Burle Marx Philodendron Care and Growing Tips

Burle Marx is a houseplant that you will love, particularly considering its attractiveness and easy nature.

For more exceptional beauty, you can try growing your philodendron Burle Marx in a hanging basket and point them in any direction. It is a rapid-growing plant and, given the ideal conditions, tends to spread very quickly.

Burle Marx Philodendron care is not as complex as you think, as long as you grow it under bright indirect sunlight and in a well-draining soil, which you must water if the top 2 inches of the earth are dry.

Its temperature shouldn't be below 64ºF (18ºC), and fertilizing should be carried out once a month during the summer & spring.

Burle Marx Philodendron Origin: What is Burle Marx Philodendron?

Common Name	Philodendron Burle Marx
Botanical Name	Burle Marx Philodendron
Plant Type	Heart-shaped
Family	Araceae
Sun Exposure	Bright indirect light indoors
Mature Size	Up to 24” (60 cm) tall
Soil Type	Well-draining potting mix
Leaf Color	Dark Green with red color stem
Native Area	Tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, South America
Temperature	Between 64 and 79ºF (18 and 26ºC)
Toxicity	Toxic to humans & animals
Cool Hardiness	Not cold hardy

Burle Marx philodendron derived its name from Roberto Burle Marx, the first architect who modern landscape design with native plants.

The Burle Marx is a variety of philodendrons from the Araceae family and a gorgeous vining plant that can adapt to any environment, making it popular among philodendron lovers.

Popular as early as the Victoria era, the plant is one of the perfect examples of low-growing tropical plants and features beautiful and stylized heart-shaped and narrow leaves.

It possesses glossy, dark green leaves and features very attractive, exotic, jungle-like foliage, as well as a fun-looking, red color stem.

Meanwhile, to get the most beautiful sight of your Burle Marx variety, you can plant it inside a hanging basket and position the stems in any perfect location that is suitable for your home.

You can also point the plant anywhere to allow it to grow in separate areas of your choice. The plant also helps to get rid of toxins from the air.

Read Also: Peperomia Types

Is Burle Marx Philodendron Easy To Care For?

Every plant in the philodendron family is known for its easy maintenance, including the Burle Marx philodendron, thereby making it a fascinating prospect for beginners and has its growing conditions and steps that will enable them to grow into the perfect houseplant you desire.

Burle Marx Philodendronn Care and Growing Tips

Here’s how to grow and care for Burle Marx philodendron to ensure a beautiful and healthy plant.

Natural Habitat & Light Requirements

Native to the tropical South American and Asian area, the Burle Marx philodendron is used to bright indirect sunlight conditions. Therefore, you must imitate its natural habitat if you want your plant to grow into the perfect plant you desire in your home.

Although it can survive in low light, it wouldn't be as healthy and happy as in perfect bright indirect light conditions. Again, excessive direct sunlight is detrimental to your plant, as it can burn its leaves. The light can even burn right through them.

Another disastrous effect of direct sunlight on your Burle Marx is producing black scorch marks on the leaves. At the very least, the sun will change the color of the leaves to yellow.

The perfect position for your plant to receive indirect light is placing them in either a north or east-facing window.

Watering

Watering the Burle Marx philodendron is the same way of watering other philodendron varieties. The common objective is to maintain its soil moisture and find the proper balance. You wouldn't want soaked soil, but, likewise, an excessive dry one isn't an option.

Overwatering of your plant will make it to be susceptible to several diseases and root rot. If you notice that your plant is being overwatered, the best option at that point is to remove the plant to check the root damage.

If only small parts of the roots are in danger, you can prune the affected parts with a sterilized pruning tool. 

On the other hand, if the spoilt area is more than half of the plant's root, then there's nothing you can do about it, which is why watering is the trickiest part of philodendron care requirements. Again, the watering of the Burle Marx differs with seasons.

For instance, during the spring and summer, you are required to water it frequently, at least every once a week or thereabout, so that it will retain its moisture. However, you can allow the soil to dry out during the winter season before watering your plant.

Humidity & Temperature

The perfect temperature for your Burle Marx philodendron should be ranging between 60°F to 75°F (16°C to 24°C). Anything less than the above will undoubtedly stunt the growth of the plant. If it reduces below 50°F (10°C) at the very least, your plant will stop growing.

Humidity-wise, the Burle Marx is a tropical plant that thrives in high humidity levels. Even though it can tolerate low humidified rooms, it won't be great for your desired plant.

Fortunately, there are certain things you must do to retain moisture in the air to copy the tropical climate your plant can genuinely enjoy.

You can use a humidifier to improve the humidity level in the room around your plant. Mist the leaves using a spray bottle. Immediately the water evaporates, it produces moisture around your plant.

With the pebble tray method, increase the humidity level in the room. All you will require is a tray, pebbles, and water. 

Then, make sure the tray is filled with pebbles. Pour water in the tray while ensuring the water level is close to the top and doesn't get past the pebbles. After that, you can position your plant on top of the pebbles to allow the evaporating air to get to it directly.

Read Also: Types of Lilies

Soil Requirements

If you want to get the best out of your Burle Marx philodendron, you have to use an ideal soil mix that is well-draining and will offer enough aeration.

The roots of this plant require enough oxygen to maintain and be healthy. If you are using a cumbersome soil mix, it stands a greater chance of developing root rot. 

It can also cause the plant to suffer too much stress, and failure to treat it immediately will cause the death of the plant.

