Shaking up the world of Philodendrons, this unusual and sought-after specimen will add a zesty pop of colour to the otherwise wide range of green foliar plants most of us are familiar with. Combining shades of pink, cream, yellow and green, ‘Strawberry Shake’ brings with it character, visual interest and an exotic aesthetic. It’s little wonder it’s so highly prized among plant collectors. Once the reserve of horti enthusiasts willing to pay a premium for its beautiful leaves, we’ve worked closely with our growers to bring you a limited number of this rare beauty. It’s a great alternative or addition to a Philodendron collection that could include Tanya the ‘Pink Princess’, Leo the ‘White Wave’ or Pedro, the Philodendron ‘Brasil’.
Despite her exotic air, Steph is quite an easy-to-grow houseplant, there’s just a couple of things to get right. Pop her a spot that gets bright, indirect light to keep her variegation strong and showy. If her leaves start to look a little faded, move her to a brighter spot. Careful not to overexpose her though, as too much harsh direct light might bleach or burn her leaves.
When it comes to watering, try to mimic the tropical showers Philodendrons thrive in, in the wild. Let the top inch or so of soil dry out, then water deeply. ‘Strawberry Shake’ won’t enjoy sitting in water, so let it drain thoroughly before putting it back in its decorative pot, giving the nursery pot a light squeeze to prevent waterlogged soil. To keep those fabulous leaves in tip top condition and avoid the edges from drying out and browning, maintain high humidity. Regularly clean the leaves with a damp cloth, and while you’re there you can do a quick health and pest check. A regular preventative spray with bug control spray won’t do any harm.
With the right care your Philodendron will start to want to climb, just like it does in the tropical jungly environments it grows in naturally. Mimic the surface of a branch or treetrunk with a kratiste pole which has the bonus of showing off your ‘Strawberry Shake’ to its full potential.
Did you know?
‘Strawberry Shake’ does not occur naturally in the wild. It has been especially bred by crossing two or more species of Philodendron to create its special and unique colour combination.
