White Knight Philodendron Care and Growing Tips

Are you on the hunt for a low-maintenance houseplant that will elevate your indoor space? Look no further than the White Knight Philodendron! This stunning species is not only hard to find but also easy to care for, making it the crown jewel of every indoor gardener’s collection.

Whether you’re looking to beautify your home or office, the White Knight Philodendron is an excellent prospect. What’s more, this species can grow in a variety of conditions and has a durable lifespan, with some varieties living up to 40 years!

However, they do require some basic care needs, such as bright indirect sunlight, moderate humidity, adequate watering, and moist soil.

In this article, we’ll delve deeper into White Knight Philodendron care requirements, so you can keep your plant happy and healthy for years to come. So, if you’re ready to add a touch of elegance to your indoor space, read on and discover the wonders of the White Knight Philodendron!

White Night Philodendron Overview

Native to America’s central and southern rainforests, the white knight philodendron consists of over 480 flowering plants. It is the second-largest aroid genus introduced by C. Plumier in the 16th century.

Many of its philodendron genus species became famous in the art field, folk culture, and medicine for hundreds of years.

The white knight philodendron is a variegated tropical specie that is difficult to find and originates from the Araceae family under the philodendron genus. It features dark-green heart-shaped leaves alongside patches and stripes of white.

Apart from the foliage, it also has incredible stems that display a combination of colors, including white, deep purple, and brown.

Is White Knight Philodendron Rare?

Over the years, the white knight philodendron has often been a plant you can’t find easily, which is why it is usually expensive in garden stores.

For instance, on Etsy and other online stores, you can buy it at $100, and it seems in different sizes. However, when it produces in mass, the prices tend to reduce.

Mass production and the subsequent reduction in prices make it more familiar. All the same, the white knight philodendron can be rare in one region or country but less rare in others.

But whichever it is, the white knight philodendron is the same everywhere; hence it will make a perfect addition to your indoor collections.

White Knight Philodendron Care and Growing Guide

White knight philodendron is a gorgeous plant with incredible heart-shaped leaves alongside stunning dark purple, brown, and white stripes on their stems. Some varieties feature dark-green leaves with splashes of white, while others grow all-white leaves.

However, if you want them to continue producing its stunning features, you must follow the growing guide below;

Sunlight Needs

White knight philodendron is an easy-maintenance indoor plant that works best in bright indirect light for 8 to 10 hours daily.

However, unlike several other philodendrons, it can tolerate a bit of direct light, but up to four hours, as excessive light can bleach or burn leaves. 

Lack of light is also not good for your white knight philodendron, as it will change the plant’s leaves to plain green and cause it to stop variegating. In other words, try to imitate its natural climate.

Given that it is native to the rainforests of South America, the best option is to place it where it can get bright indirect light. You can move them close to a window or use artificial lighting.

Soil Needs

The best soil for the white knight philodendron is rich, moist, and well-draining. You can create this type of soil using potting soil, orchid bark, peat moss, and perlite, which will help create a more favorable drainage system and aeration.

Potting soil needs good airflow to help the plant’s roots breathe easily.

Lack of oxygen to the roots can result in its rot. You can add other organic materials such as coco coir, mulch chunks, and coconut husk to the soil to help minimize moisture.

The philodendron white knight tends to curl its roots around these materials and absorb the moisture.

White knight philodendron enjoys staying moist, so it will be best to use materials that will help retain moisture without making the soil soaked. You can add compost or mulch to the soil to enhance the richness the plant will cherish.

Watering Conditions

White knight philodendron enjoys water; hence, it would be best to give them proper bathing to keep their soil moist constantly. However, you must avoid overwatering by any means to keep your plant alive and robust.

Overwatering causes excessively moist soil, reducing the amount of oxygen intake by your plant from the potting soil.

Again, soggy soil can result in root rot, and root rot causes nutrient deficiency, resulting in plant death.

If you want to know when to water your plant, you must feel the soil texture through your fingertips to check for enough moisture in the potting soil; you will find some dirt sticking to your fingers. The dirt will fall off if there is a lack of moisture.

Temperature/Humidity Needs

White knight philodendron thrives in various average household temperatures and humidity levels. But the best temperature for this plant ranges from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Given that it is not a cold or frost-hardy plant, you must take it inside within areas with temperatures around 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below if outside.

You can leave them outside during the summer, but you can bring them in once it reaches late September or early October. Again, the white night philodendron can survive average household humidity but thrive better in high humidity levels. 

For instance, your average room humidity could be 50%, especially in humid areas. But during fall, winter, and early spring, humidity levels tend to drop significantly. It will help to add a humidifier for enhancement, as dry air could invite pests like spider mites into your home.

Fertilizing Needs

The best time to fertilize your white knight philodendron is during the summer and spring seasons, but you must do so minimally because of its foliage. You can use liquid fertilizer, which is ideal for houseplants or indoor plants.

