Variegated Philodendron Micans Care
(I'm combining these into one post since, really, the care for variegated Philodendron Micans doesn't differ much from Albo / Pink to Aurea to "Velvet Halo" to etc.)
ABOUT
Philodendron Hederaceum "Micans" is a vining philodendron (though it can be trained to climb) featuring velvet heart-shaped leaves. It's a fast grower, incredibly easy to care for, very pretty and fun to pet. Definitely one of my all time favorite philodendron, and I'm speaking of just the plain ol' green variety. I will never be without one. I love it. I will be buried with it.
The variegated ones are ok too though 😅
FAMILY
Araceae
LIGHT REQUIREMENTS
Micans, generally speaking, are pretty tolerant of lower light - Which, to be clear, I do not mean NO light, but on the low end of philodendron normal (maybe 80-150 µmol/m²/s.)
Note: That for some variegated Micans, particularly the Albo (Pink Micans) and Aurea, brighter, more intense light, will bring out more pinky hues.
TEMP / HUMIDTY
They're pretty forgiving on temperature. 70-80º F (21 - 26.5° C) is probably ideal but they do alright (or at least can survive) anywhere from 45-95º F (7 -35º C.)
For humidity, again, pretty forgiving. I'd say ideally above 50% but my personal plant gets on perfectly well in my very dry upstate NY winters, though growth is a bit slower during that period.
WATERING
On this, they're actually less forgiving, at least when speaking on the variegated Micans, who can be a bit sensitive to overwatering. I usually recommend letting them to get fairly dry between. (My non-variegated Micans is a work-horse who bats an eye at nothing, including when I accidentally forget to water him for like a month, and then overcompensated by practically drowning him. Whoops!)
(He will outlive us all.)
If you are noticing edema on the variegated parts of the leaves, he's likely getting too much water.
GROW MEDIA
They'd do well in a nice chunky aroid mix, something with plenty of bark, coco husk and/or perlite or in semi-hydro. I grow all my props in chunky perlite, my shop plants are in a coir mix and my personal plants are in a chunky Pon.
GROWTH RATE
As with most tropical plants, they'll do better (grow faster) grown in warm / humid conditions (winter growth is definitely much slower) but they're relatively fast growers on average.
EASE OF PROPAGATION
I find them pretty easy to propagate where survival is concerned, especially if you've got an existing aerial root, however, the variegation can be tricky. These guys are a bit more prone to reversion / ghosting (going all white) than some others. I'd say maybe half (ish) of all props end up being listable.
For propagation media I like a mix of Fluval Stratum and perlite for these guys. (Something not too dense, not too airy.) I'm sure they'd also do well in moss, tree fern fiber or maybe even directly in soil, if the soil is kept damp enough.
TOXICITY
Mildly toxic - Like many Philodendron, Micans contain calcium oxalate crystals which may cause oral irritation, burning of the mouth, tongue, and lips if swallowed or chewed.
ADDITIONAL INFO
None at this time.
If you have any questions, or some advice of your own to offer, please feel free to comment below.
Thanks so much for stopping by!