There are shockingly gorgeous plants that take your breath away and demand conversation. There are neutral, green plants that simply add to the atmosphere. And then there are plants like the painted lady philodendron.
This climbing foliage is interesting to the point of requiring a second look. You just have to be sure you’re seeing what you think you’re seeing. Trust me. You are. And that’s why you’ll be so glad you have one.
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A Painted Lady Is Good for Homes and Offices
A tall plant with heart-shaped leaves that come in variegated greens and yellows, the painted lady has bright red stems and petioles, set perfectly against the leaves’ greens and yellows.
These colors should not work together, or they should come across as “Christmassy,” yet neither is true. Instead, it looks like it should be in a scene from Alice in Wonderland or Harry Potter.
It looks enchanted, and it makes you feel enchanted when you have it around.
The painted lady will climb a moss pole up to 6 feet, or you can prune it down for a bushier look. Further, it will clean the air around it, absorbing common household toxins by day and releasing fresh oxygen at night, so consider keeping this beauty next to your bedside on a table that gets plenty of daylight.
Are Painted Lady Plants Good for the Feng Shui Flow of a Room?
As a bonus, you get positive feng shui energy from having the painted lady around.
The painted lady is a philodendron from the Araceae family. Philodendrons are known in feng shui tradition for relaxation and good fortune. Basically, it keeps you happy-go-lucky. You can’t beat that. So, if you’re feeling down or stressed, the painted lady is perfect for you.
For those interested in learning more about feng shui practices, I check out this master class article on how to use feng shui.
Are Painted Lady Plants Easy to Grow and Maintain?
The painted lady is relatively easy to grow and maintain. It is native to South America, and it is a hybrid created from two other philodendrons, making it is used to warm, humid environments.
If you’re trying to grow and maintain the painted lady in most regions of the United States, this environment will be difficult to mimic, so keep it inside your home or office in a warm place.
How Do Painted Lady Plants Grow?
Aside from humidity, the painted lady also needs regular watering and plenty of bright, indirect light.
What Kind of Soil Does a Painted Lady Plant Need?
Like all araceae plants, the painted lady wants a light, airy soil that will not hold onto moisture but will accept regular watering and fertilizer, allowing the water to run through and then dry out on a schedule.
How Much Light Does a Painted Lady Plant Need?
As a short plant from the tropical forest of South America, the painted lady is used to getting plenty of bright, indirect sunlight through dappled trees. Direct sunlight will burn the leaves, so keep this plant near a window, perhaps with a transparent curtain to provide it with hours of filtered daylight.
How Much Water Does a Painted Lady Plant Need?
The painted lady needs to be watered regularly until the water runs through the bottom of the pot then be allowed dry out fully before being watered again.
Get into the habit of testing the soil with your finger. Stick your finger into the soil. If you feel moisture, you can wait to water it. If the soil feels dry, you can water it.
For more information on watering plants, check out my other article for signs, tips, and tricks to avoiding watering mistakes.
Other Conditions that Are Important to a Painted Lady Plant
You are unlikely to deal with pests or mold with the painted lady unless you overwater your plant and the soil gets soggy. In that case, you may see any number of pests settling in for a meal.
Aphids, moths, mealybugs, mites, gnats, and more may be found on the plant. To rid yourself of these bugs, spray the plant and the soil liberally with neem oil several times a week.
Once you notice the bugs have gone, you can get back to regular watering. Just be sure you’re allowing the soil to dry out each time.
Painted Lady Plant Decorating Ideas
The painted lady is wild and vivacious looking on its own, so it’s a good idea to avoid potting it in a pot with crazy, geometric, eye-catching elements. This approach will detract from the colors and contrasts of the philodendron.
Instead, plant the painted lady in a neutral-colored pot that will highlight the colors of the plant. In terms of where to place it, a side table near a bright window or right on top of your desk will be perfect. Just remember to provide a moss pole for the painted lady if you plan to let her climb.
Do Fake Painted Lady Plants Look Real?
In some cases, a painted lady is just too much work. You might be allergic, or you might just not have time to frequently water it. In this case, you might want to consider going fake.
A high-quality artificial painted lady can look just like the real thing, and it will still offer many of the benefits you would get from a live version.
If you’re wondering if artificial plants are even in style, check out my piece on whether artificial plants and flowers are tacky.
Either way you go, real or fake, the painted lady is a wonderful addition to your home or office. You’ll be hard pressed not to buy a second one after the first.
How do you feel about your painted lady? Do you have any tips or tricks for how to keep it or where to put it in your home? Let me know in the comments. I love to hear from my readers.
