Watering schedule

How often to water Philodendron Gigas (Philodendron gigas) — the schedule

Also called Philodendron Gigas, Gigas, Velvet Giant Philodendron.

More about philodendron gigas

Watering at a glance

Base rhythm	When the top 1-2 inches of mix are dry, roughly weekly in summer and less in winter
Spring / summer	Spring and summer: water when the top of the soil is dry to roughly a knuckle deep — typically when the soil tells you it is time.
Autumn	Autumn: growth slows, so stretch the interval and let it dry a little more between waterings.
Winter	Winter: water noticeably less — often half as often — because low light and dormancy slow water use right down.
Light	Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)

About Philodendron Gigas

Philodendron gigas · also called Philodendron Gigas, Gigas · tropical

Philodendron gigas is a rare climbing aroid from Panama, prized for huge, velvety, deep-green leaves with pale veins. Give it bright indirect light, a chunky aroid mix, high humidity, and a moss pole to climb. It is toxic to cats and dogs (calcium oxalates), so keep it well out of reach of curious pets.

Ideal humidity: 60% or higher

Watch for — Yellowing leaves: Usually overwatering or soggy mix; also possible with nutrient shortage or over-fertilizing. Check that the top inches dry between waterings and that the pot drains freely.

The watering schedule, season by season

Philodendron Gigas likes a soak-then-partly-dry rhythm — let the top of the soil dry before watering again, and never leave it standing in water. The base rhythm for philodendron gigas is when the top 1-2 inches of mix are dry, roughly weekly in summer and less in winter, but the real interval moves with the season, the light and the pot — so treat the figures below as a starting point and always confirm with the plant itself.

Spring & summer (active growth): Spring and summer: water when the top of the soil is dry to roughly a knuckle deep — typically when the soil tells you it is time.
Autumn (slowing down): Autumn: growth slows, so stretch the interval and let it dry a little more between waterings.
Winter (rest / dormancy): Winter: water noticeably less — often half as often — because low light and dormancy slow water use right down.

Water thoroughly until it drains from the pot, then let the top 1-2 inches of the aroid mix dry before watering again. Both overwatering and prolonged dryness cause wilting and yellowing; never leave the roots sitting in water.

Want this turned into a live reminder that adjusts to your home and the weather? The Growli watering calculator takes your pot size, light and season and returns a starting interval for philodendron gigas in seconds.

How to tell philodendron gigas needs water

A calendar is the worst way to water philodendron gigas. Check the plant and the soil instead — for this species, look for these signals in order:

The top 2-3 cm of soil is dry to the touch (or a knuckle-deep finger test comes back dry).
Lifting the pot, it feels distinctly light.
Leaves droop slightly or lose a little of their gloss just before they truly need water.

The most reliable single check is the first one on that list. When two signals agree, water; when they disagree, wait a day and look again — under-watering philodendron gigas for a day is almost always safer than over-watering it.

Overwatering vs underwatering philodendron gigas

The two failure modes can look alike at a glance, so check the soil weight and wetness before you decide. For philodendron gigas specifically:

Signs you are overwatering

Yellowing lower leaves and a pot that stays wet and heavy for days.
Soft, brown, mushy stems or a sour soil smell — root rot.
Fungus gnats breeding in permanently damp soil.

Signs you are underwatering

Drooping, curling leaves with crispy brown edges that perk up after watering.
The rootball shrinks away from the pot and water runs straight down the sides.
Slow growth and a generally tired, washed-out look.

Watering philodendron gigas on a fixed weekly calendar regardless of season is the most common mistake — in dim winter light the same routine drowns it. Check the soil, not the date.

Water quality notes

Tap water is generally fine for philodendron gigas. If your water is very hard and you see brown leaf tips, switch to filtered or rainwater.

Seasonal and environmental adjusters

Every figure above shifts with the conditions in your home. For philodendron gigas, the levers that matter most are:

More light and warmth speed drying; the brighter the spot, the shorter the real interval.
Pot size and material matter — small terracotta pots dry far faster than large glazed or plastic ones.
Lifting the pot to feel its weight is more reliable than any calendar for judging when to water.

Pot choice is part of this too — work out the right size with the pot size calculator, since a pot that is too big stays wet long enough to rot the roots of philodendron gigas.

Philodendron Gigas watering — frequently asked questions

How often should I water philodendron gigas?

Water philodendron gigas when the top 1-2 inches of mix are dry, roughly weekly in summer and less in winter. Spring and summer: water when the top of the soil is dry to roughly a knuckle deep — typically when the soil tells you it is time. Winter: water noticeably less — often half as often — because low light and dormancy slow water use right down.

How do I know when philodendron gigas needs water?

The top 2-3 cm of soil is dry to the touch (or a knuckle-deep finger test comes back dry). Lifting the pot, it feels distinctly light. Leaves droop slightly or lose a little of their gloss just before they truly need water. The single most reliable test for philodendron gigas is the first signal on that list — checking the soil or the plant directly always beats watering by the calendar.

What does an overwatered philodendron gigas look like?

Yellowing lower leaves and a pot that stays wet and heavy for days. Soft, brown, mushy stems or a sour soil smell — root rot. Fungus gnats breeding in permanently damp soil. Watering philodendron gigas on a fixed weekly calendar regardless of season is the most common mistake — in dim winter light the same routine drowns it. Check the soil, not the date.

What are the signs of an underwatered philodendron gigas?

Drooping, curling leaves with crispy brown edges that perk up after watering. The rootball shrinks away from the pot and water runs straight down the sides. Slow growth and a generally tired, washed-out look.

Can I use tap water on philodendron gigas?