Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Philodendron bipinnatifidum
- Description
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Split Leaf Philodendron is an upright evergreen shrub that grows up to 6'6" and becomes decumbent with age. This plant will climb with adventitious roots. This plant is desired for its large, glossy, lobed green leaves on long petioles used as an indoor shrub specimen. In low light and over-watering will cause leaves to be smaller with fewer or no lobes. This plant can easily become too large for house potted plants. This plant prefers medium light, medium relative humidity and moist soil. This plant will tolerate low light for long periods. Grows in moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter. It can grow up to 15 feet tall in its native tropical habitat, but is typically much smaller when grown in a pot. It is a semi-woody shrub that has the ability to climb if provided support. Plants are often grown in pots and bought indoors when temperatures dip below 60 degrees F. This plant has no serious pest or disease problems.
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.
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
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Thaumatophyllum
- Species:
- bipinnatifidum
- Family:
- Araceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- E. Bolivia to SE. & S. Brazil and NE. Argentina
- Distribution:
- Paraguay and southeastern Brazil
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Description:
- Seasonal bloomer with tiny white flowers with no petals arise on a spadix and a spathe that is enclosed with a red-purple spathe and rarely seen in cultivation. 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.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Obtuse
- Leaf Margin:
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are alternate, simple, cordate, obtuse, sagittate, pinnatisect, have many deep lobes, have undulate or flat margins, coriaceous, glossy bright green, up to 2' in size. Petioles are equal in length to the leaf blade. 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
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
