Philodendron Gabby - Care And Propagation Guide

All you need to know about philodendron gabby care and propagation. The key is to give them lots of indirect sun, but not direct and make sure the soil does not get too soggy…

Philodendron Gabby Summary

Light needs:	Low light to bright indirect sunlight.
Watering needs:	Water when top 40% of soil is dry, check weekly.
Fertilizer:	A well-diluted balanced fertilizer once a month in spring and summer.
Soil:	A well draining compost.
Humidity:	50-60%.
Temperature:	20°C-27°C (70-80°F).
Where to buy:	Try our list of Rare Plant Shops or Etsy.
Common issues:	Leaf crisping due to underwatering / too much sun. Fading variegation due to low light.

Buy this plant on Etsy

Introduction

The philodendron gabby is a very variegated philodendron hederaceum. It’s a climbing/vining philodendron. It has loads of white and creamy variegation on it. It is a real beauty. It is a ‘sport’ grown by Gabriella Plants, which was produced from taking cuttings from the same plants for a few generations without mixing with others. They also grow the philodendron rio.

Tip: we recommend Etsy for buying plants. Look for the best rated seller you can, and try to buy as close to your home as possible so the plant does not travel too far.

A note about affiliate links: when you buy a plant, pots, soil, or other goods through links on this article we sometimes earn a commission. It doesn’t cost you anything, but it really helps us out if you do use them. Thanks a lot! An example of this is if you buy a plant on Etsy using this link. Read our privacy policy for more information. Thanks again.

Philodendron Gabby Light Needs

A philodendron gabby will do well in most areas of your home from low light areas to lots of indirect sunlight. Just don’t give it direct sun.

Tip: I give my variegated plants as much sun as I can without giving them any direct. They need light to grow, especially as the variegated parts of the leaves do not convert the sun’s energy as well as the green parts, but don’t let it get any direct sun, it can burn the cream variegated parts easily.

How Often to Water

Water it if the top 40% of soil is dry, check once a week. Hederaceum are really tolerant of under watering, and some overwatering, but try to check them weekly for the healthiest growth.

Fertilizer

Feed it a well-diluted balanced fertilizer once a month in the spring and summer. Although not totally necessary to feed them, they can grow quicker and bigger if you do.

Philodendron Gabby Soil

A well draining compost is ideal, add some perlite if you use a standard compost. You can use a mix of orchid bark, perlite and normal potting compost too. For more on Philodendron soil see our guide on what to buy or how to make your own: P h ilodendron Soil.

When To Repot A Philodendron Gabby

Repot it when it gets pot bound. Pot it up one or two sizes. You can do this any time of the year, the best time is in spring so the plant fills out its new pot over the growing season. This is a good time to cut the plant back and make it the shape you want it, as well as propagate some cuttings.

Tip: You can make the plant fuller and bushier when you repot it by getting by taking cuttings a month or two before (use this as a chance to get rid of leggy stems), then water propagate them. You can then pot them back in with the main plant when you repot for a fuller and more bushy plant.

philodendron gabby - close up of variegation — philodendron gabby – close up of variegation

Humidity

50-60% is optimum, so giving them a bit more humidity than normal homes is best. However they will do ok in lower humidity areas.

Temperature

20°C-27°C (70-80°F) is ideal, don’t let them get down to below 10°C (50°F).

How To Propagate A Philodendron Gabby

They propagate easily, I would recommend taking cuttings and rooting them in water before moving them to a good aroid soil. Follow these steps:

Take some cuttings with clean scissors, you want to get one node and one leaf. You can propagate a lot in one go by taking a whole branch and cutting between each node to give a lot of cuttings quickly.
Let the cuttings callous over for a few hours so the wounds are fully healed over. If you put them in water or soil unhealed they can rot more easily.
Put the cuttings in a jar of filtered tap water and keep it in indirect sunlight and in a warm part of your home. If the water goes cloudy change it, but if it does not, just keep it topped up. You can reduce the chance of cloudiness by keeping leaves out of the water.
After one or two months the roots should be fairly big and you can then pot it up into soil. Use a mix suitable for philodendrons (see: Philodendron Soil).
Once potted up in soil, keep them fairly humid for a month or two until they have taken. Then you can treat them as juvenile plants.

Is A Philodendron Gabby Toxic To Cats?

They are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, as they contain calcium oxalate crystals. Seek vets advice if you think you pet has eaten any.

philodendron gabby USDA Zone

Zones 9b-11.

Where To Buy

Try one of these Rare Plant Shops. Or Etsy.

Other Names

Gabby port, hederaceum gabby.

Philodendron Gabby Vs Cream Splash

Both the gabby and cream splash are cream variegated philodendron hederaceum plants. The cream splash has much more green on it, where as the gabby has more cream than green. The gabby is predominantly cream. If the plant is predominantly green with a cream center then it is most likely the cream splash.

Philodendron Gabby Vs Rio

The rio and gabby and similar sized plants, but the rio has more green on the leaves, while the gabby is predominantly cream and light green.

Philodendron Gabby Vs Brazil

The brasil is a green, light agree and yellow hederaceum, and it is predominantly green, whereas the gabby has rounder leaves and is mainly cream colored.

FAQs and Common Problems

Common issues with philodendron gabby include crisping and browning of leaves due to underwatering or too much sun. Also the variegation can fade, if it does, give it a bit more light, but make sure it is indirect sunlight.

Additional Resources

Links:

More info on the Kew Gardens plant page.
Gabriella Plant’s page on the different type including the Gabby which they bred.