Climbing Philodendron species are equipped with a system of earth roots and aerial roots. The roots of the earth are responsible for stabilizing the soil and supplying it with water and nutrients. You can read here which functions the aerial roots fulfill and how they are treated professionally.
What function do Philodendron aerial roots have and how do you care for them?
Aerial roots in climbing Philodendron species fulfill the functions of stabilizing and supplying water and nutrients from the air. To care for them, they should be regularly sprayed with soft water and attached to a suitable climbing aid, such as moss-covered poles.
Aerial roots are useful in two ways
If a philodendron gains height, aerial roots sprout from the leaf nodes of its shoots. In tropical habitats they wrap around the bark of jungle giants so that the plant can climb towards the light. Since a philodendron is not a burden to the tree as a parasite, it is nicknamed tree friend.
At the same time, the adhesive organs extract water and nutrients from the rain and air in order to contribute to the supply. In contrast to other epiphytic tropical plants, such as orchids, the main burden of the philodendron's supply rests on the roots of the earth.
Care tips for aerial roots
With a view to their key function in the magnificent growth of your philodendron, aerial roots should not be left aside when it comes to care. How to do it right:
- Spray aerial roots once or twice a week with soft water
- Do not cut off vital root strands that are too long
- Redirect to the climbing aid instead
If you cut back your Philodendron extensively, the aerial roots on the cuttings will naturally also be removed. An aerial root that is too long should only be shortened outside of a pruning measure if it is completely dead.
Aerial roots don’t like smooth, dry surfaces
So that the aerial roots of a philodendron can hold on to the climbing aid, the surface structure should resemble the bark of a tree. Therefore, moss sticks and poles wrapped with coconut mats are popular as climbing aids. Although the ground is sufficiently coarse, the aerial roots still cannot find a footing at the beginning. How to solve the problem:
- Cover the poles on the climbing frame with a 5 cm thick layer of sphagnum
- Then tie the aerial roots loosely
- Spray the moss daily with soft water
After a while, thanks to the moist layer of moss, the aerial roots have anchored themselves so firmly with the climbing aid that the binding material is no longer necessary.
Tip
Climbing philodendrons can be easily propagated with cuttings. In contrast to the related Monstera, a cutting does not have to have an aerial root to transform into a majestic tree friend.
