You spent countless hours tending to your philodendron. You watered it regularly, fertilized it once or twice, trimmed it, and placed it near a light source. But, after weeks of caring for your plant, you discover it leans to one side. You know you did everything correctly, but the plant still doesn’t thrive.
Do you want to know why this is happening? Read this article to this cover why and when philodendrons lean and how to correct this problem and prevent it from happening again.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Why is my Philodendron leaning?
One of the most common causes of philodendron leaning is the lighting angle. When plants are exposed to light from one angle, they tend to grow toward this angle to get more energy and produce food. Nutrient deficiency in the soil can also cause this issue. If the soil is too sandy or doesn’t have enough nutrients, the plant may not be able to support itself, and it may lean over as a result.
To understand this issue in detail, let’s discuss all the factors that cause it and discuss them individually.
The Plant Is Receiving Light from One Angle
When a philodendron is exposed to light from one side only, it will lean towards the light to maximize its exposure. The plant needs light for photosynthesis, which means more food and energy. The plant will continue to grow towards the light until it reaches an equilibrium, at which point it will grow straight up.
Generally, the problem of lighting angle is typical for indoor plants. One of the reasons that houseplants tend to lean more compared to outdoor plants is that they are usually grown near a window which makes them exposed to sunlight from one angle. This cause the plant to start leaning in the direction of the sun.
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The Plant Is Pot-Bounded
Another reason behind a leaning philodendron, mainly when grown indoors, is root boundness. In fact, houseplants are often pot-bound, meaning their roots are confined to a small space and cannot spread out to anchor the plant. When the roots are confined, the plant has a more challenging time getting the nutrients and water it needs, which can also cause the plant to lean.
Pot-bound can also cause the plant to become stunted because the roots cannot grow further and take in nutrients. The plant may also dehydrate because the roots cannot absorb water properly.
Inadequate Fertilization
Philodendrons are heavy feeder plants that need a lot of nutrients to support their growth. This causes the soil to lose nutrients fast. When this happens, the philodendron starts leaning.
Heavy feeders like philodendrons can have a significant impact on soil quality. They tend to strip nutrients from the soil quickly, so the soil can become depleted and less able to support the plant. This can lead to problems like nutrient deficiencies and poor plant growth.
Inadequate Watering
Providing a philodendron plant with more water than it needs can also cause it to lean. Overwatering can make this plant lean because the roots cannot get the oxygen they need from the soil. This causes the plant to lean towards the side that has more oxygen.
Underwatering can also cause philodendrons to lean. Generally, If a plant is not receiving enough water, it will start to lean toward the nearest water source. The plant is trying to get closer to the water to absorb it. Underwatering can also cause the leaves of a plant to droop and the stem to become weak.
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How to Fix a Leaning Philodendron Plant?
Rotate Your Philodendron Plant
When a plant starts to lean, it is generally because it is not receiving enough light on one side. Rotating the plant will help ensure that it gets an even amount of light, which will, in turn, allow it to grow straight.
To rotate a plant, turn the pot so that the plant is facing the opposite direction. Doing this every few days will help the plant to grow straight instead of leaning.
Re-Pot Your Plant when The Container Gets Smaller
By re-poting your philodendron, you will ensure that the roots are growing comfortably, which will help them grow straight.
Here is how to re-pot your philodendron in case it starts leaning because of pot boundness:
1. Choose a new pot that is slightly larger than the current one.
2. Gently remove the plant from its current pot.
3. Loosen the roots and untangle them if necessary.
4. Place the plant in the new pot and fill it with fresh potting mix.
5. Water the plant well and place it in a sunny location.
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Provide Your Philodendron with Support
One way to help your philodendron grow straight is to use support. Generally, not every support is suitable for all plants. The type of support you use will depend on the kind of plant you are growing. For example, tomato plants need a cage or trellis to support their growth, while cucumbers need a cucumber trellis. But, for philodendrons, bark boards and moss poles are the best solutions.
Once you have the appropriate support in place, you can then train the plant to grow up and around it by gently guiding the stems as they grow.
To use a bark board, tie the plant to the board with string or wire. Then, place the board on the ground next to the plant, making sure that the plant is in the center of the board. After that, water the plant regularly and keep the soil moist. Finally, when the plant starts to grow, it will grow straight up the board.
To use a moss pole, tie the plant to the pole using some soft twine or ribbon, being careful not to damage the plant. The moss pole will help support the plant and keep it growing straight.
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How to Prevent Philodendron Plants from Leaning?
Prune the Potted Plant if It’s Top-Heavy
Pruning helps prevent leaning on tall plants by keeping the center of gravity low and evenly distributed. This is especially important for more elevated, top-heavy plants with long, slender stems. Pruning also helps to reduce wind resistance, which can further prevent leaning.
Eliminate Pests and Diseases Attacking the Plant
Pests and diseases can cause plants to lean or tilt to one side. You can help keep your philodendron healthy and prevent it from learning by eliminating these pests and diseases. I highly recommend using organic pesticides to fight diseases and natural pest control methods to get rid of pests.
Ensure You’re Giving the Right Amount of Water to The Plant
To ensure you are not overwatering or underwatering your philodendron, you should verify the soil before watering the plant. Try to use a moister meter to check if the soil is dry or wet. You can water the plant if the moister meter indicates that the soil is dry.
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Protect the Plant from Environmental Stress
One of the most accurate ways to prevent plants from leaning is to protect them from environmental stress. This can be done by providing them with the proper temperature and humidity.
Philodendron plants need a temperature between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit to grow. You can use a heating mat to keep the temperature stable and within this range. This device can control the temperature warm and protect the plant from the cold.
On the other hand, to keep the humidity high enough for philodendron, you should use a humidifier.
Avoid Using Poor Quality Potting Soil
Philodendrons require well-draining soil to prevent the roots from getting too wet. Additionally, philodendron soil must be rich in organic matter to provide the necessary nutrients for the plant. Finally, good soil should be light and easy to mix and has a pH value between 5 and 7.
