Strawberry Shake Philodendron is a colorful houseplant that displays an impressive show of bright hues in a single plant.
Here are the best Tips for Growing Strawberry Shake Philodendron Indoors, ensuring its optimal growth and beauty in your home garden.
Strawberry Shake Philodendron Profile
The Strawberry Shake Philodendron (Philodendron erubescens ‘Strawberry Shake’) is an exquisite indoor plant admired for its striking variegation of pink, yellow, green, and cream hues. Originally found in the lush rainforests of South America, this exceptional hybrid of P. erubescens is popular for its scarcity and high cost.
Although primarily sought after by avid houseplant collectors and enthusiasts, its popularity is increasing as more people become interested in variegated houseplants.
Propagating Strawberry Shake Philodendron
- Use sharp pruning shears or scissors to take a stem cutting from a healthy strawberry shake philodendron plant.
- The cutting should have three to five nodes and at least one leaf.
- Remove the lower leaves from the cutting, leaving a few leaves at the top.
- Prepare a glass container with either sphagnum moss or water to root the cutting. Both methods work well, so choose whichever you prefer.
- If using sphagnum moss, soak it early to rehydrate it.
- Place the stem cutting in the container, ensuring that the nodes along the bottom are fully submerged in the water or sphagnum moss.
- Put the cutting in a spot with bright, indirect light and ample humidity.
- If your home is dry, you can cover the cutting with a clear plastic bag to increase humidity. Remember to remove the bag for 10 to 15 minutes once a week to prevent mold.
- When using sphagnum moss, keep it evenly moist at all times.
If growing in water, change it once a week. Within a couple of weeks, roots should start to emerge.
Once the roots are at least an inch long, you can plant the cutting in soil. Prepare a small pot with a well-draining, moist potting mix and gently place the cutting in it.
How to Make a Philodendron Strawberry Shake Pink?
The variegation of a Strawberry Shake Philodendron becomes more vibrant pink with increased light exposure. However, it’s important to keep the plant in bright, indirect light and avoid direct sunlight.
Ideal Indoors Growing Conditions for Strawberry Shake Philodendron
Location
This plant needs ample light to maintain its dynamic color. However, its delicate leaves are sensitive to direct sunlight, so it should be placed in bright, indirect light. The ideal location for this philodendron is near a sunny window, but it should be positioned to avoid direct sunlight on its leaves.
Insufficient light can cause the plant to lose its variegation permanently and result in leggy and unappealing growth.
Soil
It is crucial to use a well-draining soil mix that retains some moisture for the strawberry shake philodendron. Choosing a soil mix specifically formulated for aroids is recommended, as it provides good aeration and drainage.
Alternatively, you can create your own aroid soil blend by combining equal parts indoor potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark.
Water
Maintain the soil moisture of the strawberry shake philodendron, but avoid overwatering. To prevent it, let the top one to two inches of soil dry out before watering thoroughly.
Remember to allow excess water to drain completely from the pot’s drainage holes before placing the plant back in its original spot.
Temperature and Humidity
This plant typically prefers temperatures between 65°F (18°C) and 85°F (29°C) during the day. They can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures at night, but it’s generally best to avoid temperatures below 55°F (13°C) as it may harm the plant.
Philodendrons appreciate humidity levels between 50% and 70%. If the air in your home or the area where you plan to grow the Strawberry Shake Philodendron is dry, you can increase humidity by misting the leaves with water, placing the plant on a tray filled with water and pebbles, or using a humidifier.
Read: Dragon Tail Philodendron Care
Strawberry Shake Philodendron Care
Fertilizer
The strawberry shake philodendron only requires fertilization once a month during the spring and summer. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer, diluted to half strength, immediately after watering. Stop fertilizing in early fall when temperatures start to decrease.
Repotting
Depending on how it’s growing, a strawberry shake philodendron may need to be repotted every one to two years or when it becomes too big for its current pot. If you notice roots coming out of the drainage holes or circling inside the pot, it’s a sign that your plant needs a new container.
The ideal time to repot this philodendron is during spring and summer.
Pests and Diseases
Look out for signs of pests in this philodendron variety, such as mealybugs, scale, fungus gnats, and thrips. If you see pests in your plant, use a natural or commercial insecticide to address the issue. You can also take preventive measures by treating your plant regularly to avoid infestations.
The main diseases to be aware of for this philodendron are root rot and fungal leaf spot. Root rot is often caused by excessive watering, so it’s important to provide proper drainage. Fungal leaf spots can spread between plants. If your plant is infected, use a fungicide and keep it separate from other houseplants until the disease is treated.
Toxicity
Pet owners and parents must be aware that strawberry shake philodendrons, like all philodendrons, can be harmful if ingested by pets or children.