The Philodendron Burle Marx is a lush tropical plant with long glossy leaves. This plant grows in a trailing or vining pattern.

This plant grows native in Brazil and was named after the famous landscape Architect Roberto Burle Marx who was passionate about using native plants in his landscaping design.

The Philodendron Burle Marx will grow in a small clump as a houseplant, like reaching 2-3 feet tall. In the wild it can grown into large shrubs that eventually trail and vine.

This plant can grow in a variegated pattern, it also comes in a variety called the Burle Marx Fantasy which features green and gray foliage and deep green veining throughout the leaf.

variegated philodendron burle marx — *Burle Marx Variegata*

Different lighting is required for this plant depending on the variegation in the leaves. If you have the plain green leafed variety, the plant will be fine in moderate to bright indirect light. The variegated variety will need to be in brighter areas in order to sustain the variegation on the leaves.

This plant will appreciate a light and well draining soil. One of the most common mistakes with any houseplants is overwatering. This can happen easily if the substrate is heavy and holds water. The roots can suffocate and rot due to excess water sitting around the roots.

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This plant originates in the tropical jungles of Brazil. This plant prefers warm and humid environments that mimic that warm tropical environment that it originates from. Keep the humidity a little higher for this plant. If you notice brown edges starting to form on the tips of the leaves, try increasing the humidity for the plant.

Purchase the Variegated Burle Marx on Etsy

Photo Credit Pretty Rare Plants:

We have created a simple, printable and easy to follow care guide for this plant that will help you keep it happy and healthy!

Yield: Printable Care Guide

Philodendron Burle Marx Care Guide

The Philodendron Burle Marx is a stylish plant with large heart shaped glossy leaves.

This lovely plant grows to about three feet tall as a houseplant in a bushy upright shape.

This Care Guide will teach you how to keep this tropical Aroid happy all through the year.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Difficulty easy

Materials

Tools

Instructions

Soil Preference:

This aroid requires a light soil.
A mix of potting soil, perlite and orchid bark will keep the roots happiest.
Here is our mix.
Two parts potting soil to two parts perlite to one part orchid bark.
A heavy soil potting mix is not recommended for aroids.

Pot Size and Type:

The Philodendron Burle Marx can be grown in relatively small pots since they are fairly slow growers.
If you want to encourage faster growth choose a pot about 2 inches wider in diameter than the current pot.
Any well drained pot can be used. It MUST have drainage.
Repot every second year or when roots come out the drainage holes on the pot bottom To the next pot size up.
Don't jump to a huge pot from a small one unless you wish to encourage faster growth. Just go to the next size up pot.

Lighting:

The burle marx enjoys bright indirect or dappled light.
It will tolerate lower indirect light it if has some brighter moments in the day.
Some filtered sunlight from a window will be appreciated.
Shield this aroid from strong direct light in summer south and west sunny windows. The leaves will burn.
Tip: Window sheers or blinds can offset some brief periods of high direct light.

Watering:

Water your plant when the soil is dry. Aroids do not like to be overly wet. Try a watering schedule of every other week.
Watering is best done on a regular schedule so the plant is not over or under watered. Both can cause stress on the plant.
This tropical plant enjoys humidity. In dry climates this Philodendron will thrive with a humidifier nearby. OR use a pebble tray under the pot filled half way with water.
In dormant winter months reduce watering to when the soil is dry.
Never let this plant get wet feet. Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. If the soil is compacted the bottom of the soil can remain wet which encourages root rot. Heavy wet soils attract Fungus Gnats.

How to Fertilize:

Apply a good quality fertilizer (linked in materials) monthly through Spring and summer.
Decrease feedings by late Fall and allow the philodendron birkin to rest through the winter months.

Temperature:

Keep the plant at a low of 65 Degrees F. to upward of 85 Degrees F. It enjoys warmth and humidity.

Table Top Plants:

It’s easy to prune and shape these plants to whatever length and fullness you desire.
Since the plant is slow growing it can look right at home on a table for quite a while.
When it grows up too high to look balanced on a table either cut it back or set it on the floor to decorate a corner.

Pests:

The burle marx is not fussy and resists pests. However all plants can get attacked by pests.
Stress by longterm overwatering, poor light, extreme temperatures and soil conditions are contributors to plant stress..
Spider mites, mealy bugs, scale, thrips and whitefly are the most common houseplant pests you will see.
Read our post on How to get rid of aphids and other pests with our homemade pesticide soap recipe or neems oil.
To minimize the possibility of pests be sure to check all nursery plants before bringing them home.
Quarantine all new plants until you are sure no pests live in them.

How to Propagate:

Propagation is easily done through leaf node stem cuttings.
You need a 3 to 6 inch leaf stem with a couple of nodes and healthy growth.
This more easily seen on vines but the burle marx has nodes at the leaf base too.
Cut a long stem from the mother plant as close to the base of the plant as possible.
Place the node into a jar with water. Use tap water that has settled 24 hours in the jar to dissipate chemicals harmful to the philodendron burle marx.
Set the jar in a well lit area.
After several weeks roots will grow. Allow the roots to get an inch or more in length.
Plant gently and firmly into pot with proper soil mix.
Make sure to keep the soil moist until the roots begin to set into the soil.

Philodendron Burle Marx Plant Care Guide