Philodendron white knight is a climbing houseplant with striking stark white and green foliage on brown and purple stems. It comes from South America and is considered quite rare.
Philo white knight is a part of the Araceae family of plants, and its genus is Philodendron, which includes more than 400 species [1]. This highly sought-after plant can grow to be between 8′ and 12′ tall and has a slow growth rate.
White knight philo can be purchased from online retailers and boutique stores, including Etsy.
Philodendron White Knight Care
If you are lucky enough to own a white knight philo, ensure that it thrives by following a care regimen. From soil to watering and the diseases and pests that can harm your white knight, there is a wide berth of information you should know.
Below you will find facts about the plant’s care and how to implement them.
Soil
A moist and well-draining soil with a pH of 5.0 to 7.0 will keep a white knight thriving. Soil amendments, including peat moss and orchid bark, can help you achieve a perfect free-draining soil.
Watering Frequency
A white knight philodendron should receive water when the top few inches of soil become dry. You can test this by placing your finger in the soil and feeling for moisture.
Lighting
The best kind of lighting for a white knight philo is medium to bright but indirect. The plant will thrive when placed by a window. Proper lighting helps this plant maintain variegation, keeping those desirable white splotched leaves growing.
Humidity & Temperature
Coming from South America, this plant enjoys the warmer and tropical temps between 55°F and 80°F (12°C – 26°C). Their humidity requires the same tropical standards of between 50% and 70%. When keeping the plant indoors, it can be difficult to maintain those humidity levels. Placing a humidifier or frequent misting can help achieve that.
Fertilizing
A white knight does not need heavy fertilization. It will thrive with sparing use of a balanced or nitrogen-rich fertilizer in the spring and summer when it is actively growing. You can decrease the frequency during the cooler seasons.
Propagation
To propagate a white knight philo plant, you need to obtain some cuttings with nodes attached. You will then want to place the cuttings into a filtered glass of water with the nodes submerged. Keep the glass in indirect sunlight and change the water weekly until you see the development of roots. You can then place the plant into a free-draining potting mixture and follow a normal care routine.
Diseases & Pests
Typical pests such as whiteflies, aphids, and mealybugs can affect this plant. When infested with these pests, the plant may start to have discolored spots and curling leaves. This plant can also have root rot when a planter or soil mixture does not allow for proper drainage.
Toxicity
This philodendron contains high amounts of a compound known as calcium oxalate crystals. This compound can be very toxic for humans and pets. Ensure to keep this plant out of the reach of young children, dogs, and cats.
White Wizard vs White Knight
White knight philodendron and philodendron white wizard are not the same. What sets them apart are their stems. White knights have purple stems with hints of brown and white. White wizards have traditional green stems.
White Knight vs White Princess
White princess and Philodendron white knights are often compared despite them not being the same plant. White knight philo has broad leaves, while white princess has narrower leaves. Additionally, the white princess is a self-heading plant, whereas the white knight is a trailing climber.
White Knight Tricolor Philodendron
White knight tricolor is rare, meaning you cannot always buy it from your local nursery. White knight philodendron tricolor can be purchased from websites such as Etsy and individual online sellers. Many cost upwards of $60.
References:
[1] Wikipedia contributors. (2022, March 21). List of Philodendron Species. In Wikipedia. Retrieved September 28, 2022, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Philodendron_species