Are you trying to identify the cause of a dripping philodendron plant? We are here to help with this. Just read this article and you will get answers to all your questions regarding this issue.
Philodendrons are a great addition to any home. They are easy to care for and require little maintenance. They are also known to purify the air, making them an excellent choice as indoor plants. But, sometimes the beautiful leaves of this plant can be a source of problems for gardeners.
One of the most common issues of the philodendron plant is dripping leave. In this article, we will see why philodendron leaves drip water and how you can fix this issue and prevent it from happening.
Table of Contents
The Real Reason Why Philodendron Leaves Drip Water?
Philodendron leaves drip water when the plant wants to get rid of excess moister and nutrients. This process is called guttation. Another process through which philodendron leaves drip water is transpiration. In this case, the leaves release water to clear the air around them.
Guttation happens when roots absorb water from the soil and the leaves release water through their pores. The water that is released is called xylem sap.
If you want to learn more about guttation, check out the video below.
Transpiration is the process by which water vapor escapes from the leaves of plants through tiny pores on the leaf surface. This process helps to regulate the plant’s water balance and also provides a driving force for the movement of water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the leaves. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind a thin layer of water on the surface of the leaf. This water droplet then drips down the leaf, which is why philodendron leaves drip water.
Low temperatures can also cause the leaves of philodendrons to start dripping. In fact, when the temperature outside drops, the water inside the leaves begins to condense. This process is similar to what happens when water vapor in the air turns into liquid water droplets on a cold window. As the water droplets grow larger, they eventually become too heavy to stay suspended on the leaf and they fall off, drip by drip.
The water that you see on the leaves of your philodendron does not usually get from inside the plant. Most of the time water gets condensed on the surface of plants overnight forming what is called Dew.
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When Do Philodendron Drip Water?
Philodendron plant drips water at night time or during the days of high moisture and humidity. During the night, the stomata of the plant close to prevent water loss. When this happens, the leaves are not able to exchange gases with the atmosphere and they start to drip water.
The water droplets help to keep the leaves from drying out and they also help to reflect light back into the leaf, which helps the plant to photosynthesize.
When moisture and humidity are high, philodendron plants find it difficult to transpire. As a result, they start the process of guttation to make transpiration easier.
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Is It Harmful for Philodendron to Drip Water?
Generally, it’s normal for philodendron to drip water at night or early in the morning as this helps the plant transpire comfortably and stay healthy. Also, dripping water during the day when the humidity is high is totally ok for this plant. However, when philodendron drips water while humidity is on point this may indicate that the plant is having some issues such as overwatering or over-fertilization.
Overwatering
An overwatered philodendron will drip water because the roots are oversaturated and can’t absorb any more water. The water will then start to seep out of the pot and onto the surface below.
Overwatering can be caused by watering very often, using poor draining soil, or using a pot that does not offer drainage.
Over Fertilization
When a philodendron is over-fertilized, the leaves can actually drip water. This happens because the fertilizer has caused the plant to produce more minerals and nutrients than it can actually use. The extra nutrients then leak off of the leaves in the form of water drips, wasting the fertilizer and causing harm to the plant.
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How Can I Prevent philodendron from dripping water?
To prevent your philodendron from dripping water you should avoid watering this plant at night or early in the morning. Also, by avoiding overfertilization and feeding the plant only when it’s necessary, you can prevent your Philodendron from dripping water. Finally, using rainwater and distilled water can also prevent this plant from dripping water because these kinds of water are pure and free from heavy minerals.
Water your plant in the morning
Watering your philodendron in the morning helps it dry quickly as it stays exposed to sunlight for long hours. as a result, the plant will not find excess water to emit at the night during transpiration.
Watering your plant in the morning can also be beneficial for your philodendron. Morning watering will help the plant to start the day off hydrated, and the cooler temperature of the water can help to reduce evaporation. Additionally, watering in the morning gives the plant time to absorb the water before the heat of the day sets in, which can help to prevent wilting.
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Stop Using Tap Water
In addition to causing plants to drip water, tap water can damage their leaves and roots. Additionally, tap water contains other impurities, such as heavy metals, which can also be harmful to plants.
Watering plants with rainwater or distilled water has several benefits. First, rainwater and distilled water are free of chlorine and other chemicals that can be harmful to plants. Second, rainwater and distilled water have a neutral pH, which is ideal for most plants. Third, rainwater and distilled water contain no minerals, so they will not build up in the soil and potentially harm plants. Finally, rainwater and distilled water can help to leach out excess salts from the soil, which can help to prevent or reduce root disease.
If you can’t use rainwater or distilled water, you can purchase quality spring water from the grocery store, home improvement store, or garden supply store.
If tap water is the only choice that you have then don’t worry because there are few things that can be done to make it less harmful to a plant. One is to let the water sit for a day or two before using it on the plant, which will allow some of the chlorine to dissipate. Another is to use a water filter, which will also remove some of the chlorine.
Avoid Overfertilization
Besides dripping leaves, over-fertilization can lead to stunted growth, yellowing leaves, and even death of your philodendron. To avoid this, it is important to follow the directions on the fertilizer package and only apply the recommended amount. It is also a good idea to have your soil tested periodically to check for nutrient levels and adjust fertilizer accordingly.
A general rule of thumb is to fertilize when the plant is actively growing. This will vary depending on the type of plant, but generally, spring and summer are the best times to fertilize.
Additionally, staying away from chemical fertilizers can also help keep the leaves of your philodendron healthy. There are many alternatives to chemical fertilizers that can be used to provide nutrients for this plant. These include organic matter such as compost or manure, as well as other natural sources such as rock dust or seaweed extract.
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