If you’re a fan of subtle colours and velvety textures, here’s the perfect plant for you — a philodendron Micans!
The Micans is well-loved for its soft, velvety foliage and signature variegation. The leaves can start a pinkish bronze or burgundy, then become a reddish brown or purple over time.
It’s not the most low-maintenance plant, as it needs consistently but lightly moist soil and plenty of indirect sunlight. Still, that stunning foliage is more than worth the effort!
Get to know the ins and outs of philodendron Micans care, including what you (Mi)can do to help it thrive.
Light Needs | Potting Mix | Pot and Support | Plant Environment | Watering | Pruning | Fertilising | Propagation | Common Problems | Pests
Meet the Philodendron Hederaceum Micans
The Micans is a variety of the heart-leaf philodendron (or sweetheart plant)! Those iconic deep green, heart-shaped leaves take on a velvety texture and subtle variegation in this cultivar.
Micans leaves can be reddish-brown, bronze, burgundy, or even purple.
Also known as the velvet leaf philodendron, its scientific name is Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum (quite a mouthful). You might also see it called the Philodendron scandens ‘Micans’.
Heart-leaf philodendrons are native to tropical regions in Central and South America. In the wild, they’re often found climbing up tree trunks to reach for more light.
Like other philodendron varieties, the Micans is toxic to pets such as cats and dogs. Licking, chewing, or ingesting any part of the plant can cause irritation and gastrointestinal issues.
Growing Conditions for Philodendron Micans
Your usual philodendron care works just fine for a Micans — lots of indirect sunlight and medium humidity levels.
Then just make sure your plant has potting soil that doesn’t get waterlogged or reduce airflow.
Light
Light exposure for your philodendron Micans plant influences its leaf colour! To maintain the variegations, keep the plant in bright, indirect light.
Brighter light will lead to reddish or bronze leaves, while lower light results in darker green foliage. Wherever you put your Micans, make sure you can see the sky from its position.
A good general rule is about 0.3–0.5m away from an east or northeast-facing window.
Keep the plant out of direct sunlight, especially in the afternoon — variegated leaves are more susceptible to leaf burn!
If you don’t have an appropriate window, consider a full-spectrum grow light.
Potting mix
The ideal philodendron Micans soil is a very chunky, well-draining potting soil that’s slightly acidic. Philo Micans has delicate roots, so the potting medium should be light and airy.
If you want to make your plant really happy, create your own potting mix with equal parts of the following:
- Orchid bark
- Perlite
- Potting soil or compost
- Peat moss or coco coir
For added plant nutrition, add a small amount (1:10 ratio to potting soil) of worm castings.
Potting and support
Philodendrons climb in the wild, but they can take on a trailing growth habit indoors. It all depends on how you want to display them!
For a climbing Micans, keep it upright with a trellis or moss pole. Attach the plant to its support using garden ties or clips between the leaf nodes.
If you want a trailing Micans, keep it in a hanging basket or a pot on a high shelf. Make sure it gets enough light, though — too little light and you’ll start seeing leggy growth.
Whichever you choose, the pot should have plenty of drainage holes so your velvet leaf philodendron doesn’t get wet feet.
Growing environment
Since P. hederaceum is native to tropical climates, it prefers medium to high humidity — somewhere between 45–70%. Low humidity may dry out the leaves.
Do not mist the leaves to raise humidity. The water can stick to the velvety surface and cause the foliage to rot.
For temperatures, your Micans will do best between 18–28ºC. Keep it out of drafts and other windy spots, and no temps lower than 12ºC at night.
Caring for a Philodendron Hederaceum Micans
Watering will be the biggest part of philodendron Micans care — not too much, but not too little, either!
Watering a philodendron Micans
The Micans is a bit fussier about watering than other philodendrons — the soil should be lightly, consistently moist without being waterlogged.
As a general estimate, water when the soil is a quarter to halfway dry. You can keep your Micans in a clear pot so it’s easier to see moisture levels, or test with a wooden stick.
How often you water a Micans will depend on room temperature and sun exposure, but once every 7–10 days is a good estimate.
Pruning a philodendron Micans
The Micans is a fast grower — up to 12cm a month in ideal conditions. Pruning helps maintain shape, prevent leggy stems, and encourage more lush growth.
It’s best to prune your philodendron Micans during late spring or early summer.
Use a pair of sharp, sanitised secateurs when trimming. Make a cut about 5–10cm above soil level, between leaf nodes.
You can save the cuttings for propagation!
Fertilising a Micans
So long as your velvet leaf philodendron has lots of organic matter (like worm castings) in its potting medium, it shouldn’t need fertilising!
If you want, though, apply a weak solution of balanced houseplant fertiliser during the growing season. Follow the package instructions for dilution and frequency of use.
Philodendron Micans Propagation
Like other aroids, it’s fairly easy to propagate philodendron Micans!
Choose healthy stems and cut off 5–10cm from the tip, between leaf nodes or aerial roots. Remove the leaves from the bottom half of each stem and place them in a clear jar or bottle.
Add enough water to submerge the bottom nodes and leave them in a spot with indirect sunlight. No need to change the water unless it’s murky or has algae — just top up as needed.
New roots should start sprouting after a few weeks. Once they’re at least 3cm long and have secondary roots, transfer the cuttings to a small pot with airy, well-draining soil.
