Confused beginner requesting help with basics

[CitricPrincess]

So, I'm very inexperienced with plants. That is to say, I've tried to keep them on and off for a while but have the opposite of a green thumb and have never had much success. But I'm tired of my plants dying, and still havn't given up my dream of having one of those wonderful houses full of plants, so I'm hanging up my pride and asking for some help.

I decided this round to start simple, and my local Walmart was selling these beautiful White Wizard Philodendrons. They looked healthy and already well started, and I know Philodendrons are sposedto be easy, so I figure take one home, follow the care instructions on the tag, and go from there.

This was about two weeks ago.

I noticed it seemed well, possibly over watered, as the soil was very wet, so deciding to follow instructions to not water til the top of the soil feels dry, I haven't watered it yet. The soil still feels damp. The plant is across the room from a south facing window, but the room, including the shelf the plant sits, is well lit by natural light for most the day.

However, a few days ago I noticed the largest leaf was browning and soft/limp (not dry/crispy) at the end. In the next couple days, two more leaves have been following suit.

What is causing this. How do I fix it?

Was it over watered at the store as I feared? And if so is there anything I can do?

Is it underwatered and I need to figure out a better system of telling when it needs more?

Is the light not actually adequate and I need to move it elsewhere?

Something else my newbie self hasn't thought of or isn't aware of?

Please help, I'd like to actually learn and succeed at keeping these alive.

 

[oneeye]

Hello friend, I know how frustrating it can be for a plant to go in distress. Every mistake can be a golden opportunity to learn what to, or what not to do, so be easy on yourself. It looks like a water management issue to me.

I would remove the inner pot out of the designer pot until I learn the water management needs of the Philodendron. If you water in the designer pot and it has no drainage holes, thats the problem. Don't let the plant set in water ever because that will cut off the oxygen in the roots and cause brown spots. When you are not sure when to water its best to gently tip the plant out of the pot and get a good look and feel of the roots before watering.

Philodendrons do best with long periods of indirect sunlight but hate direct Sunlight so keep it as bright as you can. Sometimes the best remedy is to just leave it alone for a while and let the plant recover. Good luck and keep us posted. If you have any more questions just ask one of our members. Thanks for the post friend.

 

[Meadowlark]

Welcome @CitricPrincess! Good advice from @oneeye above.

I would just add encouragement to not be afraid to make mistakes as that is often the best way to learn in this "hobby".

Every "green thumb" has made mistakes and learning from them is what often earns that moniker.

 

[CitricPrincess]

Thank you all for your replies. They do help : )

I have removed the plants from the decorative outer vases. I had thought to glance in those and make sure there wasn't sitting water, but removing them completely does make more sense for now. And I have given it some water, as the soil now did seem fairly dry and it had been a bit without any added. The first leaf to show damage is now curling and crisping at the edges, and the other two seem increasingly wilty. But I suppose if water was the issue the best path forward is to keep watering them as I should and keep an eye on things?

Allowing myself mistakes, and learning from them instead of giving up in frustration is what I'm working on in many areas, this one included more than I had realized. But that's why I'm here, so I can learn~

 

[oneeye]

Thank you all for your replies. They do help : )

I have removed the plants from the decorative outer vases. I had thought to glance in those and make sure there wasn't sitting water, but removing them completely does make more sense for now. And I have given it some water, as the soil now did seem fairly dry and it had been a bit without any added. The first leaf to show damage is now curling and crisping at the edges, and the other two seem increasingly wilty. But I suppose if water was the issue the best path forward is to keep watering them as I should and keep an eye on things?

Allowing myself mistakes, and learning from them instead of giving up in frustration is what I'm working on in many areas, this one included more than I had realized. But that's why I'm here, so I can learn~

Learning from mistakes is the teacher teaching us, what to do and what not to do. I have made every mistake in the book but I didn't quit. That is the key to having a green thumb. Winners never Quit and Quitters never Win. Thanks for the post friend, and keep us updated.