Articles
Philodendron Diseases
Informational table showing disease name, symptoms, pathogen/cause, and management of Philodendron diseases.
Updated:
July 5, 2023
| Disease | Symptoms | Pathogen/Cause | Management |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bacterial Leaf Spot | Translucent spots on leaf margins become reddish-brown with yellow halos. Large spots are tan and irregularly shaped. | Xanthomonas campestris pv. dieffenbachiae | Purchase plants free from the disease. Avoid overhead watering. Remove infected leaves. |
| Bacterial Blight Philodendron selloum | Small very dark green spots on leaves expand rapidly and spread to petioles. Infected leaves collapse in a wet rot that smells foul. | Erwinia caratovora pv. Carotovora E. chrysanthemi | Avoid overhead watering. Remove infected leaves of plants not severely affected. Water in a manner that keeps the surfaces of leaves and petiole dry at all times. |
| Cold Injury | Very dark green to brown blotches form between leaf veins. | Temperatures below 50° F | Do not place plants near air conditioners. Maintain temperatures above 55° F. |
| Magnesium Deficiency | V-shaped yellow areas form on leaves especially in cool greenhouses. | Insufficient magnesium | Apply one teaspoon magnesium sulfate (Epsom salts) per gallon of water. |
| Tip Curl | Leaf tips curl downward and leaf margins brown. Roots die. | Over-fertilization | Reduce fertilizer rate and leach the soil if slow-release fertilizer is not present. Repot if excessive slow release fertilizer was used. |










