Philodendrons are popular plants that people like to keep both indoors and outdoors. When keeping these plants outdoors, they’re supposed to be grown in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11.
They make very attractive houseplants, but you will need quite a bit of space for them. You can use these plants to add a touch of green wherever you decide to place them.
Even though philodendrons are relatively easy to care for, it’s still possible to have problems with them. For instance, you might see that something has been eating your plant.
If you notice that the leaves have been chewed on, you’re likely wondering what could have eaten the philodendron. Continue reading to learn about the most common culprits that are likely to blame for munching on your plant.
Common Pests
There’s a good chance that your philodendron is being eaten by common pests. Philodendrons don’t often have problems with pests, but spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and scales can infest these plants.
Aphids are known to feed on the sap of philodendrons. They pierce the plant’s leaves and then suck out the sap.
It’s most common for aphids to feed on the new growth portions of the plant. Other pests will also feed on the leaves and cause visible damage to the plant.
Small pests such as spider mites will leave behind marks that show they’ve been feeding on the plant. You might notice the presence of tiny webs on the leaves, too.
You can get rid of pests by washing your plant with insecticidal soap. This kills any of the insects that are eating the plant and gives the plant protection for a certain amount of time.
In the future, you might want to protect your plant from pests by treating it with neem oil. Neem oil is a natural product that is known to protect plants from various pests.
When you apply neem oil to the leaves of the philodendron, it’ll do a good job of deterring common pests. It’s well worth trying if you’ve been having regular issues with aphids, spider mites, or other types of pests.
Do Deer Eat Philodendron?
It’s unlikely that the local deer population is responsible for eating your philodendrons. Philodendrons are one of the many plants that are considered to be deer-resistant.
Typically, deer will ignore philodendrons. Philodendrons are poisonous, and it would be bad for deer to eat them.
Only a truly desperate deer would try to eat such a plant. There have been times when deer will eat unusual things due to being very hungry, but you likely don’t have to worry about deer eating your philodendrons.
Do Rabbits Eat Philodendron?
There have been times when people have seen rabbits eating philodendrons. However, these plants are poisonous, and it can be dangerous for rabbits to consume them.
Usually, a rabbit will only take a few bits out of such a plant before stopping. It’ll realize that the plant isn’t good, and it’ll stop eating before it gets seriously ill.
There is some speculation that certain philodendrons might be less toxic than others as well. Sometimes rabbits might choose to eat more of the plant if it isn’t that toxic.
Animals will sometimes make bad choices that will make them sick. If you have pet rabbits, it’s best to keep them away from toxic plants such as philodendrons.
Pets
Sadly, houseplants often get eaten by pets. Pets don’t always make good choices, and they might choose to eat your plants a little bit.
This has been known to happen with both dogs and cats. You might find evidence that leads you to believe that your cat or dog ate your philodendron.
Since these plants are toxic, it’s not good for your pets to consume them. The pets will get quite sick if they eat a philodendron, and that’s why it’s best to keep it somewhere that’s out of their reach.
Will Philodendrons Kill Household Pets?
No, philodendrons won’t kill your cats or dogs. If a cat or a dog eats portions of a philodendron, it’s just going to vomit quite a bit.
The pet will get sick, and it’ll experience various stomach symptoms. There will be stomach pain, vomiting, and possibly pain in other areas of the body.
For example, eating these plants is known to make cats drool. If the cat rubs its eyes with its paws, it might experience pain near its eyes as well.
This can be a very bad experience for your pet, but it shouldn’t cause the pet to die. Even so, it’s recommended to seek the advice of a veterinarian if your pet consumes a philodendron.
The vet can tell you what to do to ease the pet’s suffering. You should be able to help get your pet back to normal, and everything will be okay.
Position Your Philodendron Carefully
When keeping philodendrons indoors, it’s best to keep them away from pets. Pets will eat these plants and get very sick if you leave them too low to the ground.
Ideally, you want to put them somewhere high that cannot be reached by dogs. Cats can be a bit trickier to hide houseplants from since they can climb.
Do your best to find a spot where your cats won’t be able to bother the philodendron. You could also choose not to keep these plants in your home if you’re worried about your pets.
Of course, you don’t want your pets to eat houseplants even if they’re non-toxic. So if you plan to keep houseplants in your home at all, you need a plan to protect them from your pets.
Final Thoughts
You should now feel that you have a good idea of what to expect when you see your philodendron has been eaten. It could be that common pests are to blame.
Often, pests such as spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, and scales will eat the leaves of these plants. You can get rid of pests with insecticidal soap.
Rabbits might choose to eat philodendrons, but it’s toxic to them. Household pets commonly make the mistake of eating these plants and getting sick.
Try to keep the plants somewhere safe to protect your pets. You also want to keep the plant safe from harm.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.