It will go well in a well-draining soil mix that contains two parts coco coir, two parts orchid bark, 1.5 parts perlite, 1.5 parts charcoal, 1 part worm castings, and 0.5 part sphagnum moss.

Fertilizing Needs

If you want your Burle Marx philodendron's efficient growth, you must either use a top-quality slow-release fertilizer or an all-purpose fertilizer. Whichever one you're going for, ensure it contains a high amount of nitrogen. 

The best time to feed your plant is once a week in the growing period, and during cold weather seasons, you can bring it down to once a month.

Water your plant to ensure the soil is moist before fertilizing your plant because if the soil is dry when fertilizing, it can lead to devastating damage to the plant's roots.

Planting (Potting & Repotting)

Immediately you find out that the root has started to compact and turn into a ball, which means it's time to repot.

It will therefore provide enough space for the roots to stretch out and grow. You would want to repot the Burle Marx philodendron before the growing season so that it can be repotted before new growth happens. 

Whenever you want to repot any philodendron plant, including the Burle Marx, you must ensure that the new pot is a little bigger than the previous. Using two to three inches bigger could be the best option.

How to Prune Burle Marx Philodendron

Pruning the Burle Marx philodendron is unnecessary, but pruning back the plant will make it grow more compact and bushier.

If the plant occupies much space or looks long and leggy, you're allowed to prune the plant. But ensure you use a pruning shear and cut back the plant where it grows leggy and tall.

How to Propagate Burle Marx Philodendron

There are three ways of propagating the Burle Marx philodendron: stem cuttings, air layering, and seeds methods.

However, the most straightforward and successful approach to reproducing the Burle Marx philodendron is stem cuttings or air layering. Propagating this plant with seeds can be a bit more stressful and difficult.

Propagation by Stem Cuttings Method

Propagating the Burle Marx by stem cuttings is easy and is made up of four steps.

1. The first thing you have to do is, begin with the first cut about 0.5-1 inches (~1 cm) under a node using a sterile cutting or a sharp knife. Make sure you make a cut that features at least a node, two healthy aerial roots, and a fully grown leaf.
2. Followed by retrieving your cuttings and placing them gently into a container filled with water, and at the same time, ensuring that the nodes (including the aerial roots) are entirely soaked in water. After about 3 to 4 weeks, you should be exposing the cuttings to bright partial sunlight and constantly re-water at least every 3 to 4 days.
3. Immediately the roots of the cuttings are around 2 inches long; you can commence with planting the cuttings using a well-draining potting mix and a container that features drainage holes. This plant thrives when there’s enough aeration in the soil; therefore, it’d be best to pot the plant in 100% leca.
4. Once you are done with propagating, you can start caring for the plant in the same way you will do for it before propagation.
5. If you’ve used 100% leca for the plant (which it undoubtedly prefers), you can fill the planter with water, at least to the halfway point, and allow the medium to dry out thoroughly before you re-water.

Read Also: Philodendron Golden Goddess

Propagation by Air Layering Method

It can be propagated by the air layering method using seven steps. Check them out below;

1. First, you’ve to pick any node of your choice and ensure it features dark green and healthy aerial roots. Ensure the node also features at least one adult leaf.
2. Next, pick a moist sphagnum moss (a handful will do) and place it all through the aerial roots of the node that you wish to propagate with.
3. After that, using a plastic wrap, wrap it firmly around the sphagnum moss. Ensure the moss you are going with is sufficient enough to go round the aerial roots underneath the node.
4. Gradually inspect the aerial roots at least once or twice a week by removing the plastic wrap and ensuring that the sphagnum moss is still wet.
5. When you notice that the aerial roots have grown at least 2 inches (5 cm) long, it is best to obliterate the sphagnum moss and prune the stem at least 2 inches underneath the roots.
6. Once you’re through with cutting the stem below the root, simply place the cutting in 100% leca or well-draining potting soil.
7. You’re free to start caring for the plant in the same way you would care for it under normal conditions. 

The propagation by air layering method is essential mainly to help you understand if the node you wish to propagate with will work (without any real danger of damaging the plant).

Propagation by Seeds Method

An alternative way to propagate the Burle Marx apart from the previously mentioned two is the seeds method. Check out the following steps to this method;

1. You can start with getting ready a well-draining soil mix and placing it inside a bit of container, and watering it.
2. After that, you proceed with getting your seeds ready by placing them inside a tray featuring lukewarm water for at least one or two days.
3. Then, cultivate the seeds ⅓ inch (~1 cm) deep into the soil and at least 2 inches (5 cm) from each other.
4. Cover the soil using plastic wrap to maintain a high humidity level and bring the pot out to receive bright partial sunlight.
5. Ensure the temperature around the seed during that period is not less than 70°F (21°C), as it will enhance its growth and, at the same time, increase germination.
6. With a spray water bottle, water the soil regularly, at least once a week, to enable the soil to stay moist but not too wet.
7. Be patient for about one month, and you should see the seeds beginning to sprout.
8. Immediately the seedlings have germinated, you are free to commence with the routine of less humidity by taking off the plastic wrap for increasing blocks of time. After about 3 to 4 weeks, you can remove the plastic wrap altogether.
9. Make sure the soil retains its moisture level as the seedlings are still small.
10. Immediately the seedlings have grown a bit mature; you can allow the soil to dry out a bit more between watering.
11. Finally, start giving the plant the care that its normal situation would require.

Frequently Asked Questions

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