Variegated Philodendron Strawberry Shake Live Plant – Rare Houseplant – Exotic Indoor Plant

Overview

Introduce a touch of vibrant elegance to your indoor plant collection with the magnificent Variegated Philodendron Strawberry Shake live plant. This highly sought-after aroid is celebrated for its truly unique and eye-catching foliage, making it a standout among exotic houseplants. Each leaf on the Variegated Philodendron Strawberry Shake live plant is a work of art, displaying a mesmerizing mosaic of green, creamy white, various shades of pink, and even burgundy red. The ‘Strawberry Shake’ name perfectly captures the delightful blend of colors that resemble a sweet, fruity confection, ensuring that no two leaves are exactly alike. As a live plant, it offers not just aesthetic beauty but also the joy of nurturing a living, growing specimen that will continuously evolve and surprise you with its new leaf formations. This particular offering ensures you receive the exact plant pictured, allowing you to appreciate its current unique variegation and growth habit.

The Variegated Philodendron Strawberry Shake live plant is a tropical gem, originating from the rainforests of South America. It thrives in conditions that mimic its natural habitat, making it an ideal choice for indoor environments when provided with the right care. Its relatively compact growth habit makes it suitable for various living spaces, from dedicated plant shelves to bright office desks. This rare collector plant is perfect for enthusiasts looking to expand their collection with something truly special and for anyone who appreciates the dynamic beauty of variegated foliage. Its striking appearance makes it a fantastic focal point and a conversation starter in any room.

Key Benefits

Owning a Variegated Philodendron Strawberry Shake live plant offers a multitude of benefits, from enhancing your home’s aesthetic to providing a rewarding gardening experience:

• Stunning Variegated Foliage: The most prominent feature of this plant is its incredible variegation. The blend of green, cream, pink, and burgundy on its heart-shaped leaves creates a dynamic and ever-changing display, ensuring that your plant always looks fresh and captivating. This unique coloration is a natural work of art.
• Rare Collector’s Item: The Variegated Philodendron Strawberry Shake live plant is considered a rare and highly desirable plant among collectors. Adding it to your collection signifies an appreciation for unique botanical specimens and offers a sense of pride in owning something truly special.
• Air Purification Qualities: Like many houseplants, this Philodendron contributes to a healthier indoor environment by helping to filter airborne toxins. It naturally improves air quality, making your living space fresher and more pleasant.
• Boosts Mood and Well-being: Studies show that having plants indoors can reduce stress, improve concentration, and boost overall mood. The vibrant colors and living presence of the Variegated Philodendron Strawberry Shake live plant can significantly enhance your sense of well-being.
• Easy to Care For: While it is a rare plant, the care requirements for ‘Strawberry Shake’ are quite manageable for most indoor plant enthusiasts. With proper light and watering, it can thrive and continue to produce its beautiful leaves.
• Versatile Decor Piece: Its striking appearance makes it an excellent decorative element. Whether placed on a shelf, desk, or as part of a larger plant display, it adds a sophisticated and exotic touch to any interior design scheme.
• Engaging Growth Habit: Observing new leaves unfurl and develop their unique variegation is a truly rewarding experience. The growth of this Philodendron provides continuous interest and a connection to nature indoors.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Variegated Philodendron Strawberry Shake live plant involves understanding its tropical needs to ensure its vibrant variegation and healthy growth. These plants thrive in bright, indirect light. Placing them near a window that receives filtered sunlight, such as an east-facing window, or a few feet away from a bright south or west-facing window, is ideal. Direct sunlight can scorch its delicate, variegated leaves, leading to irreversible damage. If natural light is insufficient, a grow light can supplement its needs, ensuring consistent light exposure for optimal color development.

