The Philodendron ‘Strawberry Shake’ is a popular houseplant known for its unique variegated foliage. This natural hybrid of Philodendron erubescens displays green, cream, pink, and orange tones. Its vibrant coloration and climbing habit make it a captivating addition to any indoor plant collection.
Strawberry Shake Philodendron Care
Light Requirements
The ‘Strawberry Shake’ Philodendron thrives in bright, indirect light, which maintains its vibrant coloration. An east or west-facing window, filtered by sheer curtains, provides ideal light. Direct sunlight can scorch leaves and burn variegated sections. Insufficient light can lead to a loss of variegation, causing leaves to revert to green. Low light also promotes leggy, weak growth with elongated internodal spaces.
Watering Practices
Watering prevents root rot. Water the ‘Strawberry Shake’ Philodendron when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry. Saturate soil until water drains, then empty excess from saucer. Overwatering leads to soggy soil, preventing nutrient absorption and causing root rot, indicated by yellowing lower leaves and mushy stems. Underwatering can cause leaves to droop, wrinkle, or turn brown and crispy.
Soil and Potting
A well-draining, airy, and chunky soil mix is ideal for the ‘Strawberry Shake’ Philodendron. This substrate allows aeration, drainage, and moisture retention. A suitable aroid mix includes orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir or peat moss. Drainage holes are paramount; the plant will not tolerate standing water. A soil pH between 5 and 7 is acceptable.
Temperature and Humidity
This tropical plant prefers warm temperatures, between 65-80°F (18-27°C). Temperatures below 55°F (12°C) can harm it. Maintain stable temperatures and protect from cold drafts. The ‘Strawberry Shake’ Philodendron thrives in high humidity, ideally 60-80%. Lower humidity can result in brown or crispy leaf edges; increase humidity with a humidifier, pebble tray, or by grouping plants.
Fertilization
During the active growing season, the ‘Strawberry Shake’ Philodendron benefits from regular fertilization. Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half strength, monthly. Avoid over-fertilization, which can lead to nutrient burn (yellow or burnt leaf edges) and chemical salt buildup. Reduce or stop fertilization in fall and winter when growth slows.
Propagating Strawberry Shake Philodendron
Propagating the ‘Strawberry Shake’ Philodendron is done through stem cuttings. Select a healthy stem with at least one node and a few leaves. Using sharp, sterilized shears, make a clean cut below a node. Remove any bottom leaves, leaving at least one node exposed.
Root cuttings in water or a moist medium like sphagnum moss or perlite. In water, submerge nodes while keeping leaves above the waterline. For moss or perlite, keep the medium consistently moist. Place the cutting in bright, indirect light and maintain high humidity to encourage rooting. Roots develop within 4-8 weeks; once several inches long, transplant into a well-draining potting mix.
Repotting Strawberry Shake Philodendron
Repotting a ‘Strawberry Shake’ Philodendron is necessary every one to two years, or when root-bound. Signs include roots growing from drainage holes, circling the pot, or stunted growth. The best time to repot is during the spring or summer growing season, as the plant recovers more easily.
Choose a new container only 1-2 inches larger in diameter. A pot that is too large retains too much moisture, increasing root rot risk. Gently remove the plant from its old pot without damaging roots. Place the plant in the new pot at the same depth, refreshing the soil with a chunky aroid mix. After repotting, water thoroughly and return to its usual location.
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
The ‘Strawberry Shake’ Philodendron can experience a few common issues, often linked to its environment. Loss of variegation, where colorful patterns fade and leaves turn green, is caused by insufficient light. Increase bright, indirect light and prune reverted green sections to encourage variegated growth.
Leggy growth, characterized by elongated stems and widely spaced leaves, indicates insufficient light. Move to brighter, indirect light and prune leggy sections for bushier growth. Brown or crispy leaf edges are often a sign of low humidity or underwatering. Increase humidity with humidifiers or pebble trays, and adjust watering to prevent excessive drying.
Yellowing leaves can result from overwatering (leading to root rot). Underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or temperature fluctuations also cause yellowing. Inspect soil moisture and the plant’s environment to diagnose. Pests like spider mites, mealybugs, thrips, and scale insects can infest; regular inspection and prompt treatment with neem oil or insecticidal soap manage pests. Root rot and fungal leaf spot diseases occur from overwatering or poor air circulation; treat with fungicides and ensure good drainage.