Philodendron Burle Marx Care - Teak And Terracotta

Philodendron burle marx care is all about keeping it’s roots in a well draining medium and only watering it when the soil is mostly dry…

Philodendron Burle Marx Care Summary

Light needs:	Bright indirect sunlight.
Watering needs:	Check weekly, water if top 50% of the soil is dry.
Fertilizer:	A balanced fertilizer once a month in spring and summer.
Soil:	A well draining potting mix with 20% perlite.
Humidity:	50%.
Temperature:	18-25ºC (64-77ºF).
Where to buy:	Try our list of Rare Plant Shops or Etsy.
Common issues:	Overwatering, mealy bugs.

Buy this plant on Etsy

Introduction

The philodendron burle marx is a really decorative climbing philodendron, named after the Brazilian architect, Roberto Burle Marx, famous for his work with plants in architecture.

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.

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Light Needs

Bright indirect sunlight is ideal for this plant, just don’t let it get burnt by direct sunlight.

How Often to Water

Check your plant once a week but only water it if the top 50% of soil is dry. Check it with your finger. The most common cause of death in philodendrons is overwatering so just be careful.

Fertilizer

You can feed this plant a balanced fertilizer once a month in the spring and summer months, it will help to promote growth.

Soil

A well draining soil his essential for philodendrons because if the roots sit in wet waterlogged soil they can get root rot very easily. So use a very well draining compost and if you are using a standard potting compost from the shop add about 20% perlite.

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

Repot once a year in spring to give the roots some space and refresh the nutrients in the soil.

Humidity

This philodendron will like 50% humidity which is at the higher end of normal households so if you have a dryer household think about putting a wet tray of pebbles underneath the philodendron to increase the local humidity level or give it a spray with water a few times a week.

Temperature

The ideal range is 18°C to 25°C (64-77°F). They will be fine in most homes.

Philodendron Burle Marx Propagation

Like most philodendrons, the burle marx is easy to propagate with a stem cutting in leca or sphagnum moss. Just follow these steps:

Take a stem cutting that has at least one node and two leaves.
Wait a couple of hours so that the cut wounds heeal over. This will reduce the chance of the propagation rotting.
Bury the cutting in a cup of pre-soaked leca or sphagnum moss.
Put it in a warm and bright spot (but no direct sun) and keep it moist and humid to encourage root.
The roots should start to develop over the next one or two months.
Once it starts to grow foliage from the top of the plant you can pot it up into a bigger plant pot.

We go into more detail on on propagating philodendrons, in our guide here: How To Propagate Philodendron.

Be sure to see all Philodendron Burle Marx propagation articles here: Burle Marx Water Propagation, Burle Marx Propagation In Leca, Burle Marx Propagation In Sphagnum Moss, Propagating Burle Marx From Nodes / Wet Stick, Burle Marx Propagation In Soil, Burle Marx Variegata Reverting.

Philodendron Burle Marx Price

At time of writing they go for 25 euros for a small one up to 80 for larger plants. In the USA they go for 40-80 USD. See Etsy (affiliate link) for their current price or to buy one.

Philodendron Burle Marx Size

They can grow to about 70 cms high (just over 2 feet).

Why Is My Philodendron Burle Marx Drooping?

They droop from over and underwatering, so make sure you are checking them weely but only watering if the soil is mostly dry. If you have over watered it you can take it out of the soil and let it dry out at the roots for a day or so then put it back into dry soil.

Can Philodendron Burle Marx Grow In Water?

Yes they can grow in water alone. Take a cutting and root it in soil. Then keep the water topped up and you can keep it living in water ongoing.

Philodendron Burle Marx Variegata — Some of my Burle Marx Props In Water

For more on philodendrons see our philodendron category with all our philodendron care guides.

Philodendron Burle Marx Vs Billietiae

They are similar but the billietiae has much more elongated leaves. Also the billietiae has darker stems.

Is It A Climber Or A Crawler?

The Burle Marx is a climbing philodendron.

Is It Toxic To Cats?

They are toxic to cats if eaten, and can cause vomiting and numbness. So seek vets advice immediately if your pet eats any.

Philodendron Burle Marx USDA Zone

They can grow outdoors year-round in zones 9b-11.

Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated

The philodendron burle marx variegated is a beautifully variegated version of the burle marx with big yellow patches to its variegation aswell as mottling in other areas on the leaf. It is highly in demand and absolutely stunning. It needs the same care instructions as the standard version of the plant but you just have to be a bit careful that the plant’s light needs are met properly. If you if you give it too little light the variegation might fade but if you give it too much the variegation might burn so you just have to pay a bit more special attention to the sunlight it receives – plenty of indirect is good, but no direct sun.

Philodendron Burle Marx Fantasy

The Burle Marx Fantasy is a small climbing philodendron with really pointed water droplet shaped leaves. The philodendron burle marx fantasy is very different from the normal Burle Marx, they do not have a great deal in common but both are named after the architect Burle Marx.

Where To Buy

Try one of these Rare Plant Shops. Or Etsy.

Other Names

Philodendron burle-marxii

Philodendron Burle Marx Care FAQs and Common Problems

Keep an eye out for common pests on the leaves like mealybugs and especially thrips at watering. Even if you can’t see bugs, but you see damage to the leaves, then treat the plants. Also be very careful of root rot, as with all philodendrons they must not sit in waterlogged soil make sure they’re in a well draining potting medium and that you dump out excess water after watering.

Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated Reverted

If your variegated plant starts to revert and lose its variegation, the best thing to do is to give it more sunlight to encourage the variegation. You can cut off the newer, less variegated leaves too.