How to Grow Tree Philodendron (Split Leaf Philodendron)

Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum (previously Philodendron selloum syn. P. bipinnatifidum)

The philodendron houseplant is such a dependable outdated pal and so commonplace that you simply may are likely to overlook it in favor of extra outstanding species.

However then alongside comes the tree philodendron, generally referred to as lacy leaf, break up leaf, or horsehead philodendron, a species so giant and daring you’ll be able to’t assist however take discover.

It goes by numerous different widespread names as nicely, together with panda or fruit salad plant.

This tropical species has huge inexperienced, shiny, heart-shaped leaves which might be deeply lobed, with cuts so deep they attain nearly to the middle vein.

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This plant is definitely confused with one other jumbo-size, bodacious tropical, Monstera deliciosa, which additionally has divided leaves and grows huge and tall.

However these Swiss cheese vegetation may have enclosed holes on their leaves, whereas T. bipinnatifidum has the deeply minimize lobes solely.

In USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 13, this foliage plant will develop outside year-round, both in giant containers or planted in a backyard or border.

Its tall stature is tree-like, and vegetation will generally lose their backside leaves, leaving the central stalk uncovered.

Need to develop this huge, daring magnificence in your personal dwelling? I’ve loads of ideas to assist yours thrive, from propagation to taking good care of pests and stopping illness.

Right here’s the lineup:

Native to southern Brazil and the areas of Argentina, Bolivia, and Paraguay which might be close by, tree philodendrons are tropical.

Outside or within the wild, they’ll develop in extra of 15 toes tall with an upright behavior, and unfold 10 toes or extra.

Mature vegetation, usually of a minimum of 20 years of age, may produce flowers.

However these are minute, overlaying a spadix that’s protected inside a spathe earlier than it blooms, like what you will note on anthuriums and peace lilies.

Indoors, the vegetation can nonetheless attain eight to 10 toes tall and unfold six toes or extra in best situations, although you’ll be able to restrict this progress by planting them in containers no bigger than 12 inches in diameter.

Vining philodendrons are typical, however T. bipinnatifidum was as soon as categorized as one of many much less widespread, “self-heading” varieties.

Members of the Meconostigma group of philodendrons – which have since been moved to their very own genus – produce leaves that develop very shut collectively, with all of them rising from a single clump on the crown and no branching.

As they become old, these vegetation will develop a woody trunk of as much as 4 inches in diameter and start to shed their decrease leaves, sporting leaf scars that resemble an eye fixed with a darker pupil on the middle the place the foliage has fallen.

I just like the offbeat look, however when you don’t, you’ll be able to all the time restrict the dimensions of the vegetation earlier than the trunks develop, merely by limiting the pots to 12 inches in diameter or so.

As self-headers, these vegetation additionally develop aerial roots that can develop from the lengthy stem right down to the bottom. These roots assist the plant because it grows taller.