Keep the soil consistently moist until the plant establishes its roots.
You can also try air layering your Micans! Make a tiny cut in a leaf node, then wrap it with damp sphagnum moss. Secure the moss with plastic wrap or a propagation ball.
Spray the moss with water if it begins drying out, then in a few weeks, you should see new roots.
Common Philodendron Micans Problems
The philodendron Micans is a pretty hardy plant — most issues have to do with watering and sun exposure.
Ensure proper care so your velvet leaf philodendron is healthy and happy!
Why are my philodendron Micans leaves curling?
Dry, curling leaves are usually a sign of underwatering or too much sun. Ditto if your philodendron Micans has small leaves.
Bottom-water your Micans by putting it in a large container and adding tepid water until it’s halfway up the pot. Leave it to soak up the water for an hour or two.
Make sure your plant is getting indirect light, not direct sun! Move it a small distance from the window or keep it under a grow light instead.
Why are my philodendron Micans leaves dry and falling off?
Some leaf shedding is a normal part of a plant’s life cycle! It only becomes an issue if there’s excessive leaf loss combined with dried-out leaves — both signs of underwatering or low humidity.
Put another way, your Micans is drying out.
Give the plant a good soak by placing the pot in a container of tepid water. This will rehydrate the soil and give your Micans a much-needed drink.
You can boost humidity levels by using a humidifier or grouping the Micans with other plants. And of course, keep it out of direct sun!
Why does my philodendron Micans have yellow leaves?
Wilting yellow leaves and mushy stems are signs of root rot.
The Micans is prone to root rot due to its delicate roots and tricky watering needs. The soil needs to be lightly moist but not waterlogged.
Root rot is typically caused by either overwatering (meaning watering too often) or poor drainage.
Stop watering your Micans and check on the roots. Dark, mushy, and/or smelly growth is a sign of rot — cut off the affected roots immediately, then spray the remaining ones with a little 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Repot the plant in fresh potting medium and do not water for a few days so it can recover.
Why are there brown spots on my philodendron Micans leaves?
There are a couple of reasons why your Micans may have brown spots on its leaves:
- Extrafloral nectaries
- Leaf burn
- Spider mites
Extrafloral nectaries are plant glands (yes, really) that produce nectar to attract ants! They’re common in philodendrons and are mutually beneficial — the ants provide protection, and the plant provides food.
If you have sticky, brown spots on stems and leaves, it’s just nectar and nothing to worry about.
Brown spots with yellow edges are a symptom of leaf burn, which happens with too much or too-harsh sun. Move your plant away from the window and let any affected leaves drop off.
If you notice tiny white specks or webbing on your Micans, especially at the base of its leaves, those are spider mites. The brown spots are from the pests eating the foliage.
Isolate the plant ASAP to prevent the pests from spreading. Thoroughly spray the leaves with diluted neem oil or insecticidal soap every few days until the mites are gone.
Why are my philodendron Micans leaves turning red?
If you’re seeing plenty of red or bronze foliage on your Micans and not much green, it’s likely getting too much light.
This isn’t a concern unless there’s too little green on your plant, which limits photosynthesis. In that case, move your Micans further from the window and the new growth should be green again!
Why is my velvet leaf philodendron getting leggy?
Leggy growth in a Micans looks like long stems with wide gaps between leaves. That’s a sign that your plant isn’t getting enough light.
A philodendron Micans thrives in bright, indirect light near a window. Alternatively, use a full-spectrum grow light.
Philodendron Micans Pests
The Micans isn’t very susceptible to pests, but some common indoor houseplant infestations include:
- Fungus gnats
- Mealybugs
- Scale
- Thrips
Check the leaves, stems, and soil for signs of pests. You can treat them with an insecticidal soap spray or by watering with a solution of 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 4 parts water.
More to Know About a Micans Plant: FAQs
Let’s round up some questions that people often ask about the philodendron Micans plant.
Is philodendron Micans rare?
Not anymore! A Micans philodendron used to be a rare plant, but it’s more available now thanks to cultivation.
Still, it’s not as common as its parent plant, the heart-leaf philodendron, or other philodendron varieties like the Brasil.
Are philodendron Micans hard to care for?
The Micans isn’t low-maintenance, but it’s not very fussy, either. The most difficult part is watering, since you need to keep the soil lightly moist without waterlogging.
Underwatering or excessive heat will cause the leaves to dry out and fall off. On the other hand, overwatering can rot the roots and kill your plant.
You also need to ensure your Micans gets an adequate amount of light.
Is Philodendron Micans a low-light plant?
No — the Micans is not a low-light plant. It needs several hours of indirect sunlight (or a grow light) to maintain its variegation.
If your philodendron Micans doesn’t get enough light, it’ll revert to the deep green leaves of the standard Philodendron hederaceum.
Philodendron Micans vs Melanochrysum
While both philodendrons, the Micans and Melanochrysum are different varieties! The main difference between the two is leaf shape.
The Micans has heart-shaped leaves even when juvenile. Meanwhile, the Melanochrysum’s leaves are more elongated, and will get longer and narrower as the plant matures.
Other differences include the Micans having a thinner stem, and the Melanochrysum being a slow grower. The Micans also has greenish leaf veins, while the Melanochrysum’s veins are white or cream.
