As one of the smallest philodendrons, the philodendron camposportoanum is an adorable addition to any household. It has unique and beautiful leaves, known as “hammer leaves” for their special tri-lobe shape.
They also have a deep green color and a lovely, velvety texture. As it matures, the leaves even give off a subtle orange-pink sheen.
This plant is primarily found in tropical locations like Brazil, making it a rare find for enthusiasts across the globe.
However, with proper care and love it can thrive in any household. The name may be a bit of a mouthful, but you’ll be wanting to tell everyone you know about this beautiful plant!
Follow along to find out everything you need to know about caring for your philodendron camposportoanum.
Caring for Your Philodendron Camposportoanum
This plant may grow in a tropical area, but the right conditions can be created easily in any house.
If you want to watch this plant mature and produce the most astounding leaves, careful treatment and routine care are the most important things. Let’s get started with the different aspects to consider for this plant.
Light
This category may seem like the easiest – just plop a plant down in the sun and wait for it to grow, right? Wrong! When it comes to the philodendron camposportoanum, direct sunlight can harm the leaves and make them wither.
Bright and indirect sunlight is the best way to grow this plant and see it flourish.
A light meter is a great way to measure exactly how bright the sunlight is in a room. Our eyes are bad at guessing the sunlight needed for plants, and a light meter can correct that.
Light meters measure in FCs, also known as foot-candles. A good amount of bright but still indirect sunlight for philodendrons will measure at around 400 FCs.
If getting a light meter is not an option, don’t worry! Placing this plant in a northern or eastern facing window will allow it to get some cool direct morning sun, followed by mostly indirect sunlight the rest of the day.
Best Soil and Mixture Type
The best soil for this plant will be well-draining to get rid of excess water. Aerated and porous potting soils are great options that will drain moisture and allow the roots to breathe.
In addition, this plant will flourish best with a strictly neutral pH level. A pH of seven is just what it needs.
Here are some good elements to add to your potting soil or to look out for to ensure aeration:
- Perlite
- Orchid bark
- Vermiculate
- Peat or sphagnum moss
- Lime (just a bit to to counteract the acidity of the moss)
Water
Ah, water. For most plant owners, finding a consistent watering schedule and correct amount for their plant can be one of the most stressful parts of the entire process.
The philodendron camposportoanum in particular can be confusing as it needs more water than the average philodendron.
With most plants, you are supposed to check several inches deep into the soil for dryness. With this plant, you only need to feel the top layer!
If it is completely dry to the touch, it’s time to water your philodendron. Make sure you are watering the soil directly instead of the leaves from above to prevent fungal and bacterial infections forming.
In the summer, you’ll likely need to water your plant every 3-4 days to ensure proper growth.
In the colder months like fall and winter, you can water less frequently based on what the moisture level in the soil is telling you.
Temperature
This tropical plant cannot stand the cold! Look out for temperature drops at night and in the winter and make sure to bump up your thermostat accordingly. The absolute lowest this plant will tolerate is about 55°F (13°C).
Throughout the year, the ideal temperature range for this plant will be from 60°F or 16°C to about 75°F or 24°C.
A temperature right in the middle and adjusted accordingly as the seasons change will be all you need to keep your philodendron camposportoanum happy.
Humidity
As you can probably guess, this little plant adores the humidity. The average levels of humidity in your home will probably be too low on their own.
A range of about 60% humidity will have your philodendron camposportoanum flourishing like you wouldn’t believe! Anything lower, such as 50% or even 40%, will not produce the same results.
There are several ways to easily increase humidity in your home. If you have multiple houseplants, grouping them together will quickly increase humidity and allow them to help each other grow.
Purchasing a humidifier is also a simple way to increase humidity.
Friendly tip: Some blogs will suggest misting as a way to keep humidity up, but misting should be used with caution. Most homes have poor circulation and misting can increase the risk of fungal or bacterial infections.
Fertilizer
With a little help from a trusted fertilizer, your philodendron camposportoanum will sprout quickly and beautifully. I’ve found liquid fertilizers to the best as you can accurate measure how much ‘feed’ your plant is getting over a set amount of time.
Dyna Gro’s 7-9-5 NPK is what I love and use for most of my philodendron collection. You can also opt for a balanced liquid fertilizer or an organic one such as liquid kelp or fish emulsion (vey powerful stuff!).
In warmer months, your plant will be actively growing and so will need to be fertilized once every 4-6 weeks. Remember not to fertilize in winter unless you’re providing your plant with the best growing conditions (e.g. good light, high temperatures, high humidity etc)
Here are just some of the nutrients you’ll want to look for in your fertilizer:
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
Growth – What To Expect
The philodendron camposportoanum is a fast-growing plant that wastes no time! One growing season is typically all they need to reach maturity (aka max size it will reach in a home), and the following seasons are all about maintaining this growth.
In the home, they usually grow to be at least a foot in height. The maximum mature height for a room will not exceed three feet. In addition, the width of the plant including the leaves will not exceed one foot in length.
