Q.what are the nodules or white balls that grow on my vine houseplant?
It doesn’t appear to be insects. The nodules seem to be at the soil level to start a stem or vine but then about a foot or more down the vine another white ball will grow. I have tried to take the new nodule and start it growing in the soil without much luck.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Your plant is probably a heart leaf philodendron; the botanical name is Philodendron cordatum. You can google either of those names to find pictures and information.
The nodules are probably pieces of the perlite, which is in the potting soil to help maintain good drainage. After it's in the soil for awhile, algae grows inside it, because it holds moisture, and that's what gives it the green color.
Another possibility is that the nodules are pieces of slow-release fertilizer that was added to the plant by the grower.
Well I dont know where my picture went but I made it the avatar for my user name so hopefully that helps. Unless I can figure out how to get the picture here on the stream of conversation!
I uploaded a picture but I dont see it here? Ill try again.
OK, you got me. That certainly doesn't sound like a philodendron. Nor does it sound like any common houseplant. Can you send a picture? Go to this page, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ask-a-question/
and at the bottom of the form there's a place to send a photo.
Thanks for the great info! Im not sure its a philodendron unless they get quite small? These leaves don't get much bigger than a dime. And I should have said the leaves are not solid green or variegated but have a pattern of a darker green on the rim and some spotty design within the surface of the leaf. Also the balls are quite big, dime size at least and occur all along the length of the vine as well as at the dirt level. Thank you!!
Thanks for your consideration! I don't actually know the name of the plant, I have never seen it anywhere else but I found it in a store that then closed up and they called it a heart leaf plant as they may not have known the name either? The vines have heart shaped leaves. The nodules seem to be kind of sandy feeling on the outside with the stems coming out of them, and on the inside it is moist and greenish like it is living part of the plant. It is very pretty especially if it drapes down from a hanging pot.
It would help to know what kind of plant you have. Also, the texture of the nodules when squeezed between your fingers...hard, crispy, soft and stringy? Also how long have these been on your plant?
