Panda Plant Philodendron bipinnatifidum
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Philodendron selloanum
- Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum
- Phonetic Spelling
- fil-oh-DEN-dron bi-pin-nah-TI-fI-dum
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Tree Philodendron is an upright evergreen shrub in the arum (Araceae) family that is native to South America. It can grow up to 10 feet tall and wide and becomes decumbent with age. In its native habitat they can reach 15 feet in height. This plant will climb with adventitious roots if given a support and send down aerial roots from the trunk to further support its large size.
The specific epithet, bipinnatifidum, references the pinnatifid leaves (lobes with sinuses that are halfway or more into the main leaf). Tree Philodendron is desired for its large, glossy, lobed green leaves on long petioles. It is used as an indoor shrub specimen and is often used in the atrium of businesses. This plant can easily become too large for smaller homes. Low light and over-watering will cause leaves to be smaller with fewer or no lobes. It rarely blooms as a houseplant.
Grow this plant in moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter. It prefers high light and moderate humidity but tolerates low-light conditions. Plants can be placed outdoors in summer and bought indoors when temperatures dip below 60 degrees F. It does not tolerate salt build up so flush soil regularly, allow it to get rained on or use distilled water for irrigation. It can produce aerial roots that absorb water and nutrients.
Quick ID Hints:
- Leaves are GIGANTIC, glossy, and heart-shaped
- Leaves are deeply lobed and have long petioles
- Stem is short and stipules are large
- Stem bears distinctive leaf scars surrounded by stiff scales
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Relatively pest and disease-free. Aphids, mealybugs, scales, and spider mites are occasional problems. Root rot can occur in overly damp soil though they do not tolerate drought and full sun can cause leaf scorch.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
![Form](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Philodendron_selloum_GN0UFoMOQTaD.jpeg)
![Flower](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Philodendron-selloum_3VvpV5QFG4bA.jpeg)
![Leaf blade](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/DSCN4122.jpg)
![Leaves](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Philodendron-selloum_pWFWPguuAogx.jpeg)
![Leaf detail](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Philodendron-selloum_QgcKV5Mdou5H.jpeg)
![Underside of leaf](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/DSCN4124.jpg)
![Trunk](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Philodendron_bipiina_UhaK5f4EcA9K.jpeg)
![Stem close-up](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/Philodendron-selloum_7Cud1mtb9b5J.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Philodendron_selloum_pnxCv0ybHrGk.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Philodendron-selloum_HJ6ZyEyPiFdt.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/DSCN4122_thumb_L21Twd4lwqBC.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Philodendron-selloum_wITSsFsSjFRi.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Philodendron-selloum_NJDCoHw6k7N2.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/DSCN4124_thumb_TCnFeu4jB9Tz.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Philodendron_bipiina_cWBmBt8BKo0f.jpeg)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/eit-planttoolbox-prod/media/images/thumb_sm/Philodendron-selloum_yGLmeP13tpXB.jpeg)
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Philodendron
- Species:
- bipinnatifidum
- Family:
- Araceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Bolivia to SE. & S. Brazil and NE. Argentina
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Description:
- Fruits are a berry that is white to orange or red in color.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Shape:
- Funnel
- Flower Description:
- Seasonal bloomer with white flowers with no petals arise on a spadix that is enclosed with a red-purple spathe. Flowers are unusual on indoor plants. Spadix is shorter than or equal to the spathe. The spathe forms a tube around the spadix and expands above the spadix to a hood. They are greenish-yellow in color. It can take 10-15 years for a plant to bloom indoors.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Pinnatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The glossy, leathery leaves are shiny, dark green, simple, large, deeply lobed, and attached to long, smooth petioles. They can be up to 4 feet long. Margins are wavy or entire. Stipules are large, free, and lanceolate.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are stout, green, and have prominent leaf scars and adventitious roots.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- If ingested, oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), and difficulty swallowing. The sap can cause skin irritation.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Calcium oxalate crystals
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems