Philodendron Micans Care Guide

1. Light

Micans thrives in bright, indirect light.

Too little light = small leaves, stretched stems, dull colour.

Too much harsh sun = crispy edges and faded velvet.

Terrarium note: It tolerates lower light than most Philodendrons, so it adapts well under LED bars.

2. Watering

Water when the top layer of soil feels dry.

Do not keep it constantly wet.

Signs your Micans is unhappy:

• Yellow leaves: Overwatering

• Crispy or folding leaves: Underwatering

• Thin stems and tiny leaves: Not enough light

3. Humidity

Micans enjoys humidity but doesn’t sulk without it.

It thrives anywhere from standard room humidity to terrarium-level humidity.

In a terrarium it generally grows faster and colours deepen.

4. Soil

Use a loose, airy mix such as:

• cocopeat

• perlite

• bark

• a little sphagnum

Anything well-draining works.

5. Feeding

A monthly feed during spring and summer keeps growth lush and full.

Is Philodendron Micans Reptile Safe?

This is the big question for reptile keepers.

Officially:

Philodendrons (including Micans) contain calcium oxalate crystals. These can cause irritation if eaten by pets.

However:

Reptile-safe communities commonly use Philodendrons in enclosures because reptiles do not actively eat these plants unless they’re starving, bored, or not offered enough greens.

But… chameleons are the exception.

Important Note: Chameleons May Eat Plants

Chameleons do sometimes eat leaves — even from plants that are not meant to be eaten.

If you keep chameleons:

• Avoid any plants containing calcium oxalates (Philodendrons, Pothos, Aglaonema, Dieffenbachia, etc.)

• Choose guaranteed edible, non-irritating plants like hibiscus, pothos only if supervised, mulberry, safe ficus species, etc.

So for chameleon keepers:

Philodendron Micans is not suitable.

For other reptiles (snakes, geckos, frogs, etc.):

Yes, you can safely use Micans in a terrarium, as these reptiles do not consume plants.

If you want it reptile-safe for a mixed enclosure, always consider the animal’s dietary habits first.

Philodendron Micans in Terrariums

Micans is genuinely a great terrarium plant because:

Handles high humidity

Grows well under LED lighting

Trails beautifully against glass

Doesn’t outgrow the space too fast

Low maintenance

Soft leaves won’t scratch or harm animals

Just remember to plant it where it won’t get constantly trampled by larger reptiles.

Summary

Philodendron Micans is:

• velvety

• colourful

• low-maintenance

• adaptable to indoor and terrarium setups

Safe for most reptiles but NOT for chameleon enclosures because chameleons may nibble plants.

If you want a statement trailing plant that also works in bioactive tanks (excluding chameleons), Micans is one of the best choices.