Variegated heart leaf philodendrons are rare plants that have a unique appearance compared to any common philodendron.
Their leaves are of two different colors because of the lack of green pigment chlorophyll in some plant cells. The variegation of the plants occurs either genetically or chimerically.
Chimeric variegation is a type where the mutation of genetics occurs, forming a plant with more than one genotype. It does not make a stable coloration when compared to genetic variegation due to the mutation of the cells.
Genetic variegation is a type where the variegation is seen because of the inheritance from the parent plant. It shows stable coloration as all the upcoming generations of the parent plant will have similar characteristics.
Characteristics of Variegation Heart Leaf Philodendron
The mature size of these plants is seen to be 20 feet high in their natural habitat. However, under low light conditions inside a house, they can still grow above 4 feet of height.
It can be pinched to make it bushy and full. Pinch the leaf out from the place where it is attached to the stem as it will grow a new stem from that particular place, allowing your plant to grow with multiple stems.
Dark green heart-shaped leaves truly capture the heart of their beholders with their beauty. Due to variegation, the dark green color mixed with white spots multiplies its beauty with its perfect contrast with the original color of the foliage.
The leaves of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals which are poisonous to human beings and pets. Consuming it would be life-threatening, so you should keep your pets and children away from these plants.
Its symptoms include swelling of the mouth, appetite decrease, and vomiting. You should take your pet to the doctor immediately if any of the mentioned symptoms are noticed.
These plants have a trailing nature, as they would climb up your bookshelf or hang below your window depending on where you place them.
If you want your plant to climb, you need to tie its stems up the pole or anything to which you want it to climb. These plants adjust themselves at any place you like, which makes them quite user-friendly.
The USDA hardiness zone level of these plants is 9-11. Despite being tropical, these plants are dry air tolerant. Seldom misting would keep it resist dry weather well; however, they can still thrive without water for days.
Heartleaf philodendron gives its user a tropical forests vibe because of its dark green trailing leaves. Their native areas are Brazil, Mexico, and West Indies, which completely justifies their tropical behavior.
They bloom quite infrequently, but when they do, the beauty of the whole place gets uplifted with its charming vision.
Caring Tips for Variegated Heart Leaf Philodendron
Direct sunlight is dangerous as it can burn its leaves. It requires indirect, bright sunlight to thrive at its maximum pace.
If the leaves are less than 3 to 4 inches long, you must place them at a place where more indirect sunlight can reach the beautiful heart-shaped leaves. The size and vigorous growth of the leaves determine if the optimum level of light is reaching the plant.
Overwatering of the plant can cause its leaves to turn yellow. Make sure that the soil is dry when you water the plant. These plants do not require a lot of water as they have water conservation ability.
Moreover, using water at a temperature ranging between 60 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit as cold water is often seen to damage the roots of the plant.
Peat Moss-based mix soil is recommended for heart leaf philodendrons. You can improve the drainage of the soil with the addition of perlite as it can protect the plant from overwatering. African violet potting mix is one of the best peat moss-based mix soil for your plant to grow healthy.
Spring and summer are the growth season for the philodendrons. Feed the plant with diluted fertilizer once every month in these seasons to boost growth.
Long stems should be removed from the place just after the leaf node, ensuring that it does not damage the node. Pruning helps the plant grow in a regular shape with more leaves and multiple stems.
Potting should be changed every two to three years to protect the plant from root rots. Repotting must be done carefully by losing the potting soil around the plant’s roots and placing it into the new pot with new potting soil.
Pest and Disease Protection
Fungus gnats are the most common enemies of these plants, as they can be seen crawling on the surface upon close inspection. Wet potting mixes attract these gnats, so make sure that you allow your potting medium to dry out to keep these black insects away from your plant.
Variegated Heart Leaf Philodendron Propagation
Propagation of Heartleaf is similar to other philodendrons, but there are tips to keep in mind while propagating variegated plants to ensure that the parent plant color is carried through to the future generation of the plant.
Following are the steps to propagate a variegated heart leaf properly
- Choose the stem with the most variegated leaves of your plant.
- Cut the stem 3 to 4 inches with at least 3 leaves attached to it with the nodes undamaged.
- Plant them in moist soil with at least one node below the soil.
