Light
In order to keep its golden-yellow foliage bright and vibrant, the golden goddess philodendron requires bright, indirect light. An east or west-facing window is perfect for these climbing plants. Avoid locations that receive direct afternoon sun as the leaves are susceptible to scorching.
Soil
As an epiphyte, the golden goddess philodendron requires a potting medium that is airy, rich, and moist but also well-draining. A combination of equal parts indoor potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark is ideal. You can also add some worm castings or bone meal to the soil mixture since both act as natural fertilizers.
Water
Keep the soil evenly moist but not soaked during the spring and summer months. The amount you will need to water to achieve this will vary depending on the temperature, humidity, and light available to the plant—but as a general rule, wait for the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry out completely and then water thoroughly. Excess water should drain from the pot’s drainage holes after each watering. The golden goddess philodendron can handle being slightly underwatered if you happen to forget a watering but struggles with overwatering and root rot, so ensure that you are never allowing the plant to sit in soaking wet soil.
Temperature and Humidity
The golden goddess philodendron prefers warm, humid conditions and does well in typical household environments. Keep temperatures between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 24 degrees Celsius) and provide your plant with extra humidity if your home is dry. The best way to increase humidity for your plants is to place a humidifier nearby or to choose a naturally humid room to display them—such as a bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen.
Fertilizer
During the active growing season (i.e. the spring and summer months) the golden goddess philodendron benefits from monthly fertilization. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer and apply it during watering.
Pruning
Since the golden goddess philodendron is a fast-growing climbing plant, it is likely that you will need to prune it at some point in order to control its height and clean up its appearance. Use a pair of clean, sharp pruning shears or scissors to make any cuts along the stem. It is best to prune in the spring or summer when the plant is in its active growing period. Any stem cuttings that you gather during pruning can be used to propagate the plant and create new plants to share with friends or family.
Propagating Golden Goddess Philodendron
This philodendron can be easily propagated using stem cuttings. Propagating is a great way to grow new plants, and taking stem cuttings encourages your original plant to grow fuller. To propagate your golden goddess by stem cuttings, follow these simple steps:
Common Pests
Spider mites, scale, fungus gnats, and mealybugs can all plague the golden goddess philodendron. The best way to prevent pests on this plant is to regularly check the stems and leaves for signs of an infestation. Small cobwebs, clear sticky residue on the leaves and stem, and small white spots in the crevices of the stems are all signs that one or more of these pests may be living on your plant. Treat any infested plants by spraying the foliage with rubbing alcohol or an insecticide depending on which pests you are dealing with.
Common Problems With Golden Goddess Philodendron
This philodendron is easy to grow indoors under the proper conditions and usually has few problems. Where growers can run into issues is if they are not providing the plant with enough light or water.
Brown Edges
Leaves with brown, crispy edges are an indication that your plant is not getting enough moisture. Usually, it requires more frequent watering and increased humidity to prevent further browning. Try moving your plant to a more humid location and providing it with a good watering.
Drooping Leaves
If you notice that the leaves of your golden goddess philodendron are drooping, it usually means that the plant needs to be watered. After a good watering, the leaves should perk back up within a few hours. However, if they don’t, this can be an indication that the roots of the plant may be dried up—meaning it can’t absorb the water to hydrate the plant. If this is the case, you will need to propagate the stems of the plant to encourage new roots to grow.
Leggy Growth
Since the golden goddess philodendron is a climbing plant, it can start to look leggy over time if it is not receiving enough light. When a plant is leggy, its leaves are spaced far apart along the stem and the plant can look like it is reaching towards the nearest light source. Unfortunately, once the plant has started to look leggy, there is no way to reverse that type of growth. However, you should move your plant to a brighter location to prevent future growth. If you are unhappy with the way your plant looks, you can prune back the leggy growth and use the cuttings to propagate new plants.
