The Encyclopedia of House Plants

Click a link for description, or click a picture to see a larger image

Philodendron

Family: Araceae.

Philodendron scandens
Philodendron Genus of about 500 species of often epiphytic, evergreen shrubs, root climbers, or small trees from variable habitats, usually rainforest, in Florida, Mexico, the West Indies, and Central and tropical South America. There are two basic types of Philodendron. The first group, the climbers, are well suited to the average room, as long as you provide firm support for the stems. A feature of many climbing Philodendrons is the production of aerial roots from the stems, and these roots have an important part to play. Push them into the compost to provide moisture for the upper leaves. Flowers and fruits rarely appear under home conditions. Most of the second group, the non-climbers, are capable of growing into immence plants with large, deeply-lobed leaves. All parts may cause mild stomach upset if ingested, and contact with the sap may irritate skin.
Growing conditions Watering and misting Propagation
Average warmth in summer - minimum 60 F in winter. Semi-shade or bright light. Keep well away from direct sunlight. Grow in soilless potting mix. Water sparingly in winter. For the rest of the year water thoroughly. Misting is necessary. In spring or summer pot up basal shoots with a few leaves and roots attached. Air layering is an alternative. Surface-sow seed at 66-75 F ( 19-24 C) in spring.
Philodendron "Imperial Green"
Philodendron "Imperial Green"
Philodendron "Imperial Red"
Philodendron "Imperial Red"
Philodendron "Red Emerald"
Philodendron "Red Emerald"
Philodendron bipinnatifidum (selloum)
Selloum philodendron has magnificent foliage with deeply lobed leaves up to 28 inches long and 20 inches wide. Does well in partial shade and is a good container plant. Eventually forms palm-like trunk. Philodendron bipinnatifidum (selloum)

User-submitted additions and corrections:

Marion
Flordia
20th Dec 2004
I am very nice but I think the Philodendron is an awfully long name plant people should vote for an abbr. ex: December to Dec. Thank Yall I love your website since I was 36 now I'm 38 Great facts on almost all Plants!!!!
Oren
USA
26th Jun 2006
I love the philodendron and all plants related to them. They are so resiliant, and unlike some plants are not too sensitive to a changing environment, they and can handle just about anything. I love to watch the non-climbers grow in the summer, it's so fast.
Pat
texas
27th Oct 2006
Has enyone seen a bloom . My selloum bloomed twice this summer . The blooms did not last long.
linda
NM, USA
1st May 2007
I've had my selloum for years and years and it does real well, but I have never seen it bloom
Denny
Santa Rosa, CA
16th Jun 2007
I planted my split leaf house plant 30 years ago in a shady corner of the patio. it is a monster now and the 'trunk' is about 4 ft tall. I recently pruned about 10 branches off of it, leaving only 2 branches and 1 new branch about to open. After this event 5 blooms have formed and 2 are already open. (We have had temperatures in the 90s here lately). This is this first time this plant has bloomed in 30 years!! It is spectacular to watch.
Cindy
Chicago, Il
19th Nov 2007
My philodendron hasn't been doing to well. I've had one over a year and it doesn't seems to be growing. It stays the same size and some of the leaves turn yellow from time to time, but the plant haven't died. I though it was because the house is usually cold but i put them out in the hallway doing the summer I didn't see any progress.
Victoria Williams
United States
26th Apr 2008
I am a bit surprised. The nursery I bought my Phil. from said they like the sun. I planted it on the south side of the house beside the driveway (under my bathroom window) where it gets sun ALL DAY LONG and it is hot here (southeast GA).. it DOES get the drip from the A/C unit, and water at the drip line from the eaves. It has been there one year. And is quite healthy. Has doubled in size, and I just went to pull a weed out and found this very strange thing that MUST be a bloom. It appears to have about 5 others that are not yet open. It is strange, I never even knew they HAD blooms...
Becky
CT, USA
8th May 2008
I got my selloum twentyfive years ago, it suffered greatly in an alcoholic marriage, a couch was overturned onto it, I had to splint the stems with toothpicks and scotch tape! and it almost succumbed to root rot when my mother tried to help it during the divorce, there was only one sickly leaf left. It still survives and loves my backyard in summer where it gets late afternoon sun. I had it in a hall upstairs for a while with bright indirect light but it didn't like it at all. I think it likes human company occasionally!
Ellen
USA
7th Apr 2009
I don't yet have a phillodendron, but I want one. I have been using this site to do plant profiles for school (plant materials class). I love this site. It is wonderfull. I have not seen as much information on any other site for house plants. Thank you all.
Xiomara Harris
USA
20th Apr 2009
I have always wanted a philodendrom because they look so tropical, but they were a bit expensive at our local nursery. To my surprise I found 2 huge plants at Loews yesterday for only $10.00 each. I am so excited!
Dawn Cooper
Alabama
4th May 2009
My split leaf philodendron is so healthy and vibrant. I have cut the leaves off about twice last year before they have time to wither too much. I love bring the stems inside and use them in tall vases to decorate. The stems were an awesome decoration for my sons wedding. They are absolutely georgeous and very impressive. I think the cutting has brought much health to the plant because 1 year after I began to take regular cuttings it has now bloomed and produced about 7 pods. Only one has opened that I have noticed and I am very excited about the others opening and watch it and take photos daily. I live in South Alabama and it is planted next to my house near my back covered porch. God's creation is so amazing and he placed it here for our pleasure.... Thank You Lord Jesus.
Judy
Missouri
1st Jun 2009
I got 3 split leaf philodendrons from a friend when she moved to Texas 27 years ago and didn't want to take them. Over the years they have been repotted and moved outside in the summer and back in during the winter. This morning I called her sister who lives close by and asked her if she would like them. They were just picked up and have a new home again. Easy plant to care for and very forgiving. Mine had gotten to big for me to bring in when it gets cold here in Missouri.
These materials are freely provided for instructional and educational purposes. Any duplication or publication of text or images herein for commercial gain without explicit written permission of the owner or photographer constitutes breach of trust and violation of copyright.
Copyright © Galka Okhapkina 1998-2024