--- title: "My philodendron only pushes small leaves, why ??? It's driving me…" description: "My philodendron only pushes small leaves, why ??? It's driving me crazy, she is in a self watering clay pot, under a grow light. Any tips ? Thank you :)" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/6WjlL_2rTSS00GnYx8UA_g/D9jsKMe6vJoWT2TogiMAAK" community: "Philodendron Parents" author: "Manyacaprini" published: "2025-10-11T20:44:24.696703Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/TvX-HbNYMIbJEj1V-oo9EHT6urjJ6VFrPt1zbBDUjAA/rDIK7yWrRNGGidZLR-6SJA.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Philodendron Parents](https://getplanta.com/community/6WjlL_2rTSS00GnYx8UA_g.md) # My philodendron only pushes small leaves, why ??? It's driving me… _Posted by Manyacaprini on 2025-10-11_ My philodendron only pushes small leaves, why ??? It's driving me crazy, she is in a self watering clay pot, under a grow light. Any tips ? Thank you :) ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/TvX-HbNYMIbJEj1V-oo9EHT6urjJ6VFrPt1zbBDUjAA/rDIK7yWrRNGGidZLR-6SJA.webp?size=large) ## 7 comments ### happysoxdonkey commented on 2025-10-11 TBH I don’t think self watering pots are reliable. I always worry that they will over water the plant. ### Spike commented on 2025-10-11 Those specific self watering pots have been causing so many problems for people I’ve seen. If you have a light meter, how much light is it getting from the grow light? #### Manyacaprini replied on 2025-10-11 1301 is the reading for the grow light. Should I change to a regular pot ? Should I chop her ? Thanks #### Spike replied on 2025-10-11 lux or foot candles? #### Spike replied on 2025-10-11 I wouldn’t chop but I would change the pot if you have something else. I have seen so many people posting issues with these specific pots recently, the terracotta seems to be too thick to work as an actual self watering pot ### Manyacaprini commented on 2025-10-11 1301 lux. And I will change the pot. Thank you ! #### Spike replied on 2025-10-12 That’s an ok amount of light for survival and some growth but they tend to thrive with light closer to 2100 to 5300 lux (rough numbers I had to convert them because i usually use foot candles lol) --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_