Philodendron Burle Marx Propagation- Over the shoulder guide

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Philodendron Burle Marx is a gem of a houseplant that gives off an exotic, tropical vibe with minimal effort, making it a perfect plant choice for just about any home.

If Burle Marx Philodendron grows in size, a good way to control it and multiply your collection at the same time is to propagate or create new baby philodendrons from the mother plant. In addition to seeds, the Burle Marx plant can be propagated using two methods: stem cuttings and air layering.

In this article we have discussed both vegetative propagation methods in detail, to make your life easier. Have a look at the article and multiply your philodendron at home without any trouble.

Philodendron Burle Marx Overview


Common name
Commonly known as Burle Marx Philodendron or Philodendron Species
NativeNative to Brazil
NamingPhilodendron Burle Marx plant is named after Roberto Burle Marx. Burle Marx was the first architect to use native plants in modern landscape designs. 
FamilyAraceae
Scientific NamePhilodendron ‘Burle Marx’
Zone10B – 11  
Growth  Fast 
Foliage typea low-growing shrub with heart-shaped and narrow leaves. It has glossy, dark green leaves filled with texture, donning the jungle-like and exotic foliage.
Width:2 – 3 inches approx  
Height2 inches approx  
Designer Consideratiosuse as a groundcover, border, ground cover, mass plantings, as a houseplant, or as a container plant on your patio or deck.
Factcan cause skin irritation or allergic reaction and is poisonous if ingested. 
healthy philodendron
Healthy Philodendron

How Do I Know if My Burle Marx is Ready to Propagate?

1. Rootbound Condition: Plants become root-bound (also called ‘pot bound’) when they outgrow their container and aren’t repotted in a larger one. So, Gently trim the roots that have grown through the drainage hole. Carefully move your plant to a new pot so that it can thrive.

2. Maturity stage: At maturity, the plant produces flamboyant three-lobed foliage that can reach almost eight inches in length. Once it gets matured, you may select a healthy, disease free and robust mother plant for propagation.

3. Root rot condition: If Philodendron is suffering from root rot, you have to remove the infected plant from the pot immediately, wash the roots and remove all infected parts, then treat with a fungicide, and repot your philodendron using a new potting mix, but if the case is severe, propagate your Philodendron to save its life.

Tools you need and their usages 

ToolsUsage
A sharp-cutting toolA pair of sterilized pruning shears for cutting the stem right below a leaf node. Use isopropyl alcohol to sterilize the shears.
Watering CanA watering can or watering pot is a portable container used to water plants by hand.
Small potscan be used for rooting plant cuttings and protecting plant cuttings and giving them enough moisture so they can survive until they grow roots.
Hand pruners or pruning shearsare generally used for cutting branches up to 3/4 inches in diameter.
Dibble A small hand tool used to make holes in the soil or rooting media which helps in planting the cuttings or new plants.
Plastic wrap 
During cutting plastic wrap is used to wrap around the wound and the stem of the plant

Philodendron Burle Marx propagation

If Burle Marx Philodendron grows in size, a good way to control it and multiply your collection at the same time is to propagate or create new baby philodendrons from the mother plant. You can either start planting the Philodendron Burle Marx by seeds or through propagation.

The ideal time for propagation is during spring. In two or three weeks, roots will appear, followed by new leaves. In water, the roots will be easy to see.

When it comes to propagating a Philodendron Burle Marx, there are two main methods used. The first method is using stem cuttings and soil. The second method involves air layering.

We have both methods down below in detail, to make your life easier.

Propagation through Stem Cuttings

Step 1: Preparation of cuttage

The first step is to cut that stem cutting from your Philodendron Burle Marx. But before you make that cut, you need to know what makes the perfect stem cutting. The cutting should be between two and four inches in length. You need a pair of sterilized pruning shears for this task. You can use isopropyl alcohol to sterilize the shears. Now you’re ready to get your stem cut.

stem cutting
Stem cutting

Step 2: Curing the cuttage

Now new stem cutting needs to cure. To cure it, the cutting has to sit out in a warm room for seven to 10 days. During this time, one end of the cutting is going to callous over. A calloused end improves the chances of cutting rooting when it’s planted.

Step 3: Preparation of rooting media

During the seven to 10 days of the curing, you should get your pot or container prepared.  This means you should get the plant pot and soil ready for your stem cutting. It’s easier to use sphagnum peat-moss as the soil, even for a cutting. The plant pot should have drainage holes.

rooting media for philodendron
Rooting media for philodendron

Step 3: Placement of cuttage

After a week or when curing is up, it’s time to plant your Philodendron stem cutting in soil or pot. Use your finger to make a hole in the media that’s a few inches deep. Then place the cutting in the hole and pack the soil around it.