Consider using a slow-release granular fertilizer, and avoid over-feeding your plants to avoid burning or killing your plants.

Pruning & Maintenance Needs

White knight philodendron does not necessarily need pruning since it is a relatively vigorous variety.

However, if you want them to maintain their elegant shape, you can prune them when it shows signs of leaves browning or disease or is losing their variegation. With a pair of sterilized shears, prune the affected areas, and cut less than 25% of the plant. 

Potting & Repotting

When you notice that your white knight philodendron roots have started filling the whole pot, it is a sign that it is time to repot it.

Here, you will see the roots emerging from the soil whenever the plant is removed from the pot. Again, the best time to repot this specie is in the early part of the growing season of spring.

This period is when your white knight philodendron has a greater chance of recovering from any shock and enhances its growth. You must pick a pot that measures 2 inches (5cm) and is more prominent in width and deep.

Once you have placed the plant into the new pot, water it properly until you see water trickling from the drainage holes.

How to Propagate White Knight Philodendron

The best method of propagating white knight philodendron is by cutting in sphagnum moss and perlite. Below are the steps required for this propagation method;

1. First, endeavor to take a cutting of your philodendron alongside a few leaves and one to two nodes.
2. Dampen some sphagnum moss and mix it with perlite.
3. Then, pour into a cup or a clean plastic propagation box before adding the cutting and endeavor to maintain its humidity levels.
4. Please don’t allow the moss to dry completely, keep it moist but not soggy, and place the plant in a warm area.
5. Always check the plant to monitor its root growth, and once the roots are a few inches long, transfer the cutting to the soil.
6. Once the cutting is in the soil, you can keep it moist for some weeks to enable the roots to adjust. Then stop watering and treat the plant like others.

Where to Buy

White knight philodendron is one of the most talked about plants at the moment, yet there is very little in supply, and very expensive.

As much as you might find this stunning specie in some specialty nurseries and plant stores, the most likely place to buy them is Etsy for both small and large plants. Its prices range from $250 (stem cuttings) to $1000 (mature plants).

Common Pests And Plant Diseases Of White Knight Philodendron

White knight philodendron is prone to several common pests and disease attacks, like its siblings, the white princess and pink princess. The most common pests may include scale, fungus gnats, aphids, and mealybugs.

The most common diseases may include root rot and bacterial leaf spot. Below are the preventive or control measures for these pests and diseases;

1. Inspect new plants for potential pests
2. Separate new plants for at least one week
3. Inspect your plants every few days for pests
4. Prune dead or dying leaves
5. Dust off leaves if you see them becoming dusty
6. Ensure you keep your philodendron healthy, as healthy plants can withstand infestation more than unhappy ones.
7. Make sure you separate plants that have contracted pests.

Toxicity

White knight philodendron contains calcium oxalate crystals that poison humans and pets. Therefore, do not consume any part of the plant, as it can cause a burning sensation and swelling of the lips, mouth, throat, and tongue.

If consumed by pets could cause vomiting, loss of appetite, drooling, and pawing at the mouth; hence, it should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Fast Does The White Knight Philodendron Grow?

Like several other variegated plants, the white knight philodendron is a relatively slow grower. Even though its white parts are stunning, they hardly generate enough energy to enhance the plant’s growth.

However, with optimal care conditions and the help of a pole (moss pole, preferably) for climbing, you can aid its growth and larger leaves.

Is White Knight Philodendron Pet-Friendly?

The white knight philodendron is not pet-friendly, so don’t consider keeping it close to your kids or pets. As we noted earlier, consuming it can cause gastrointestinal issues and other unfavorable conditions.

Why Are My White Knight Philodendron’s Leaves Turning Yellow?

If you notice your white knight philodendron changing to yellow color, it could be a sign of overwatering. In other words, once the leaves are fading and turning yellow while the soil is moist, it could be a sign of overwatering and root rot.

On the other hand, if the soil is dry to the touch and leaves are becoming yellow, especially the mature leaves, it could be a sign of under-watering.

Is White Knight Philodendron A Climber?

Yes, the white knight philodendron is a stunning climbing plant. It displays gorgeous, white-variegated foliage and is easy to maintain. It is a slow-growing plant because of its leaf pattern.

How Do You Encourage Variegation In White Knight Philodendron?

If you want to encourage good variegation in white knight philodendron, you must provide it with enough bright indirect light. In other words, ensure it receives at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily.

Conclusion

White knight philodendron is a tropical, gorgeous plant from a famous family called Araceae.

It is a variegated specie that is very rare and expensive, so you mustn’t take it for granted and ensure you give it the proper care it needs, like frequent watering, bright indirect light, high humidity levels, moderate temperature, and moist soil, amongst others.

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