When it comes to watering, the key is to allow the top inch or so of the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is a common issue that can lead to root rot, which is detrimental to the health of your Philodendron Strawberry Shake indoor plant. The frequency of watering will depend on environmental factors like humidity, temperature, and the size of the pot. Always check the soil moisture with your finger before watering. Good drainage is crucial, so ensure your pot has drainage holes. Humidity is also important for this tropical plant; consider using a humidifier, pebble tray, or grouping it with other plants to increase local humidity.

For soil, a well-draining potting mix with good aeration is essential to prevent waterlogging. A mix formulated specifically for aroids or tropical plants works exceptionally well. You can also enhance drainage by adding amendments such as perlite, orchid bark, or coco coir to your potting mix. Fertilize your rare Philodendron plants during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength, approximately once a month. Reduce or stop fertilizing during the dormant winter months. Maintain temperatures between 65-80°F (18-27°C) and avoid sudden temperature drops or cold drafts. If you notice the leaves curling under, this may be a sign of under-watering, indicating it’s time to check the soil and provide a drink.

Size & Details

This offering is for an exact Variegated Philodendron Strawberry Shake live plant, meaning you will receive the specific plant shown in the accompanying images. This provides confidence in the variegation pattern and overall health of the plant you are purchasing. Philodendron Strawberry Shake typically exhibits a vining or climbing growth habit, making it suitable for trellises or moss poles as it matures, though it can also be maintained as a bushy specimen with regular pruning. The size of the plant will vary based on its specific growth stage, but it is generally a robust, established cutting or young plant, ready to thrive in its new home. It will arrive potted in its nursery container, ensuring minimal transplant shock.

The mature size of a Philodendron Strawberry Shake care specimen can reach several feet in length with proper support, with individual leaves growing to several inches across, showcasing increasingly dramatic variegation over time. The growth rate is moderate under ideal conditions, allowing you to enjoy its development without it outgrowing its space too quickly. You can expect new leaves to unfurl regularly during the warmer months, each revealing its unique blend of colors. This specific plant is a prime example of the stunning potential of this cultivar, providing an immediate visual impact and a promising future of vibrant growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Variegated Philodendron Strawberry Shake live plant get? A: With proper care and support, a mature Variegated Philodendron Strawberry Shake live plant can grow several feet long, with individual leaves reaching significant sizes. Its ultimate size depends on its environment and whether it’s allowed to climb.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: The plant will arrive in its current nursery pot, as it is the exact plant pictured. The specific pot size will correspond to the plant’s current root ball and overall size, ensuring it’s well-established.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Variegated Philodendron Strawberry Shake live plant is primarily an indoor houseplant in most climates, thriving in stable indoor temperatures and humidity. It is not cold-hardy and should not be kept outdoors if temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This Philodendron prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun exposure, which can burn its delicate leaves. A location near an east-facing window or a few feet from a south or west-facing window with filtered light is ideal for optimal variegation and healthy growth.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: While considered a rare plant, the Philodendron Strawberry Shake care requirements are relatively straightforward for experienced and intermediate plant enthusiasts. It requires consistent bright, indirect light, proper watering, and good humidity to thrive.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: You will receive the exact potted plant shown in the listing images. It will be carefully packaged to ensure it arrives in the best possible condition, ready to be unwrapped and enjoyed.
• Q: How often should I water my Philodendron Strawberry Shake indoor plant? A: Water when the top inch or two of the soil feels dry to the touch. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it’s better to slightly underwater than overwater. The frequency will depend on your home’s temperature and humidity.
• Q: Is this Philodendron pet-safe? A: Like many Philodendrons, the Variegated Philodendron Strawberry Shake live plant is considered toxic if ingested by pets or humans due to calcium oxalate crystals. It’s best to keep it out of reach of curious pets and children.
• Q: When is the best time to repot this plant? A: Repotting is best done in spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. Repot only when it becomes root-bound, moving up to a pot that is only one or two inches larger in diameter.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for rare Philodendron plants like this? A: A well-draining, airy aroid mix is best. This typically includes components like orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir to ensure good drainage and aeration, which are crucial for healthy root development.