Okay, here’s my blog post about my experience with philodendrons in low light:
So, I’ve got this philodendron, a heartleaf one, I think. I’m not the best with plant names, to be honest. But I loved the way it looked, all those glossy green leaves, and I really wanted it to work in my living room. Problem is, my living room is, shall we say, “light-challenged.” It’s not a dungeon, but it’s definitely not sun-drenched.
I did a little digging online, you know, the usual frantic Googling. Some places said, “Philodendrons? Low light? No problem!” Others were all like, “Doom and gloom, your plant will wither and die!” I decided to just… try it. What’s the worst that could happen, right? (Famous last words, I know.)
My Low-Light Philodendron Experiment
I started by putting the philodendron on a side table, about six feet away from a north-facing window. That’s pretty much the dimmest spot in the room. I watered it when the top inch or so of soil felt dry. I’m terrible at sticking to a schedule, so I just poke my finger in there every few days. I also got a little spray bottle to make it humid. I live in a super dry apt.
First few weeks: Nothing. Literally nothing. The plant looked… fine. Not amazing, not terrible, just… existing. I was starting to get a little worried, thinking maybe it was slowly fading away.
Then, after about a month, I noticed something: new leaves! Tiny, pale green ones, unfurling slowly. They were definitely smaller than the older leaves, and a little less… vibrant. But hey, it was growing! That was a win in my book.
- Watering: Don’t overwater! Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings.
- Light: It can survive, it won’t be the lushest, most vibrant plant, but it’ll live.
- Observe: Just keep an eye on * leaves mean the current plan is working.
It’s been about six months now. My philodendron is still alive. It’s not exactly a jungle specimen, but it’s hanging in there. It’s definitely proven that they can tolerate low light, at least in my experience. It’s not thriving, but it’s surviving, and sometimes, that’s all you can ask for.
So, if you’re like me, with a less-than-ideal lighting situation, don’t be afraid to give a philodendron a try. Just be realistic with your expectations. You might be surprised!
