Why Is My Congo Philodendron Plant Dying? Tips for Rescuing Your Dying Philodendron Tatei Plant

The philodendron congo is a large, lovely plant to place in a big, bright corner of your home or office. The colors are shockingly vibrant, and the plant itself is hardy.

It’s also an attention-getter. Thus, if yours is dying, or you think it’s dying, you’re likely desperately seeking answers and options to keep it alive. Well, you’ve come to the right place!

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A Congo Philodendron Plant Is a Great Choice for Your Home or Office

This gorgeous foliage has leaves that can grow up to two and a half feet long and one and a half feet wide. That’s just the leaves!

Native to South America, it is used to warm, humid environments, and it will grow straight up, reaching a height of 4 feet. It will also clean your air and bring in positive feng shui energy that is both lucky and romantic, thanks to the thick trunk and the heart-shaped leaves.

You can decorate pretty much any space with this plant – a corner in your home or office, a big, open wall; you can even place it on a small table to give it extra height and surround it with smaller tropical plants to create a whole jungle theme. Now, how to save it from dying?

Signs of a Dying Congo Philodendron Plant

The most obvious signs of a dying congo philodendron plant are as follows:

Brown leaves
Crispy leaves
Mushy leaves
Mushy stems
Rotting soil

Common Causes of a Dying Congo Philodendron Plant

The most common causes of a dying congo philodendron plant include:

Too much sun
Not enough sun
Too much water
Not enough water

Watering Needs of a Congo Philodendron Plant

A tropical plant that grows large and wide under the cover of larger and wider trees, the congo philodendron is used to getting fully soaked then mostly drying out before getting soaked again.

You’ll want to keep the soil moist but not allow it to get waterlogged. So, every time you water the plant, be sure you check the soil. If it is wet, then leave it. If you notice the top 1 inch of the soil has dried out, then you can water it.

To read more about watering your plant, take a look at this article on watering mistakes that might be killing your plant.

Am I Underwatering My Congo Philodendron Plant?

You’ll be able to tell the congo philodendron has been underwatered if the leaves start to droop and turn yellow.

Restoring Water to Your Underwatered Congo Philodendron Plant

If you have been neglecting your plant, just water it thoroughly until the water runs through the bottom of the pot.

Am I Overwatering My Congo Philodendron Plant?

You can tell your philodendron has been overwatered when the soil gets soggy. Also, the leaves and stems might get mushy and yellow.

Restoring Balance to Your Overwatered Congo Philodendron Plant

If your plant has become waterlogged, you likely have to replace the soil entirely.

To do this, remove the root ball from the soil and allow it to dry out on a screen in the sunshine for a couple of days. Repot the root ball in fresh indoor houseplant soil. Make sure you place pebbles in the bottom of the pot, so the soil doesn’t sit in water.

Soil Needs of a Congo Philodendron Plant

Your congo philodendron can thrive in classic indoor household soil. You can fertilize the plant once a month during warmer months with a common household plant fertilizer. Don’t worry about fertilizing during colder months.

Soil Drainage Needs for a Congo Philodendron Plant

You’ll need to make sure your plant is not sitting in soil that holds water. Make sure your soil is light and airy. If you find your soil is holding water, break it up with bark and peat moss.

Resolving Soil Drainage Issues for a Congo Philodendron Plant

Another approach you can take is to plant your philodendron in a clay pot, which will ensure water releases through the pores of the pot as well as through the holes in the bottom.

Lighting Needs of a Congo Philodendron Plant

The congo philodendron loves bright, filtered light. It will burn in direct sunlight, so ensure you have a thin curtain covering your window or that you have plenty of trees outside the window.

Resolving Lighting Issues for a Congo Philodendron Plant

If you notice that the leaves of your plant are crisping and burning, move the plant away from the window. On the other hand, if you notice the color of your leaves getting lackluster, move the plant closer to the window.

Pests or Diseases that Can Cause Issues with a Congo Philodendron Plant

You are unlikely to have to deal with pests or disease with a congo philodendron, but in the event you do see infestations of common bugs like mealybugs or whiteflies, it may be because the plant is stressed. In that case, wipe the leaves with neem oil and address all the other issues present here.

Fake Congo Philodendron Plants May Be an Additional Consideration

In the end, if you won’t have the time to care for the congo philodendron, or you just don’t have the energy, but you still want to reap many of the rewards, consider investing in a fake one. A high-quality artificial congo philodendron will still be beautiful in your space and bring all the positive energy, with none of the care and upkeep worries.

If you’re worried a fake congo philodendron plant is not trendy, check out my article on whether artificial plants and flowers are tacky.

What do you think? Do you have any tips or tricks for rescuing a congo philodendron plant? Let me know in the comments. I love to hear from my readers!