I've only had my Silver Philodendron for about a month, and it's now dying on me. It looked healthy when I first got it, and maybe two weeks after its been in my care, it's leaves began to yellow. Only the bottom leaves are affected, the ones closest to the soil/pot, and after a while, they start to develop brown spots. Also, the new leaf growth is very pale. It's kept by a window covered by a shade, and I water lightly, although I did allow it to overflow a while ago. This is my first philodendron, and I'd like to know how I'm hurting my plant.
Thank you!

Hi EarthGrl,

I think what you have there is actually a Satin Pothos... Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus 'Argyraeus')

I don't have the Satin...(wish I did. It's a beauty!)

But If I'm not mistaken, they really prefer excellent drainage, and to dry slightly between thorough waterings. Does the pot have drain holes? Have you re potted?

The link that I added also states partial to dappled shade. It may help if you open the shade. What exposure is the window facing?

My guess would be too much water, and not enough light.
Others (I hope) will also chime in soon...

edited to say... I just realized that Silver Philodendron IS another common name for this plant...sorry....

I was thinking the exact same thing - too much water and/or not enough light. Like Tara said, I'd open the shade or put it somewhere where it will get some sun as well as let it dry slightly between waterings. They like to be slightly moist, but not wet - which can be tricky to maintain, so the next best thing (I've found) is letting them dry some before watering again.

terrafirma,
The pot does have drain holes and I did move it into a new one when I brought it home. It's set directly in front of an East facing window.
That sounds about right to me. I think I have been over watering. I'll let it dry out a bit before watering again. And to solve the light problem, would it help to pull up the shade for 2-3 hours in the morning?
Thank you!

Yes.

Good luck with it!

I will tell you what someone told me when I first started and was killing all my plants due to over water.

My adviser said..........
Close your eyes.................. "You are in the tub taking a bath. The water temp is just right the water level is just right. All of a sudden the water comes on and it is rising, and rising until it is over your head. Sure you needed and wanted the water.......... but you do not need or want the water over your head because you will drown........ So when we over water we are drowning the plant. Make the plant happy and do not drown the plant.

Tara
You say you re-potted the plant. Did you, by any chance, put extra soil on top of the
pot (with the plant in it) to compensate for a larger pot?
This is such a common error....plants need to be potted in such a way that the soil is
the same level it was in the original pot. Add the extra soil to the bottom pf the pot.
Many people just put the plant in the bigger pot and then fill it with soil.
This will lead to slow death--leaves browning/yellowing etc.
May take a couple months for this to show. Keep a keen eye on your new plants.

IF you did this--please remove the plant from the new pot--check all the roots for rot--
trim those away. Re-pot correctly (in a "MIX"--not "soil" ) so the soil level is the same it was when you bought it. Don't feel bad--many people do this and learn the hard way.
Just as a rule--most plants, when you buy them, are in the correct size pot and re-potting
is not needed for several months. Be patient.....
NO magic is going to happen just because you put it in a bigger pot.
Too much soil==too much moisture. I cannot tell from your photo if this is the case or not.

BTW--Philodendrons can live and thrive in very tight rooted conditions and not wilt
if not watered regularly.

Hope this helps. Others may jump in ad add their thoughts. Gita

@gitagal

I think you may have misread...This is not my plant...It is EarthGrl's plant, and post.

@EarthGrl



Tara

edit to add though, I agree with all you said, Gita!

There may be other problems here - repotting and watering, for example - but if the window is shaded, then that explains the leaf yellowing of older leaves and the pale new growth. Even sheers will block out most of the light that is usable by plants. So start by opening the shade throughout the daylight hours.

Not sure what you mean by "overflowing," but if the pot has drain holes, then I assume you mean the water flowed through those. That's okay as long as you allow the top inch of soil to dry before you water again.