- Once the new root system is established, the new roots will grow from the node below the soil.
Variegated heart leaf philodendrons are rare as only 1 in 10,000 plants are variegated through mutations. These plants are easy to care for, but their unique foliage and rare occurrence make them one of the most demanded plants in the world.
Propagating these plants also has a very low chance of producing another variegated version, making it one of the most desirable plants for all plant lovers around the globe.
Mimea ya philodendron yenye majani ya moyo yenye rangi mbalimbali ni mimea isiyo ya kawaida ambayo ina sura ya kipekee ikilinganishwa na philodendron yoyote ya kawaida. Majani yao yana rangi mbili tofauti kwa sababu ya ukosefu wa rangi ya kijani-kibichi ya klorofili katika chembe fulani za mimea. Tofauti ya mimea hutokea ama kwa maumbile au kimerically. Chimeric variegation ni aina ambapo mabadiliko ya maumbile hutokea, kuunda mmea na zaidi ya genotype moja. Haitengenezi rangi thabiti ikilinganishwa na mabadiliko ya maumbile kwa sababu ya mabadiliko ya chembe. Vipande vya urithi ni aina ambayo vipande vya urithi huonekana kwa sababu ya urithi kutoka kwa mmea mzazi. Inaonyesha rangi thabiti kama vizazi vyote vinavyofuata vya mmea wa mzazi vitakuwa na sifa sawa. Vipande vya Variation Heart Leaf Philodendron ni aina ya mimea ya aina ya Philodendron ambayo huonekana kuwa na urefu wa mita 20 katika mazingira yao ya asili. Hata hivyo, chini ya hali ya mwanga wa chini ndani ya nyumba, bado wanaweza kukua juu ya urefu wa futi nne. Inaweza kukandamizwa ili iwe na manyoya mengi na kujazwa. Piga jani kutoka mahali ambapo limeunganishwa na shina, kwani litakua shina jipya kutoka mahali hapo, ikiruhusu mmea wako kukua na shina nyingi. Majani yenye rangi ya kijani-kibichi yenye umbo la moyo huvutia sana kwa uzuri wake. Kwa sababu ya rangi ya kijani-kibichi iliyochanganywa na madoa meupe, inaongeza uzuri wake kwa tofauti kamili na rangi ya awali ya majani. Majani ya mmea huo yana fuwele za kalsiamu ya oxalate ambazo ni zenye sumu kwa wanadamu na wanyama wa kufugwa. Kwa sababu ya hatari ya kuharibu maisha, unapaswa kuwaweka wanyama wako wa kufugwa na watoto mbali na mimea hii. Dalili zake zinatia ndani uvimbe wa kinywa, kupungua kwa hamu ya kula, na kutapika. Unapaswa kumpeleka mnyama wako kwa daktari mara moja ikiwa utaona dalili yoyote iliyotajwa hapo juu. Mimea hii inaweza kukwea juu ya rafu yako au kunyongwa chini ya dirisha, kulingana na mahali ulipo. Ikiwa unataka mmea wako upande juu, unapaswa kuunganisha shina lake kwenye nguzo au kitu chochote ambacho unataka upande juu. Mimea hii hujipanga yenyewe mahali popote unapopenda, jambo linalofanya iwe rahisi kuitumia. Kwa mfano, kiwango cha ukali wa mimea ya USDA ni 9. Licha ya kuwa mimea ya kitropiki, mimea hiyo haiwezi kuvumilia hewa kavu. Mara chache mvuke ungefanya kipepeo hicho kiweze kukabiliana na hali ya hewa kavu; hata hivyo, bado kinaweza kusitawi bila maji kwa siku nyingi. Mti wa philodendron wenye majani ya moyo humfanya mtumiaji wake ahisi kama msitu wa kitropiki kwa sababu ya majani yake ya kijani-kibichi. Maeneo yao ya asili ni Brazili, Mexico, na West Indies, jambo linalothibitisha kabisa tabia yao ya kitropiki. Hizi huchanua