I’m still a novice when it comes to houseplants. I’ve had this baby philodendron florida ghost for a little over a month, and we’ve been having some issues.

So when I got her, I transferred to a semi hydro setup in perlite (she had sad, spindly little roots, and I was thinking it would be gentler than pon as the semi hydro roots developed). Then I put the thin, fragile thing under a grow light and scorch the few tiny green leaves that are actually photosynthesizing.

Anyway, yesterday I noticed mold on top of the perlite and it finally clicks that the perlite was holding way too much moisture. All my other plants that I transferred directly into pon are showing really impressive root growth.

I take it out of the pot and realize that there is zero new root growth. Zilch. So, I panic and repot in a very chunky mix.

As you would imagine, she is not happy, and I’m not sure what to do. I’m worried that the shock of going back into soil will cause the plant to croak, but I’m also afraid to mess with it anymore. Any advice would be appreciated!