PHILODENDRON: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, PROPERTIES, EXAMPLES, CULTIVATION - SCIENCE - 2025

Philodendron is a genus of terrestrial climbing or shrubby herbaceous plants, belonging to the Araceae family. Known as liana, monkey banana, philodendron, philodendron, güembé, huambé, snake bush, tripedog or tapir, they are native species of the American tropics.

Philodendrons are characterized by their aerial roots that favor their climbing habits and the large lanceolate or lobed leaves of bright green color. The flowers, which only develop in natural environments, are grouped in a cylindrical inflorescence covered by a white, yellow or red spathe, the fruit is a fleshy berry.

Philodendron. Source: pixabay.com

They are tropical species widely used as ornamental plants, due to their easy adaptation to partial shade or environments with artificial light. They multiply easily through terminal cuttings, require a fertile substrate with constant humidity, and also provide attractive foliage to interior decoration.

In the Amazon basin, some wild species are in danger of extinction, due to the rapid destruction of tropical rain forests. On the other hand, most species of Philodendron contain calcium oxalate crystals, which is why all parts of the plant are considered toxic.

General characteristics

Appearance

The genus Philodendron is made up of a group of epiphytic, hemiepiphytic, climbing, creeping or terrestrial plants. In general, they present a great morphological diversity and are characterized by being small shrubs or vines that climb on large trees thanks to their aerial roots.

Estate

Its adventitious roots that grow from the nodes of the creeping stems are particular. There are short and numerous holding roots that allow anchoring on the host plant, and feeding roots that penetrate the ground in search of water and nutrients.

Leaves

The shape and size of its leaves is variable, they are usually lanceolate, lobed, oval or pinnate, with a smooth, leathery and shiny texture. Their color varies in different shades of green, red or purple, some are tinged between white and yellow. They can measure up to 100 cm long by 50 cm wide.

They emerge alternately at the base of the stem and are arranged at the end of a long semicircular or flattened petiole of green or reddish color. When they sprout they are covered by a modified or cataphilic leaf, which protects them until the petiole is fully developed.

flowers

The tiny flowers are grouped in a spadix or yellowish-white fleshy spike-shaped inflorescence. This spadix is ​​covered by a white, yellow or red spathe. In its natural environment, flowering occurs during spring or summer.

Fruit

The fruit is a fleshy berry that develops and ripens only in natural environments or under greenhouse conditions. In some areas, the fruits are consumed as fresh fruit due to their pleasant taste and aroma similar to pineapple or pineapple.

Philodendron inflorescence. Source: pixabay.com

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae

- Division: Magnoliophyta

- Class: Liliopsida

-Order: Alismatales

- Family: Araceae

- Subfamily: Aroideae

- Tribe: Philodendreae

- Genus: Philodendron Schott 1832.

Etymology

- Philodendron: the name of the genus derives from the Greek terms «φιλος» and «δενδρο», which mean «friend» and «tree». What is translated as the «tree-friendly plant», alluding to its epiphytic condition that grows anchored on the trees.

Synonymy

- Calostigma Schott in Schott & Endl. (1832).

- Meconostigma Schott in HW Schott & SL Endlicher (1832).

- Sphincterostigma Schott in HW Schott & SL Endlicher (1832).

- Arosma Raf. (1837).

- Telipodus Raf. (1837).

- Thaumatophyllum Schott (1859).

- Elopium Schott (1865).

- Baursea (Rchb.) Hoffmanns. ex Kuntze (1903).

Stem and adventitious roots of Philodendron. Source: pixabay.com

Habitat and distribution

Its natural habitat is located under tropical conditions in understory and very humid lowland forests. However, they are common in swampy areas, springs, river banks, roadsides or paths, humid forests and rocky areas.

The genus Philodendron has more than 120 species native to tropical America, although they are cultivated as ornamental plants anywhere in the world. They grow wild from Central to South America, including Costa Rica, Panama, Martinique, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Paraguay.

Philodendron appendiculatum. Source: Rǫgn / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Properties

Philodendrons are very popular ornamental plants due to their striking foliage, ease of cultivation, and rapid growth. However, most commercial species contain calcium oxalate crystals, the intake of which is toxic to humans and animals.

The stems and leaves, even the roots of the philodendrons give off a milky liquid that can cause dermatitis at the slightest contact with the skin. Likewise, its intake causes irritation of the oral mucosa and digestive disorders. In domestic animals, such as cats or dogs, it can cause pain, spasms and seizures.

However, in some regions, certain species are used under supervision for their medicinal properties. This is the case of the philodendron known as "cipó-imbé" (Philodendron bipinnatifidum), the extract of its leaves and roots is used for the traditional treatment of ulcers and rheumatic pain.

