Philodendron Strawberry Shake

The Philodendron Strawberry Shake thrives in bright, indirect light, ideally placed 50 to 80 cm from an east or west facing window.

In its natural habitat in tropical America, this philodendron climbs beneath the forest canopy and never receives direct sunlight. Indoors, it is essential to recreate these conditions: filtered but ample light allows its variegated foliage to develop all its shades of pink, yellow, green, and cream. The brighter and more indirect the light, the more intense and contrasting the colors will be.

In summer, keep it away from south-facing windows, where direct sunlight quickly scorches the delicate foliage. In winter, move it closer to the light source to compensate for the reduced sunlight and maintain the color quality of the new growth.

Important tip 🌿A Philodendron Strawberry Shake placed in a location that is too dark will produce uniformly green leaves, gradually losing its characteristic variegation. If your room lacks natural light, ourhorticultural lamp to stimulate growthoffers a full spectrum that faithfully mimics natural light, without harmful UV rays, to preserve the beauty of its foliage all year round.

Philodendron Strawberry Shake is toxic to cats, dogs and young children.

Like all members of the Philodendron genus, this plant contains calcium oxalate crystals in its leaves and stems. These microscopic crystals, released when chewed or ingested, cause immediate and intense irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth, throat, and digestive tract.

If ingested by a pet, the most common symptoms are excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing, vomiting, and visible inflammation of the mouth. In young children, contact with the sap can also cause skin or eye irritation. These reactions are usually temporary but should be taken seriously, especially if symptoms persist.

What precautions should be taken on a daily basis?

Place your Philodendron Strawberry Shake out of reach of pets and young children: on a high shelf, hanging, or in an inaccessible room. If accidentally ingested, consult a veterinarian or doctor immediately.

With a well-chosen location, cohabitation with your pets and children remains perfectly possible without risk on a daily basis.

The leaves of the Philodendron Strawberry Shake most often turn yellow due to overwatering, insufficient light, or a nutrient deficiency.

• If the leaves turn yellow and become limp, the problem usually stems from excess water causing the beginning of root rot.
• If the leaves gradually turn yellow while remaining firm and dry, the plant often lacks light or fertilizer.
• If the yellowing is accompanied by small light spots, a dull appearance or fine webbing, it may be a mite infestation, common indoors, especially in dry atmospheres.

The Philodendron Strawberry Shake produces variegated foliage that is particularly sensitive to nutrient deficiencies: a lack of magnesium or iron often first manifests as interveinal yellowing on young leaves, even before growth visibly slows down.

Important tip 🌿One or two old leaves turning yellow from time to time is perfectly normal: it is part of the plant's natural cycle.On the other hand, there is cause for concern if several leaves turn yellow rapidly, if the phenomenon spreads to young leaves, or if growth slows down significantly.

In case of a mite infestation, prioritize ourplant-friendly biological treatments, effective and suitable for indoor use.

The Philodendron Strawberry Shake is ideally repotted in spring, between March and May, when growth resumes actively.

Repotting is necessary when:

• The roots emerge through the drainage holes.
• Growth is slowing down.
• or that the substrate compacts too quickly after watering.

As a general rule, repotting every 2 years is sufficient for an adult plant.

The Philodendron Strawberry Shake develops a dense, branching root system that quickly occupies available space: its aerial roots actively seek support and its underground roots compact faster than in other slow-growing philodendrons, making regular monitoring particularly useful.

Choose a pot 2 to 3 cm wider than the old one, and make sure it has drainage holes. Ourtransparent pots to monitor the rootsare ideal: their transparency allows you to monitor root recovery and the condition of the roots after repotting, without disturbing the plant.

Prepare a well-draining and aerated substrate, specially designed for climbing aroids.We recommend ourComplete range of substrates for tropical plantsdesigned to promote drainage, root oxygenation, and healthy long-term growth. For the Philodendron Strawberry Shake, specifically choose ourEnriched substrate suitable for aerial rootsformulated for Araceae and rich in essential nutrients.

