The painted lady is one of those mysterious plants to have in your house. A member of the araceae family, its leaves tend to angle in and open up like praying hands. The red stems and variegated leaves make it an interesting point of conversation, and it’s easy to care for!
So, if yours is in distress, you probably are, too. Fortunately, we have steps to take to bring it back to life.
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A Painted Lady Plant Is a Great Choice for Your Home or Office
The painted lady philodendron is a wonderful plant to have around for a variety of reasons. It is, first of all, remarkable to look at. While at first glance it is just another philodendron, in reality, it is lush with climbing vines that will sprout leaves for up to six feet along its tendrils if you give it a moss pole to climb.
The heart-shaped leaves come in a variety of green and yellow colors. The stems and petioles are a deep red, which are offset by the bright shades of the leaves.
Furthermore, the plant will absorb common household toxins and release oxygen at night, creating fresh air in its immediate environment.
And as a final bonus, the painted lady is great for positive feng shui energy, offering relaxing and fortuitous vibes. So, if you’re looking for a luck tree, look no further.
Signs of a Dying Painted Lady Plant
The most obvious signs of a dying painted lady plant are as follows:
- Brown leaves
- Crispy leaves
- Mushy leaves
- Mushy stems
- Rotting soil
Common Causes of a Dying Painted Lady Plant
The most common causes of a dying painted lady plant include:
- Too much sun
- Not enough sun
- Too much water
- Not enough water
- Not enough humidity
Watering Needs of a Painted Lady Plant
The painted lady is one of those tropical plants that wants to be fully watered then fully dried out before watering again. The biggest danger to this plant in terms of water is overwatering and drowning it, which can bring on soggy soil, mold and mildew, and pests, not to mention root rot.
Striking the right balance here is essential. Always err on the side of underwatering rather than overwatering.
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 Painted Lady Plant?
In the unlikely event you have underwatered your plant, you’ll notice dry, crispy, curling, and even brown leaves and tightly packed soil.
Restoring Water to Your Underwatered Painted Lady Plant
If the plant is not dead, you can bring it back to life by watering it thoroughly until the water runs through the bottom of the pot. Then watch it closely to make sure the water is getting to the roots, stems, and leaves.
Am I Overwatering My Painted Lady Plant?
It is much more likely that you are overwatering your painted lady. You’ll notice mushy stems and drooping leaves as well as soggy soil.
Restoring Balance to Your Overwatered Painted Lady Plant
If you have overwatered your painted lady, you can first try to place it closer to the bright light of a window and open air to allow it to dry out more.
However, if you have developed root rot with super soggy soil, you’ll need to remove the root ball, cut away any mushy roots, stems, and leaves, and lay the plant out on a screen in the sun to dry. Once it has dried out, plant the root ball in fresh indoor houseplant soil that does not retain water and get onto a regular watering schedule.
Soil Needs of a Painted Lady Plant
The painted lady calls for a light, airy soil with bark or peat to break it up and ensure water is not retained.
Soil Drainage Needs for a Painted Lady Plant
Because the painted lady is a tropical plant, it calls for high humidity and warm weather, so you can place a drip tray with pebbles under the pot to encourage humidity in a warm room.
Resolving Soil Drainage Issues for a Hawaiian Spider Plant
If you notice the plant is sitting in water and the soil does not dry out quickly, you can add pebbles into the pot under the soil to ensure the water runs all the way through the soil and out of the bottom of the pot.
Lighting Needs of a Painted Lady Plant
Yes, the painted lady is a tropical plant used to plenty of light and water, but it is also used to plenty of protection from tall trees. You’ll want to mimic this reality in your home or office by providing several hours of bright, indirect light to the plant without letting the direct sunlight burn the leaves.
Resolving Lighting Issues for a Painted Lady Plant
Resolving lighting issues for a painted lady, like with most plants, comes down to moving the plant around enough that you figure out what works for your specific plant.
Move it closer to the window for more light if you notice the leaves are losing color and getting lackluster. Move it farther from direct light if you notice the leaves are burning or crisping. Give each move a few weeks to see how the plant responds.
Pests or Diseases that Can Cause Issues with a Painted Lady Plant
As a member of the philodendron family, the painted lady will attract a variety of pests, particularly if the soil is wet and soggy for long periods of time. Watch for mealybugs, whiteflies, aphids, and scale.
If you do notice pests in your plant, spray it liberally with neem oil several times a week and wipe away any visible bugs. Once you notice the bugs have gone, you can stop spraying the plant.
Fake Painted Lady Plants May Be an Additional Consideration
If, in the end, you find that a painted lady plant is just too much work, you can always opt for an artificial version. A high-quality fake painted lady will look just like the real thing, and it can still offer many of the same benefits as a live plant.
If you’re worried a fake painted lady plant is not trendy, check out my article on whether artificial plants and flowers are tacky.
Do you have a painted lady plant? Have you been able to nurse one back to life? Let me know what worked for you in the comments. I love to hear from my readers.
