Squamiferum, or Red Bristle Philodendron, is an evergreen tropical plant native to Central and South America. This variety offers oak-shaped leaves with hairy, red stems on a vining habit of up to 15' long. This rare climbing houseplant flourishes in bright, indirect light, bringing a tropical aesthetic to any room. For an upright Philodendron, try growing Rojo Congo.
Squamiferum Selling Tips
Sell Squamiferum to customers looking for a low-maintenance houseplant. This vine offers attractive foliage and adapts to low, medium, or bright indirect light. While it prefers moderate humidity, Squamiferum also tolerates dry soil and brings a calm aesthetic to the home. Create a stunning display of color and texture by growing this plant alongside Pothos, Spider Plant, Peace Lily, Snake Plant, Monstera, Fern, and ZZ Plant.
Coach Your Customer
1. Grow this plant in well-draining soil in medium to bright light. Variegation fades in low light, but the plant will continue growing.
2. Provide temperatures between 65-80 degrees and moderate humidity. Water when the soil is almost dry.
General Growing Tips For Your Rooted Cutting Liner
For best results with Squamiferum, grow one rooted plug per 4- or 6-inch container. Use soil with moisture retention, good drainage and aeration, and a pH of 6.0-6.5. Feed moderately with a 3-1-2 or 3-1-3 NPK fertilizer. Provide temperatures between 70-90 degrees and humidity between 60-100%. Grow this plant under low light in a shade house at 1,500-2,500 fc. Watch for aphids, mealybugs, scales, and spider mites.
Flowering
This plant is grown for its attractive foliage.
Pinching
Pinch once during the active growing season to encourage vigorous growth, or more often to control size.
Spacing
Space containers for adequate airflow and sunlight penetration around the base and foliage of each plant.
Height Control
This plant doesn't require PGRs.
Pests
This plant isn't prone to pests but scout for aphids, mealybugs, scales, and spider mites, especially in the commercial greenhouse.
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cause damage by sucking sap from plant tissue. They reproduce quickly and are particularly attracted to young growth. Curling and yellowed leaves, stunted growth, and stickiness on leaves are signs of an infestation. These insects also spread diseases and reproduce rapidly. Use biological controls or horticultural oils to discourage and kill aphids.
Mealybugs are small, white, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap. They are covered in powdery wax, which gives them a cottony appearance. They reproduce and spread rapidly. Inspect plants regularly for signs of an infestation, including white, cottony masses on foliage. Always check new plants before bringing them into the greenhouse. Remove any highly infested plants from the greenhouse for quarantine or disposal. Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps as biological controls for mealybug populations and apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oils to disrupt lifecycles and feeding. Maintaining a sanitary greenhouse and eliminating debris can deter pest infestations.
Scale are insect pests that feed on plant sap and look like small bumps on leaves or stems. Control damage from this pest by scouting, introducing natural predators, applying horticultural oils or insecticidal soap, and pruning and discarding infested plant parts or whole plants. Be sure to disinfect tools and always use a sanitary growing media and containers. Note that healthy plants are more resistant to pests and disease.
Spider Mites are tiny pests that cause stippling, yellowing, and webbing on foliage by feeding on plant sap. They flourish in warm, dry environments. Use correct water and fertilizing practices; over-fertilizing can attract spider mites. Proper humidity levels, predatory mites or ladybugs, and insecticidal soaps or oils may prevent or address a spider mite infestation.
Disease
This plant isn't prone to disease. Take preventative measures against root rot and fungal infections in your commercial greenhouse. Water at the base of each plant in the morning, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Provide good airflow and space containers for adequate circulation and sunlight penetration around the base and foliage of each plant.
Planting Squamiferum Liners
We recommend planting one rooted plug per 4- or 6-inch container. Use well-drained and well-aerated soil and center the ellepot in the container.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Philodendron Squamiferum Quick Reference Guide
| 4 Inch crop time | 12-20 Weeks |
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| Habit | Vining |
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| Height | 1-12 Feet |
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| Light | Bright Indirect/Filtered |
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| Minimum Temp | 65 |
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| Perennial Zone | 10-11 |
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| Water Needs | Light |
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| Patented Plant | No |
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