How to Grow and Care for Philodendron Burle Marx So It Thrives

The philodendron burle marx (Philodendron burle marxii) is a tropical plant native to Brazil that is popular as a houseplant. It has a bushy, climbing growth habit with medium-sized arrow-shaped leaves and is renowned for being low-maintenance and easy to care for. Indoors, it tops out at around two to three feet tall, making it ideal for small and large spaces alike. 

Pet owners and parents should be aware that like all philodendrons, the burle marx is considered toxic to pets and humans if ingested, so be sure to keep it out of reach if you have curious pets or babies at home. 

Looking to add some tropical flair to your home? Here’s everything you need to know about how to grow and care for the philodendron burle marx.

Philodendron Burle Marx Care

Here are the basic requirements for growing philodendron burle marx:

• Place it in a location where it receives several hours of bright, indirect light.
• Plant in a well-draining, airy potting mix that is rich in organic materials.
• Fertilize once a month during the active growing season.
• Water once the top one to two inches of soil is dry, cut back on watering in the fall and winter.

Light

In its native environment, the philodendron burle marx grows as a climbing vine and groundcover in the forest understory, receiving dappled sunlight through the leaves of the large trees above it. When grown indoors, bright to medium indirect light best replicates these conditions. 

Avoid exposing this philodendron to extended periods of direct sunlight (particularly harsh afternoon light) as the delicate leaves are susceptible to burning. Similarly, while this plant can survive in low light conditions, its growth will slow and it will lose its lush and bushy appearance.  

Soil

Like all philodendrons, the burle marx requires loose, well-draining soil that is rich in nutrients. This plant is susceptible to root rot and standard indoor potting soil by itself can choke out the roots over time. Instead, opt for a soil mix that is specifically formulated for aroids, or make your own at home using a few common ingredients. Equal parts perlite, orchid bark or coco coir, and indoor potting soil will do the trick.

Water

During spring and summer when the plant is actively growing, it will likely need to be watered at least once a week. Keep an eye on the moisture of the plant’s soil and water it well once the top one to two inches has dried out. In fall and winter when the plant is dormant, you should cut back on watering to ensure you don’t drown your plant. Again, check the moisture of the soil to be sure.

Temperature and Humidity

Philodendron burle marx is a tropical plant, which means that it enjoys warm, humid conditions. This makes it an ideal houseplant, where average temperatures are kept consistently warm. While it does enjoy above-average humidity, this versatile plant does well in standard household humidity levels as well—just be sure to keep it away from particularly dry areas of your home, such as right next to a drafty air vent or window. 

This philodendron can be grown outdoors too, as long as you live in an area that doesn’t experience cold winters. Alternatively, you can place your potted plant outdoors during spring and summer and bring it indoors once the temperatures begin to drop in the fall. This philodendron can only be grown outdoors year-round in USDA zones 9 to 11.

Fertilizer

During spring and summer, this philodendron appreciates regular fertilizing. Apply a balanced fertilizer designed for houseplants once every three to four weeks to support strong, healthy growth. Stop fertilizing altogether once the temperatures begin to drop in fall and in winter when the plant is dormant.

Types of Philodendron Burle Marx

There are two main varieties of the philodendron burle marx. These variations of the plant are significantly harder to come by, and can often only be found at rare houseplant shops or from online sellers.

• Philodendron Burle Marx Variegata has variegated leaves, either white or yellow.
• Philodendron Burle Marx “Fantasy” has darker leaves with a more velvet appearance, and is known for being a slow grower.

Pruning

Pruning is optional for the philodendron burle marx, but may be desired at some point since the plant is a fast grower. This Philodendron is pretty forgiving, so there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to pruning, the only thing you should know is that pruning is best done in spring or summer when the plant is actively growing. Also, be sure to use sharp, clean pruning shears so you don’t accidentally introduce any harmful bacteria to your plant. Save any clippings you may take so you can use them to propagate a brand new plant.

