Q. There's something wrong with me Heartleaf Philodendron. Help!
Hi! My Heartleaf Philodendron growing a very long stem, has lost all of it's leaves but one, and is growing away from the window it's next to. What might be wrong? Photos attached.
The windowsill is on top of a steam heater and next to a built in air conditioning unit - it is unfortunately the only windowsill in the apartment that is wide enough to hold the plant. Our ghost chili plant did something similar - it grew a very tall long stem, lost most of the leaves except for the top, and only produced one chili. We are unsure what to do - do we try to propagate the plant, move it away from the window sill, change the soil? Any help is welcome!
Answer
There are hundreds of species of philodendron from tropical America. Yours appears to be the popular heartleaf philodendron, P. scandens. I believe the bare stemmed plant may be overpotted (too large a container). When did you repot last? When a plant is overpotted, and then watered, can stay too wet. Yes, in winter less watering is practiced. Also, you have a climber that needs something to attach to, such as a sphagnum moss covered thick wooden stake inserted into the middle of the container.
Link of images - https://www.google.com/search?q=heartleaf+philodendron+climbing&rlz=1C1GGRV_enUS758US758&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiZhfrM3-nZAhWEtlkKHc3iACAQsAQIJg&biw=1280&bih=617
Hope this helps.
