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Philodendron bipinnatifidum
This is plant can be used as a design piece indoors or out. It is not a climber, it grows from a central stem and its leaves can grow to 20 inches. This plant has been called tree philodendron or the fingerleaf philodendron. Indoors it needs filtered bright light to dim light. In the summer, water freely and apply a balanced fertilizer monthly. You could mist it regularly, too. Water sparingly in winter although do not let it dry out. As with all of our indoor, potted plants, we summer them outside when the temperature gets above 50 degrees. In the ground, outdoors, we have seen them in zone 9. They grow well, year round even if the temperature gets to freezing for a few nights in the winter. Propagation by air layering or by cuttings. Some questions from Emily's mailbox:
Q: I have a Philodendron that I have had for
over 10 years. It has acquired really long legs, many of which do not have
may leaves, I believe it needs to be trimmed but don't know what I am doing,
can you help? A: I hate to tell you how negligent we are with our Philodendrons. We
have always had at least one, in a pot and now, in Florida, many outdoors.
They sometimes grow wayward roots that seem to go nowhere (which we try to
encourage back in the pot, but are not always successful) and always seem to
have leaves or shoots that have no leaves. Either way, we just use pruners
or a serrated knife and cut them off close to the main stem or base. Q: I have a HUGE plant that looks like Elephant Ears but it has splits in the leaves. I live in Central FL and it grows in the yard. It has gotten really big and occasionally blooms. I have attached a few pictures. A: It's a Philodendron bipinnatifidum. We have a few huge ones in the back yard garden (Northern Florida). They are in the ground and stay out all year. We have two that are in pots and come in as houseplants in the winter. I think they moved with us from NH or SC. Philodendron bipinnatifidum has that distinct leaf shape. Many philodendron have smooth leaves (some as large, some small) but the one you have looks just like ours.
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This
is one of an interesting and well known plant group.
There are about 500 species in the group and the leaf
shapes and sizes vary widely. Since they are native to
the tropical jungles of Central and South America they
do well in the lower light found indoors. The p.
bipinnatifidum has a beautifully unique leaf that will
grow huge given the proper care.