Examples of species

Philodendron appendiculatum

Perennial shrub with large oval-triangular petiolate leaves and prominent adventitious roots that favor its grip. It is a hemiepiphyte species native to shady areas in the tropical forests in the southeast of Brazil, in the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Philodendron bipinnatifidum

Epiphytic or terrestrial plant of little height, large leaves and lobed shape, 70 cm long by 50 cm wide. Commonly known as güembé, it is a non-creeping perennial shrub native to Brazil.

Philodendron bipinnatifidum. Source: pixabay.com

Philodendron cannifolium

It is an epiphytic plant of slow growth, compact, short height, rosette growth and thickened stems. The leaves are leathery, thin and lanceolate, bright green in color. Native to the Guyana region in South America.

Philodendron erubescens

Climbing plant, it is characterized by its reddish cordate leaves when young and dark green when adults. It grows at the level of the tropical understory, climbing over trees through its long and robust adventitious roots. In native to the rainforests of Colombia.

Philodendron erubescens. Source: Filo gèn '/ CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Philodendron hastatum

Known as "spearhead philodendron" it is a climbing species whose stems have numerous adventitious roots and are protected by stipules. The large lance-shaped leaves are silvery-green with pointed apex and arrow-shaped base.

Philodendron lacerum

It is considered an epiphytic or hemiepiphytic plant that grows on large trees, vigorous and with multilobed leaves of a semi-glossy green or gray-green color. It is a very common species in the jungles of Jamaica, Cuba and Hispaniola, including Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Philodendron hastatum. Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Philodendron scandens

Known as "climbing philodendron" it is a herbaceous plant used as an ornamental due to its heart-shaped leaves that are bright green or mottled with green and yellow. Its creeping stems have numerous adventitious roots that are anchored to the stakes and it is characterized by its rapid growth.

Philodendron tweedianum

Perennial shrubby species with a climbing, creeping or hemiepiphyte habit, large leaves with entire edges and a green-glaucous color. Its natural habitat is located in wetlands, jungles or humid forests of South America, specifically in Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina.

Philodendron tweedianum. Source: CHUCAO / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)

Philodendron wendlandii

It is an epiphyte that develops in the form of a rosette, has simple and lanceolate leaves that can be up to 35 cm long. It is located in regions with a very humid climate on the Caribbean slope, especially in Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Panama, at elevations of 0-700 meters above sea level.

Philodendron xanadu

Perennial shrub of moderate growth, compact, rounded and spreading. Its segmented, slightly pendulous, oval and lobed leaves develop from long peduncles. It is a native of Brazil and Paraguay.

Philodendron xanadu. Source: Photo by David J. Stang / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Culture

Species of the genus Philodendron are commercially propagated by apical stem cuttings in early summer. Each cutting must contain at least three nodes, a few leaves, and numerous adventitious roots at least 12-15 cm long.

The cut is made with a well-sharpened and disinfected tool, removing the lower leaves and cutting under a leaf node. It is advisable to cover the cut with some type of phytohormone to promote its rooting.

The sowing is done directly in the definitive pots using a substrate made of black soil, coarse sand and vegetable compost. The pots are placed in a greenhouse with a nebulization system and a constant temperature of 25 ºC, under these conditions, rooting begins after 30-45 days.

Philodendron scandens. Source: Sueska152 / Public domain

Care

- Philodendrons develop under conditions of tropical climate. They require temperatures above 10 ºC to survive in any outdoor environment.

- They naturally develop at the undergrowth level, so they require good lighting during the day, but not direct sunlight. They develop effectively in partial shade or indoor environments with artificial light.

- Grown in pots requires a fertile substrate composed of black soil, sand and organic matter obtained from composted plant waste.

- The application of irrigation depends on the climatic conditions and the texture of the soil. During spring and summer it can be watered every 3-4 days, increasing its frequency during autumn and winter.

- It is recommended to apply sprays on the leaves to maintain constant humidity.

- Maintenance pruning is recommended to regulate the growth of climbing species.

- Applications of mineral fertilizers are recommended during spring and summer, every 15-20 days together with the application of irrigation. In the fall you can make an amendment of organic compost trying to remove the soil around the plant.

- Philodendrons are rustic species that resist the attack of pests and diseases, however, when the relative humidity is very low it tends to suffer attacks from spider mites or spider mites.

References

1. Crisci, JV, & Gancedo, OA (1971). Systematics and ethnobotany of the guembé. (Philodendron bipinnatifidum) An important South American aracea. La Plata Museum Magazine, 11 (65), 285-302.
2. The cultivation of Philodendron (2020) Infoagro Systems, SL Retrieved at: infoagro.com
3. Filodendro (2018) Elicriso: Magazine on the Environment and Nature. Recovered in: elicriso.it
4. Granda, IA (1998). The genus Philodendron SCHOTT (Araceae) in Cuba. Feddes Repertorium, 109 (1-2), 33-39.
5. Philodendron. (2020). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
6. Philodendron (2020) Catalog of Life: 2020. Retrieved from: catalogueoflife.org
7. Sánchez, M. (2018) Philodendron. Gardening On. Recovered in: jardineriaon.com