How to Take Care of a Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated

The Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated is a rare plant that is both low-maintenance and beautiful to have in your home, which is what everyone wants. This plant stands out because each leaf will be a slightly different color. Some leaves will be dark green, while others will be creamy yellow.

Not only is the plant low-maintenance and beautiful, but it is a fast grower, which means you will know if your plant care is working or not. Here is the complete care guide for a Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated plant.

Table of Contents

Where Did the Name Come from Originally?

The name of this plant comes from Roberto Burle Marx, who was an architect in Brazil. Roberto Burle Marx would use native plants of Brazil in his work, like a Burle Marx.

Common Names

Variegated Burle Marx
Philodendron Burle Marx Variegata
Roberto Burle Marx Variegated Plant

What Soil Works Best for a Burle Marx Variegated?

Regular potting soil that is fast draining works best for a Burle Marx Variegated. Consider using a potting mix with coco coir, perlite, orchid bark, and peat moss. The Burle Marx also enjoys slightly acidic soil, so adding coffee grounds can be an excellent decision for the soil. It is best to use a soil testing kit beforehand to measure the before and after so you don’t go overboard with the soil’s acidity.

In addition to the potting mix, you want to have this plant in a container with drainage holes. Drainage holes allow any excess water to flow out of the bottom of the container. Having holes in the pot and good draining soil helps reduce the risk of root rot, which occurs from overwatering the plant.

Finally, you can put a pole in the soil to allow the plant to latch onto it as it grows. Since this plant has aerial roots, it can grab onto the stick as it grows up in the air.

Can You use a Houseplant Fertilizer?

You can use liquid fertilizer on this plant during the growing season. If this is your first time giving this plant fertilizer, consider giving half the dosage that the back of the bottle says. Since this is a tropical plant accustomed to absorbing leftover nutrients in the soil, you don’t want to give it too much all at once.

How Much Sunlight Does a Variegated Burle Marx Need?

Bright indirect light works best for a Variegated Burle Marx, so consider placing it in front of an east-facing window. If the plant does not receive enough light or is in constant low light areas in your home, it will struggle with new growth, and the leaves will begin wilting. However, if you give this plant too much direct sunlight, you risk burning the leaves.

What Temperature Works Best for a Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated?

Anything above 65 degrees Fahrenheit works great for a Philodendron Burle Marx. The plant can tolerate temperatures dropping to 50 degrees Fahrenheit, but anything less than that can cause growth issues. Be mindful about keeping this plant near an AC unit during the summer or next to a cold window since that can cause the plant to struggle with new growth.

What Humidity Requirements Does a Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated Need?

Being a tropical plant, a Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated loves humid climates. If possible, you should place this plant in a bathroom with a shower. Running a hot shower for 10-15 minutes each day will be the type of environment this plant enjoys.

You can also mist this plant regularly. In addition to misting the plant, you can place it on a pebble tray since water evaporating on the rocks creates additional humidity. Also, you can group this plant around others since when water evaporates from other plant leaves, it increases the humidity level for the plants around it.

Finally, you can increase the humidity levels around the plant by using a humidifier. However, be careful not to leave the humidifier running for too long next to the plant because that can cause root rot. Root rot can occur if the soil mix cannot dry between waterings, and running a humidifier won’t allow the soil to completely dry.

How Often Should You Water a Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated?

It is best to water this plant when the top inch of soil becomes dry. You should water it weekly during the growing season (warmer months) to keep the soil moist. When the winter rolls around, you can scale back to watering twice a month. To help not overwater this plant, you should consider creating a watering schedule to know when it is the next time to water it.

What Size Does a Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated Grow to Typically?

A mature Philodendron Brule Marx tends to grow a few feet tall, but having it at half a foot is common as an indoor plant. Since this is a fast grower, you might want to prune or propagate this plant often to keep it a specific look.

Most Common Bugs

Mealybugs, thrips, spider mites, and gnats are common problems for this plant. If you notice these bugs are on the plant, you can remove them by spraying the plant with water and neem oil. If there are still bugs on the plant after spraying it down, you can use a cloth and gently wipe down the leaves that have the pets on them.

Most Common Diseases

Root rot is a chronic problem with this plant. Root rot occurs from a combination of poor draining soil, water not leaving the pot, low light conditions, and overwatering the plant. To fix this complication, you will need to remove the plant from the pot, remove waterlogged roots, and then put the plant back into fresh dry potting soil.

Can you Prune a Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated?

You can prune this plant when it begins to start looking leggy. One tip is to use clean pruning shears and cut the stems just under the plant node. Cutting away stems under the node allows future new growth.

Can you Propagate a Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated?

Below are the propagation steps for a Burle Marx Variegated using stem cuttings.

With clean pruning shears, cut a stem away from the mother plant that contains a leaf node
Use a rooting hormone on the bottom of the cutting to prepare it for propagation
Place the new cutting into the fresh potting mix

Can you Repot a Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated?

Repotting this plant is good when it becomes too big for the current container. A sign that the plant is outgrowing the current container is if roots start sticking out of the bottom of the container. If roots are sticking through the drainage holes, repotting is your solution.

To start, you need to remove the plant from the current container. Next, put fresh potting soil into a container two inches bigger in diameter than the previous home. From there, you can set the plant into the new container and soil.

Where Does the Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated Originate from Initially?

The Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated is originally from Brazil’s rainforests. Out in the rainforests, you will see this plant wrapped around trees since it is a climber.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Works Best?

The USDA Hardiness Zone that works best for this plant is between 9-11.

Is it Toxic?

This plant is toxic since it contains calcium oxalate. When a human or a pet ingests calcium oxalate, it can lead to vomiting and swelling in the mouth.

Conclusion: How to Take Care of a Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated

In summary, a Philodendron Burle Marx Variegated is a low-maintenance plant perfect for beginners looking to get into plant care. The plant does not need any special temperature requirements and tends to do fine with weekly watering during the growing season. Not only is the plant beautiful with different color leaves, but it is straightforward to propagate, which means you can add new plants from the mother plant throughout your home!