1. Carefully remove the plant from its pot, tapping the pot if necessary to loosen the root ball without pulling on the stems.
2. Gently loosen the roots if they are very compacted, without breaking them. There's no need to rinse systematically: the main goal is to give them more space.
3. Place a layer of substrate at the bottom of the pot, position the plant upright, then fill with substrate without burying the crown.

Important tip 🌿After repotting, water the plant to help the potting mix settle around the roots and eliminate any air pockets. However, ensure that excess water can drain freely through the drainage holes.Keep in mind that repotting is always a source of stress for the plant. Repotting every two years is sufficient to ensure healthy and balanced growth.

The Philodendron Strawberry Shake should be fertilized every 2 to 3 weeks from March to October, with a liquid fertilizer diluted in the watering water.

During autumn and winter, from November to February, significantly reduce or stop fertilizing. This is a period of dormancy during which the plant produces few or no new leaves.

Due to its variegated foliage with multiple pigmentations, the Philodendron Strawberry Shake is particularly demanding in terms of trace elements such as magnesium and iron, which are essential for maintaining the rich color of its new growth. Regular and well-balanced fertilization is therefore crucial to preserving the intensity of its pink, yellow, and cream hues.

A well-balanced intake promotes:

• denser, more colorful foliage
• steady growth,
• and improved plant resistance.

👉 For best results, we recommend ourconcentrated fertilizer for houseplantsEasy to dose thanks to its graduated pipette, with results visible quickly. Practical tips are printed directly on the back of the label and on the product information sheet, for simple and hassle-free use.

Important tip 🌿Never fertilize a Philodendron Strawberry Shake in a dry substrate: this could burn the roots.Water normally first, then apply diluted fertilizer 2 to 3 days later, when the soil is slightly moist. Excess fertilizer can cause leaf burn. Regular but moderate fertilization will keep your Philodendron Strawberry Shake vigorous and healthy 💚

Water the Philodendron Strawberry Shake when the potting mix has dried out completely, approximately every 7 to 10 days in summer and every 12 to 15 days in winter. Use room temperature water.

As a tropical epiphyte, Philodendron Strawberry Shake is naturally adapted to cycles alternating between humidity and slight dryness: its aerial roots capture atmospheric moisture and its underground roots do not tolerate a constantly soggy substrate well, making it a plant particularly sensitive to excess water.

How do I know when to water?

The finger test remains the most reliable method: insert your index finger into the substrate to a depth of 2 to 3 cm. If the substrate is dry, it's time to water. If it's still damp, wait a few more days.

Important advice:When in doubt, it's always better to wait a little longer than to overwater. Plants adapt better to underwatering than to overwatering, which quickly causes root rot.

Philodendron Strawberry Shake is propagated by stem cuttings with at least one node, ideally in spring or early summer when growth is most active.

Selection and preparation of the cuttingChoose a healthy, vigorous stem with at least one well-developed node and, ideally, one or two visible aerial roots: these roots greatly accelerate rooting. Make a clean cut just below the node using ourStainless steel blade pruning shears for taking cuttings without damaging the plantA clean cut reduces the risk of infection and promotes rapid recovery. Remove the lower leaves, leaving only 1 or 2 at the top.

1. Allow the cutting to air dry for 30 minutes before placing it in its rooting support.
2. Place the cutting in ourtransparent pots to monitor root developmentfilled either with clear water changed every 5 days, or with slightly damp live sphagnum moss for faster rooting.
3. Place the cutting in a warm and bright location, out of direct sunlight, at a stable temperature of at least 20 to 22 °C.

For rooting in sphagnum moss, use ourlive sphagnum moss to maintain root moistureIt maintains constant moisture around the node while allowing the roots to breathe, replicating the natural epiphytic conditions of the Philodendron Strawberry Shake. Once the roots are well-formed, transplant into ourwell-draining substrate for Monstera and Araceae, adapted to the root needs of climbing philodendrons.

Important tip 🌿The first roots of Philodendron Strawberry Shake typically appear in 3 to 5 weeks, depending on the ambient temperature and the vigor of the cutting. The most reliable sign of success is the emergence of a new leaf from the node, often tinged with pink or yellow upon emergence, a well-known characteristic of this variety. Maintain slight humidity around the cutting to encourage rooting.