins will be. Although plants may be listed as non-toxic, they can still cause individual allergic reactions. If there is any question after a houseplant has been ingested or touched immediately call the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 The Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants [Paperback]is an excellent reference to keep around if you have young children and pets. houseplant with a #2 Toxicity levelThese are general guidelines that describe how poisonous certain houseplants are. It's possible for an allergic reaction to occur from contact with any houseplant, toxic or non-toxic. If there is ever a concern, call: Poison Control Center: ******1-800-222-1222******
Level #1: Houseplants with low toxicity, may be mildly irritating, especially the sap of the plant.
Level#2: Houseplants with medium to severe toxicity. Eating parts of these houseplants may result in vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, skin irritations, and breathing difficulties.
Level #3: These houseplants are very poisonous. When eaten, especially in large quantities, severe vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, skin irritations, and breathing difficulties can occur.
Level #4: These houseplants are extremely poisonous. Eating parts of these houseplants can be be life threatening.
Every plant listed in our Popular HousePlant guide has a section explaining whether or not it is poisonous and, if so, how poisonous. Amaryllis, alocasia, dieffenbachias, crotons, ivies, azaleas, lilies, and philodendrons are just a few of the highly poisonous plants we use in our homes and offices all of the time. If you don't know whether your houseplant is poisonous, go to Ask Judy on the HousePlant411.com website, send her a picture of your plant, and she'll let you know if the houseplant should be kept away from small children and pets.
See colorful pictures and get more information about poisonous houseplants in
Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants
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Will my little dog get sick if she nibbles on my Philodendron?
Philodendron plants are very Poisonous HouseplantsIn her new book, Don’t Feed Me to Your Cat!, plant care professional Judy Feldstein shares information about twenty-five common houseplants, each with various levels of toxicity, and the possible consequences if your pet or child snacks on them. and will definitely make a small dog very ill.
What is the whitish mold growing on top of the soil of my philodendron. Is this going to hurt my plant?
Aside from looking unattractive, the mold growing on your Philodendron plant soil won't hurt anything. Mold develops when the soil is being kept too wet. Cut back on your water and see if that helps get rid of the mold or change the potting soil.
The leaves on my Philodendron seem to be getting smaller and further apart on the stem. The plant used to be bushy but now it looks skinny.
Your philodendron plant is not getting enough light. Move the plant to a brighter location, but not into direct sun, and I’m sure it’ll improve.
Can I train my Philodendron Congo to grow up a trellis?
A Philodendron Congo is a type of self-heading plant, not a vine. It really can’t be trained to grow on a trellis.
My Philodendron Congo had bright green gorgeous leaves when I bought it. Now the color of the leaves just looks s little gray and ugly.
Poor leaf color on a Philodendron occurs when the plant gets too cold, when it’s sitting in the direct sun, or if it’s getting too much fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small.
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Why are the tips on my philodendron plant leaves turning brown?
Plant leaf tips usually turn brown from too much fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small.
. The high salt concentration in plant food burns the leaf tips. Water that passes through a water softener and becomes salty or water that is high in chlorine or fluorine can also cause brown tips.
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