Step 4: Holding the cuttage in place

If your stem cutting won’t stay standing upright, try tying it to a straw or rope. This will hold the cutting up.

Step 5: Placement of the pot

Place the pot or container with your stem cutting in a north-facing or east-facing window. Water and fertilize it like you do the mother plant. After a month or so, the stem cutting will start to take root.

Propagation through Air Layering

Step 1: Preparation of layerage

The first step to air layering a Philodendron Burle Marx is to wound the plant. For this task, you need a sterilized and sharp knife. You can sterilize the knife with isopropyl alcohol. Once your sterilized knife is ready, make a wound into the plant’s stem. The wound should be about two inches in length and two inches deep.

Step 2: Cover the wound with rooting media

Take a handful of sphagnum peat-moss and moisten it. Now rub the peat-moss all around the wound and the stem. Since you moistened it, the peat moss should stick much easier. Take a string and tie it around the stem and the sphagnum peat moss will help hold it on the wound. Now, if the peat moss stays stuck to the wound, you can skip this step.

Step 3: Wrapping the wound

Use plastic wrap to wrap around the wound and the stem of your plant. Make sure you wrap the plastic wrap tightly. If it doesn’t stay on its own, you can use duct tape.

Step 4: Preparation of soil

While you’re waiting for the roots to grow, get a plant pot and soil ready for your new plant. Use well-draining media and make sure the plant pot has drainage holes at the bottom.

Step 5: Rooting

In about three weeks you’ll notice roots growing from the sphagnum peat moss and wound. When the roots are about three inches in length, you can remove your new plant from the mother plant. Cut right above and right below the peat moss.

Step 6: Removal of plastic wrap

Now you can remove the plastic wrap. Be very careful not to injure the new roots.

rooting
Rooting

Step 7: Planting the baby layerage

It is time to plant your new Philodendron Burle Marx. The roots should be under the soil or media so that they can expand.

baby philodendron
Baby philodendron

Pro-tip: Some gardeners advise placing the cutting immediately in moist soil. It is harder for roots to emerge this way, so it is better to place the cutting in a glass first. Put the cutting in a jar filled with water and wait for the roots to emerge. Once they appear, plant your philodendron.

Precautions during propagation

  • Identify the location where you will make your cutting from the mother plant.
  • Carefully cut just below the node with a clean sharp knife or scissors and the knife should be sterilized.
  • Place the cutting in a clean glass,
  • Change the water every 3-5 days with fresh room temperature water.
  • Finally repot and provide the baby plant with optimum growth conditions.

Tips to Take Care of Newly Potted Plant

Though it doesn’t require too much maintenance, it still has individual needs and a preferred growing environment. Its needs are similar to philodendrons, so follow these tips below:

Location with Indirect Sunlight: To give your plant indirect light, set it in an area where there is an east or north-facing window.

Watering Requirement: It has an average water requirement.  You just have to keep the soil moist.  Don’t drench the soil in water and don’t want it to dry out.

Ideal Temperature: The Philodendron Burle Marx prefers room temperatures between 60 to 75 degrees F. They can also tolerate lower temperature conditions.

Optimum Humidity: Philodendron Burle Marx needs a humidity of 60% and more to thrive. Humidity is important for your Philodendron to thrive. It needs that moisture in the air.

Regular Fertilization: All Philodendrons are heavy feeders, for them, a liquid or slow-release fertilizer works well. So, Fertilize your Philodendron Burle Marx once a week during the growing season in spring and summer using a liquid fertilizer.

Pruning: If you wish to grow your Burle Marx in a compact bushy form you can prune back leaves that become tall and leggy with sterilized pruning shears.

Control Pests and Diseases: Maintenance is the only way to prevent pest infestations in a Philodendron Burle Marx. Make sure you dust the leaves of your plant.

Final thoughts

If Burle Marx Philodendron grows in size, a good way to control it and multiply your collection at the same time is to propagate or create new baby philodendrons from the mother plant. In addition to seeds, the Burle Marx plant can be propagated using two methods: stem cuttings and air layering. Taking stem cuttings is widely recommended as the most fuss-free propagation method. Like most philodendrons, the Burle Marx is easy to propagate with a stem cutting in leca or sphagnum moss.

Apart from propagation methods, we have discussed its maintenance in this article which may help you to grow a beautiful Burle Marx at your home without any trouble.

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