maua mara chache sana, lakini zinapofungua, uzuri wa mahali hapo huongezeka kwa sababu ya mandhari yake yenye kupendeza. Maelekezo ya Utunzaji wa Barua ya Moyo ya Variegated Philodendron Mwangaza wa jua wa moja kwa moja ni hatari kwa sababu unaweza kuchoma majani yake. Inahitaji mwangaza wa jua usio wa moja kwa moja na mkali ili ikue kwa mwendo wake wa juu zaidi. Ikiwa majani ni chini ya sentimita 3 hadi 4 kwa urefu, lazima uweke mahali ambapo mwanga wa jua usio wa moja kwa moja unaweza kufikia majani mazuri ya moyo. Ukubwa na ukuzi wenye nguvu wa majani huamua ikiwa kiwango cha juu cha nuru kinafikia mmea. Mti huo ukinywewa maji kupita kiasi, majani yake yanaweza kuwa na rangi ya manjano. Hakikisha kwamba udongo umekauka unapomwagilia mimea hiyo maji. Mimea hii haihitaji maji mengi kwa kuwa ina uwezo wa kuhifadhi maji. Kwa kuongezea, kutumia maji yenye joto la kati ya digrii 60 hadi 100 Fahrenheit kama maji baridi mara nyingi huonekana kuharibu mizizi ya mmea. Peat Moss-msingi mchanganyiko udongo ni ilipendekeza kwa moyo jani philodendrons. Unaweza kuboresha maji ya udongo kwa kuongeza perlite, ambayo inaweza kulinda mmea kutoka kwa maji ya kupita kiasi. Mchanganyiko wa viatu vya Afrika ni moja ya mchanganyiko bora wa mchanga wa peat kwa mimea yako kukua vizuri. Majira ya kuchipua na majira ya kiangazi ni majira ya ukuzi wa philodendrons. Maza mimea na mbolea iliyopunguzwa mara moja kwa mwezi katika misimu hii ili kuongeza ukuaji. Vipande virefu vinapaswa kuondolewa mahali baada ya kifungo cha jani, kuhakikisha kwamba haiharibu kifungo. Kukata mimea husaidia mmea huo ukue kwa umbo la kawaida lenye majani mengi na shina nyingi. Mimea hiyo inapaswa kubadilishwa kila baada ya miaka miwili au mitatu ili iepukike kuoza kwa mizizi yake. Kupanda upya lazima kufanywe kwa uangalifu kwa kupoteza udongo wa potting karibu na mizizi ya mmea na kuiweka katika sufuria mpya na udongo mpya wa potting. Mbu ni adui wa kawaida wa mimea hii, kwani inaweza kuonekana ikitambaa juu ya uso wakati wa ukaguzi wa karibu. Mchanganyiko wa mimea ya mvua huvutia mbu hizi, kwa hiyo hakikisha kuruhusu mchanganyiko wako wa mimea kukauka ili kuepuka wadudu hawa weusi. Upanuaji wa Heartleaf ni sawa na filodendrons nyingine, lakini kuna vidokezo vya kukumbuka wakati wa kueneza mimea ya variegated ili kuhakikisha kwamba rangi ya mmea mzazi ni kubeba kupitia kwa kizazi cha baadaye cha mmea. Hatua za kueneza majani ya moyo yenye rangi mbalimbali kwa njia inayofaa ni kama ifuatavyo: Chagua shina lenye majani mengi ya rangi mbalimbali. - Kata shina kwa inchi 3 hadi 4 na angalau majani 3 yaliyoambatanishwa nayo na nodes zisizoharibiwa. - Zipanda katika udongo wenye unyevunyevu na angalau node moja chini ya udongo. - Mara mfumo mpya wa mizizi unapowekwa, mizizi mipya itakua kutoka kwenye kiungo kilicho chini ya udongo. Filodendrons ya majani ya moyo ni nadra, kwani ni mimea 1 tu kati ya 10,000 inayobadilika kwa mabadiliko. Mimea hii ni rahisi kutunza, lakini majani yake ya kipekee na kutokea kwake nadra hufanya iwe moja ya mimea inayohitajiwa zaidi ulimwenguni. Kueneza mimea hii pia ina nafasi ndogo sana ya kuzalisha toleo lingine la rangi, na kuifanya kuwa moja ya mimea inayotamaniwa zaidi kwa wapenzi wote wa mimea duniani kote.