Advice needed with my spindly Philodendron

First of all, it's nice to be back. Haven't been on this site since last year. So, Hi.

Here's my query. I bought my Philodendron erubescens 'Red Emerald' last summer when it was about 5' tall. Since then it has doubled in height, reaching the ceiling. Reluctantly, I cut off the growing tips to stop it getting any taller. However, as you can probably see from the photo, the top half of the plant is more sparse, with much smaller leaves than the bottom part. In fact, some of the leaves from last year still haven't unfurled fully! I'm guessing I kept it too warm through the dark, Scottish winter, resulting in its leggy appearance. My question is, since it isn't going to grow any taller, where will it put its energies come the growing season? Will it produce new shoots or will it continue to develop the leaves it already has? I'm really hoping that the top half will fill out a bit more but will it? Any advice, suggestions or comments would be very welcome.

first let me say hello, so Hello!
second it got leggy straining for light, move it closer to a light source and it should fill in.
and third when's the last time you repotted it? But it's still a very nice plant

Thanks for the quick reply.

It was actually in the corner of a south-facing room over the winter, so without putting it in full sunlight, I don't know if I could have found a brighter spot for it! I've actually just moved it to a more shady position as I thought Philodendrons were more suited to low light levels. So, I should move it back to a brighter spot? Should it be kept cool over the winter months? As for repotting, I haven't yet. I will definitely do it come spring. Glad you think it will fill in, I was worried I was going to be stuck with the spindly top half, or worse, be told to cut it right back to the fuller leaves!

Cheers,
Paul

i don't know, I think each philo has it's own personality anymore, I have a mother that loves the bright lights in my dinning room, but the cutting I took gets either leggy or wilty in the same room, I think they are a little like humans, and it just takes playing and moving them around to find thier "happy" spot, But I'm sure it will fill in, now If I could just get the kitten to quit climbing mine and the puppy from eating the lower leaves, Life with pets and plants!

Hi Paul & Trina,

Philodendrons do best in bright filtered light (no direct hot sun) with warm and humid conditions.
The soil should be moist but not soaking wet. If you can mist the plant several times a week, that will help too.

Thanks, Metro and Trina. Sounds as if it was already in the correct position before I recently moved it - bright but no direct sunlight. It sits on a dish of damp pebbles, is misted several times a day and the soil is kept just moist. Methinks it is probably pot-bound, so I will pot it on in spring and, fingers crossed, the leaves will fill out. Thanks again.

at least you didn't walk around calling a pothos a philo for over a year! LOL have fun and if you decide to take cuttings, I'll trade ya!

Well Trina, at least you had the right family of plants, they are both in the Araceae family!

True, very true....want a teenager? I'll send you one free of charge!

Nope, I'm too old to deal with a teenager .... sorry, LOL. ^_^

darn my luck....LOL

I've never had a teenager, Trina. Can I tie them out in a field and get them to clear weeds?

these actually did this time....I can now look out and see all my roses go figure now that they are going dormant!

LOL Dave ... you could try! Actually, I've never had a teenager either but have been around many nieces and nephews over the years, as well as teenagers belonging to our friends. If your project of clearing weeds is successful, I want to know where to sign up!

hmm ... I bet you'd find a lot of folks who would come to Hawaii to clear weeds. Now, whether you could get them to work more than an hour at a time is another thing. ^_^


Oh, wait I forgot, you're going to tie them out in a field!

i'd do but I'd get in trouble for putting them in my pockets...LOL