Did you just buy a new Heartleaf Philodendron? You probably have a lot of questions on what you should do with your new Heartleaf Philodendron when you bring it home? Should you repot your new Heartleaf Philodendron immediately? Should you water your Heartleaf Philodendron right away? Where is the best place for your Heartleaf Philodendron? Below I’ll show you everything you need to do with your new Heartleaf Philodendron when you bring it home. It’s what I do when I bring home a new houseplant.
What to Do with New Heartleaf Philodendron when You Bring it Home Video
What to Do with New Heartleaf Philodendron when You Bring it Home
1: Do you need to water your new Heartleaf Philodendron?
Don’t assume that your new Heartleaf Philodendron needs to be watered right away. Only water it when the soil feels dry. The best way to tell if you should water your Heartleaf Philodendron is to stick your finger in the soil 1 inch deep. If the soil feels dry, then it’s time to water your Heartleaf Philodendron.
Your Heartleaf Philodendron has moderate water requirements so don’t overwater it. Overwatering is the leading cause of death for most houseplants. It’s best to underwater than to overwater! Always check and feel the soil before watering!
2: Do you need to repot your new Heartleaf Philodendron?
There are 2 things to check as you decide whether or not to repot your new Heartleaf Philodendron. The first is to check for drainage holes and the second is to check for signs that your new Heartleaf Philodendron has outgrown its pot.
Check for Drainage Holes
First, check and see if there are drainage holes at the bottom of the pot of your new Heartleaf Philodendron. Some plants are in pots that look like it has no drainage holes but there is actually a grow pot underneath with drainage holes. Take a closer look at the pot that your new Heartleaf Philodendron is in. Is there a grow pot underneath with drainage holes?
If there are no drainage holes, then you need to repot immediately because you don’t want your new Heartleaf Philodendron to sit in soggy soil. It might suffer from root rot which is fatal for houseplants. Make sure to empty out the water that collects in the saucer so your Heartleaf Philodendron does not get root rot.
Check for signs that your Heartleaf Philodendron has outgrown its current pot
Check to see if your plant is outgrowing its pot. If you see the roots coming out of the drainage holes, these are signs that your Heartleaf Philodendron has outgrown its current pot. You should repot soon. But know it’s not urgent, you can let your Heartleaf Philodendron acclimate to its new home first before repotting.
How to Repot your Heartleaf Philodendron?
If you need to repot your new Heartleaf Philodendron because there are no drainage holes or it has outgrown its current pot, use a well-draining, organic, all-purpose potting mix. Make sure you repot your Heartleaf Philodendron in a pot with drainage holes.
Check out my article on How I repotted my Heartleaf Philodendron
3. Where is the best place for your new Heartleaf Philodendron?
There are several factors to consider when deciding where to place your new Heartleaf Philodendron- Light, whether or not you have pets, whether or not you have small children, temperature, humidity and draft.
Light
Heartleaf Philodendron will grow best in a bright filtered light location. However, it is very flexible and can tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions. It will thrive in artificial light and low light conditions. Although it will not grow as well in low light and artificial light. I have my Heartleaf Philodendron in front of an east-facing window and it’s growing happily there.
Pets
Your Heartleaf Philodendron is toxic to humans and pets so keep it away from your dogs, cats and small children. Don’t let children or pets chew on the leaves of your Heartleaf Philodendron because it contains calcium oxalate crystals. The crystals can cause vomiting and difficulty breathing. The good thing about Heartleaf Philodendron is you can easily keep it out reach- on a high bookshelf or a hanging basket.
Temperature
You should also consider the temperature of your interior space. Your Heartleaf Philodendron likes a daytime temperature of 70 to 80 F (21-26C) and a nighttime temperature of 60 to 70 F (15-21C).
Humidity
Your new Heartleaf Philodendron is a houseplant that likes humid conditions. Try to increase indoor humidity. Turn on the humidifier. Mist your Heartleaf Philodendron frequently with a spray bottle. I keep my Heartleaf Philodendron next to my fish tank which helps with humidity.
Draft
You should also make sure your Heartleaf Philodendron is positioned away from heating and air conditioning vents. And keep it away from draft. If you have a drafty window, make sure your Heartleaf Philodendron is located away from it.
Quarantine
Don’t be too quick in introducing your new Heartleaf Philodendron to your existing houseplants. It’s a good idea to quarantine your new Heartleaf Philodendron and keep it away from your existing plants. This is to make sure the new Heartleaf Philodendron is not bringing in pests and diseases to your old plants. Observe your new Heartleaf Philodendron, if you see signs of diseases such as aphids, then you can treat it with horticultural oil.
Check out my article on how to make horticultural oil with baby shampoo.
4. Wipe down the leaves of your Heartleaf Philodendron
Your new Heartleaf Philodendron might have fertilizer residue, dust, and dirt on its leaves, so it’s a good idea to wipe the leaves of your new Heartleaf Philodendron. Wiping the leaves of your new Heartleaf Philodendron will help improve its photosynthesis. Get a damp cloth and wipe down the leaves. I like to use microfiber cloth, but you can use any type of cloth as long as it’s clean. A damp paper towel will also work. Don’t use leaf shine to wipe your Heartleaf Philodendron. The chemicals will clog up the leaves.
5. Do you need to fertilize your new Heartleaf Philodendron?
I generally don’t recommend fertilizing your new Heartleaf Philodendron right away. You don’t want to overfertilize your Heartleaf Philodendron since you don’t know if it was just fertilized by the grower. Wait a month before you fertilize your Heartleaf Philodendron. When you do fertilize, use a liquid or powder, organic fertilizer with a higher ratio of nitrogen on your Heartleaf Philodendron. Fertilize once a month during the growing season. During the winter months, fertilize every other month.
You need to observe your Heartleaf Philodendron in the next few weeks to see if your Heartleaf Philodendron is happy. Signs of an unhappy plant are drooping leaves, it could be a sign of overwatering or it’s too cold. Check the temperature to see if that is a problem and feel the soil first before watering, make sure you water only when the soil feels dry.
Check out my other Heartleaf Philodendron Plant Care
Guides
Beginner’s Guide: How to Care for your Heartleaf Philodendron
Quick Start Guide: What to do with New Heartleaf Philodendron when You Bring it Home (video)
How to Repot Heartleaf Philodendron (video)
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