Philodendron Tortum - Teak And Terracotta

Welcome to our guide to philodendron tortum care and propagation. The philodendron tortum needs quite high humidity levels, but other than that is an easy going houseplant, read on for more on this slender leaved beauty…

Philodendron Tortum Summary

Light needs:	Medium to bright indirect sunlight.
Watering needs:	Water if top 50% of soil is dry, check weekly.
Fertilizer:	A well diluted balanced feed once a month in summer.
Soil:	A well-draining, loose, organic soil.
Humidity:	60-70%.
Temperature:	18°C to 25°C (64-77°F).
Where to buy:	Try a Rare Plant Shop.
Common issues:	Pests and irregular watering.

Introduction

Welcome to our guide to the philodendron tortum, known for its long thin funky foliage. It’s a beautiful slender-leaved plant high up on many plant wish lists. This is a living piece of art to be honest! They

Philodendron Tortum Summary Light Needs

Medium to bright indirect sunlight is ideal for a tortum. Be careful not to burn the leaves with direct sunlight.

How Often to Water

Water if the top 50% of soil is dry, check it once a week. Philodendrons can be susceptible to root rot from overwatering so be really careful not to over do it, better to underwater than overwater this one.

Tip: when it comes to watering keep them slightly moist but not soaking wet, tip out excess water after watering so they don’t get a soggy bottom!

Fertilizer

Use a balanced feed once a month in summer, start off with it really diluted. If you don’t feed your plant.

Philodendron Tortum Summary Soil

Use a well draining, loose, organic soil. Remember you don’t want a soggy bottom! The roots should not sit in wet soil as they can get root rot, so add perlite and make sure the potting medium does not hold water.

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

Tortums grow fairly quickly. Repot it once a year in spring to give it a bit more space and refresh the nutrients in the pot. You can repot it year round, but it is recommended to do it in Spring so that it grows into its new pot.

Philodendron Tortum Summary Humidity

60-70% humidity is ideal for a philodendron tortum.

Tip: Keep them humid, at least 60% in the day and they’ll be ok with a bit less at night. You can buy a humidity meter (affiliate link) to keep an eye on maximum and minimum levels.

Temperature

18°C to 25°C (64-77°F) is a good range, so it will do well in your home.

Where To Buy

It is a specialist plant, so try one of these Rare Plant Shops.

Philodendron Tortum Propagation

Tortums can be propagated just like most philodendrons by taking a stem cutting with a node, follow these steps:

Locate a good stem with a node and leaf. the node is the knuckle-lkie area of the stem that leaves and sometimes aerial roots grow from.
Cut it just below the node, so you get a leaf with a stem at the top and the node at bottom.
Let the cutting callous over for an hour or two so that the wound heals, this makes it much less likely to rot.
Put the cutting in a jar of water (filtered tap water will do) and put it in a warm bright spot away from direct sun.
Wait 1 to 2 months and the cutting should root well. Replace the water only if it goes cloudy or evaporates
Plant it up to a new pot and water it in.

Done!

Is It Toxic To Cats?

They are toxic to cats, contact your vet if your pet eats any.

Is It A Climber Or Crawler?

The Philodendron Tortum is a climbing philodendron.

Philodendron Tortum Vs Elegans

You can tell the difference between these plants as the elegans has more leaf surface area, the tortum is much slender.

FAQs and Common Problems

As long as you water them well but not too much and and keep them humid they will do well. Look out for pests like aphids and mealy bugs.