How to Propagate the Philodendron Camposportoanum
You’ll want to take this adorable plant with you everywhere! If you’re looking to propagate your philodendron camposportoanum, here are the steps you’ll need to take.
- Find a quality knife or shears and make sure they are clean and sterilized.
- Select your stem cutting, making sure it is below a leaf node and is at least three inches long. Make the cut with the sterilized tool.
- Allow the stem cutting to cure by resting in a warm atmosphere for up to a week. Curing the stem cutting will heal the area that was cut and allow the rooting process to be easier.
- Place your stem cutting in a pot with about two inches of potting soil. Make sure the pot has drainage holes and that the planted stem cutting can stand up on its own.
- Wait! Nurture the cutting like the original plant, and you will have a new one in no time!
Repotting – How Often & Signs It Needs Doing
When the roots of your philodendron camposportoanum are sticking out of the drainage holes of the pot, it is definitely a sign that repotting is needed.
Roots need room to move and grow so that the plant can thrive, so if you are seeing any roots poking out it is urgent that you don’t wait to repot the plant.
You will most likely be repotting once a year, always at the end of growing season since the plant will be mature and the warm weather can help with adapting to a new home.
Try and select a new pot that is only a few inches deeper or wider than the first, since a pot that is too big can harm the growing plant.
Pruning
You’ll be happy to hear that pruning is not a vital step in the process of philodendron camposportoanum care.
Since the plant is already quite small, pruning would only be necessary in the case of a disease or withering leaf that needed to be cut away. You can also prune at your own discretion if you notice any wayward vines.
The leaves of this plant may be tempted to grow up and out, so a growing stick can help them neatly make their way upwards and ensure they don’t encroach on any space.
Plant Toxicity
The philodendron camposportoanum should be kept out of the reach of pets and children. All philodendrons can be toxic if ingested, so it is important to keep this gorgeous plant where children can admire it but not grab it.
As long as the plant is not ingested, it is harmless. Symptoms of ingestion could include vomiting and a swelling sensation in the mouth. If you or anyone you know ingests this plant, seek medical advice.
Solutions to Common Philodendron Issues
Q. Why is my plant leggy and drooping?
If your plant is leggy and drooping or suffering from a lack of leaves, it is most likely not getting enough sunlight. Try rotating the plant each day to ensure each area is getting sunlight as well as testing for an area with brighter indirect sunlight.
Q. Why are the leaves turning brown and curling up?
Brown leaves and the curling of the tips of leaves are definite signs that the plant is being underwatered. Try feeling the top layer of soil for dryness each day and watering the area if the soil is dry.
Q. Why are the leaves turning a pale green?
Your leaves may be turning a pale green for a number of reasons. This includes overwatering, a nitrogen deficiency in the soil, or too much exposure to direct sunlight. Try testing out these problems one at a time to find the solution.
Pests to Be Aware Of
This plant is surprisingly resistant to pests, with three exceptions. These are spider mites, mealybugs, and white flies. These pests are drawn to the sap of the plant and are mainly seen as small white dots that move across the leaves.
You can banish these pests by gently washing the leaves of your plant in soapy water or wiping them down with rubbing alcohol. Insects will be warded off or die on the leaves and can then be easily removed.
FAQs – Your Care Questions Answered
Now we will cover some frequently asked questions about this little plant!
Q. Philodendron Camposportoanum vs Florida Ghost – What’s the Difference?
The philodendron camposportoanum and the florida ghost may seem similar, but that is only because they both develop the tri-lobed leaves commonly associated with the camposportoanum.
In reality, the florida ghost is much rarer and harder to find. The leaves are also a paler green.
Q. Philodendron Camposportoanum vs Micans – What’s the Difference?
These plants are also commonly confused with the philodendron micans, mainly due to the velvety leaves and smaller sizes.
However, the camposportoanum is known to have an orange-pink sheen and the micans has a subtle purple. The philodendron micans also grows in the Caribbean and Mexico, and the philodendron camposportoanum grows in Brazil.
Q. Is the Philodendron Camposportoanum a Climber or a Crawler?
This plant is definitely more of a crawler! This is mainly due to the smaller size of the plant. The leaves and vines are much more likely to extend outwards than they are upwards.
Q. Where Can I Find a Philodendron Camposportoanum to Purchase?
Nurseries or greenhouses that grow tropical plants (including other philodendrons) will be a good bet. If they do not already have a philodendron camposportoanum, they may be able to order one for you.
In addition, international nurseries in the native habitat of the plant can ship a cutting or sample to you.
Just make sure they offer a phytosanitary certificate – this not only states that it’s passed your country’s organic regulations, but it also shows that the cutting came from a reputable place of cultivation.
Q. How Much Does a Philodendron Camposportoanum Cost?
While this plant is very much desired, the smaller size means that it is going to be less expensive than other philodendrons. Yay!
While the price may vary for a fully mature philodendron camposportoanum, most purchases will be less than $100.00. In the end, the joy you will get from this gorgeous plant is priceless!