Propagating Philodendron Burle Marx

Like most philodendrons, propagating the philodendron burle marx is a pretty easy process. Cuttings from this philodendron can be easily rooted in water, and then transferred to soil once roots have developed. This is a great way to grow new plants or fill out the pot of your existing plant if you want a bushier appearance. Just be aware that the best time to propagate this plant is in spring or summer, although you can attempt propagation at any time of the year. 

Follow these simple steps to propagate a philodendron burle marx:

1. Using a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears, take a cutting from a healthy plant that has at least one leaf and three nodes along the stem, but no more than five nodes. 
2. Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting, leaving one to three leaves at the top.
3. Fill a container with fresh water and place the stem cutting in the water, ensuring the exposed nodes along the stem are fully submerged while the leaves are above the surface.
4. Place the container in a warm location that receives bright, indirect light, and refresh the water once a week. Roots should start growing within the first two weeks. 
5. Once the roots are about an inch long you can transfer the cutting to soil. Fill a small pot with a rich, well-draining potting mix and plant the cutting, watering well. 
6. Return the freshly planted cutting to its original location. 
7. For the first two weeks, keep the soil evenly moist to help the roots acclimate. Then, slowly begin cutting back on watering until you are allowing the top one to two inches of soil to dry between waterings.

Potting and Repotting Philodendron Burle Marx

Since the burle marx is a fast grower, it may need to be repotted more often than some of your other philodendron plants. While most philodendrons can go up to two to three years between repottings, this plant may need to be repotted every year. While it may be tempting to give your plant an oversized container, it’s always best to increase your plant’s pot size by only two to four inches every time to prevent accidental overwatering.

Repotting is best done in spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing, and when the plant is due for watering as you should water immediately after repotting. Before you begin, ensure that you have the new pot and plenty of fresh potting mix at the ready. Remove your plant from its pot, remove as much of the old soil from the roots as you can, and then place the plant in its new pot with fresh soil. Water the freshly repotted plant thoroughly and return it to its original location.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

The philodendron burle marx is not prone to any particular pests, but common houseplant pests can become a problem, particularly if they come from another plant in the home. Keep an eye out for mealybugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats, and isolate your plant immediately if you notice signs of an infestation. 

Fungal leaf spot disease is common among all philodendrons. This fungal infection appears as small white to rust-colored spots on the leaves of your plant, that spread rapidly and can grow in size over time. It can be tricky to eradicate once it's taken hold of your plant, but it’s not impossible to do. Stick to a strict regimen of treatments with a fungicide and prune away any leaves that are badly damaged to stop the spread.

Common Problems With Philodendron Burle Marx

While these philodendron are known for being easy to care for, it’s normal to run into a few issues as you learn how to care for your plant. Here are a few common problems with Philodendron burle marx.

Yellow Leaves

A couple of yellow leaves here and there can be completely normal, but if your plant starts to rapidly develop yellow leaves it could be a sign of underwatering, a lack of sunlight, pests, or overwatering. Examine your plant’s growing conditions closely to determine what may be the culprit.

Brown Leaves

Similarly, one or two brown leaves on a plant usually aren’t a cause for concern, especially if the oldest leaves start to turn brown. However, if you notice that new leaves are turning brown or your plant is developing brown spots on all the leaves, you may have a bigger problem. Underwatering and overly dry air are both common causes for brown, crispy leaves, while leaf burn (too much sunlight) and diseases like fungal leaf spot are usually to blame for brown spots.

Droopy Leaves

Limp, droopy leaves are usually a sign of underwatering. After a good drink, your plant should perk back up quickly. However, occasionally droopy leaves can actually be a result of overwatering and root rot—the rotted roots cut off water supply to the leaves and the plant suffers from dehydration. If the soil is wet but you are still seeing droopy leaves, this is likely the culprit. In this case, you will need to remove your plant from its soil and cut away any damaged roots, repotting in fresh soil. If all of the roots are damaged you may need to propagate your plant by stem cuttings in order to save it.