Philodendron Narrow Care Instructions

Philodendron Narrow 

Scientific name: Philodendron Narrow
Synonyms: Philodendron Jungle Boogie, Philodendron Narrow Tiger Tooth, Philodendron Narrow Green, Sharks Tooth

The Philodendron Narrow is an extremely popular and easy to grow Philodendron variety. It has beautiful long narrow green, heavily serrated edged leaves that exude exotic jungle vibes.

Originating mainly in South America Philodendrons are often found in Rainforests, Swamps, as well as along Riverbanks, owing to their love of organically rich moist soil and warm conditions to thrive. These relatively fuss-free houseplants that do well in bright light and can also handle some lower lighting conditions.

NOTE: These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children.

Common Symptoms

  • Brown edges on leaves:  There are many causes for dry leaf tips on Philodendron Narrow but the most common cause is under watering and dry air. Even though Philodendrons can be drought-tolerant they prefer their soil to stay barely moist to thrive. Prolonged exposure to dry soil will cause brown crisp edging on your houseplant. Rectify this by watering on a more regular basis and checking the soil often to see how dry it is. If watering is not the issue, then dry air can be the cause of leaf tips drying out. This is easily remedied by placing your plant on a pebble tray.
  • Yellowing leaves/droopy: Over watering is the leading cause of houseplant expiration in most homes. Yellowing leaves is the first sign of a plant that is being over watered. Amend this by allowing your soil to dry out two-thirds of the way before watering again. Be sure that your planter is draining correctly and use the guide of watering weekly during summer months and less often in winter.
  • Washed out foliage/ Brown crisp patches: As much as your Philodendron loves bright light, too much direct sunlight can leave your leaves looking dull and washed out. Direct sunlight can also burn the foliage leaving unsightly brown patches on the leaves. Monitor the light around your Philodendron, if it is harsh, relocate your plant to a bright but sheltered spot.
  • Stunted growth/small leaves: Your houseplant may not be getting enough light. If the leaves are deep green and your plant has small leaves, this is a clear indication of a lack of light. Philodendron Narrow prefers medium to bright light to thrive, so if your plant is not performing well it is best to relocate to a brighter spot. 
  • Pests: Pest problems are uncommon with Philodendron, however, stressed houseplants can be susceptible to pest infestations leading to excessive yellowing fronds and leaf drop. Mealybug, scale and spider mites are common indoor plant pests and can weaken your plant relatively quickly if left untreated. Adjust environmental stressors for your house plant and treat infestations with an organic pesticide.

    Care Instructions

    • Origin: South America
    • Height: Average 60 - 90cm indoors
    • Light: Medium to bright filtered light.
    • Water: Allow the soil to dry out two-thirds between watering. Prevent prolonged dryness.
    • Humidity: Average room humidity is sufficient.
    • Temperature: Ideal temperatures range from 18°C - 24°C.
    • Soil: A well-draining moisture retentive organic potting mix is sufficient.
    • Fertilizer: Use a well balanced organic fertilizer once a month.
    • Repotting: It is best to re-pot your Philodendron Narrow once it has become pot bound or is top-heavy. Re-pot plant into a container one size bigger than its previous container with good drainage. Be sure to use an organically rich well-draining potting mix.
    • Propagation:  Stem cuttings is one of the most successful ways of propagating your Philodendron Narrow. To do this cut 7.5 centimetres below a joint in a leaf stem and remove lower leaves near the cut. Place your cutting in a container filled with water and place in a filtered bright light position. When roots have developed to be approximately 10cm in length, plant the cutting in a small pot with good quality well-draining potting soil. Keep the soil moist until your cutting has established and has produced a new leaf. It is best to take cutting during the growing season.

    If in stock, shop for Philodendron Narrow here.

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