Split-leaf philodendron is not actually a philodendron but a woody, perennial, broadleaf evergreen, climbing vine in the arum family (Araceae). It is native from Mexico to Panama and can grow to 70 feet tall, though it stays between 6 to 8 feet in most home environments. In North Carolina it is grown as a houseplant. It prefers an average warm temperature of 60 to 85 degrees F, moderate brightness but not direct sunlight, and high humidity. Variegated cultivars will need more sunlight than darker green cultivars. Water this plant thoroughly, then allow the top quarter to one-third part to dry between watering. Using a humidifier or setting in the plant container on a tray of wet pebbles helps increase the humidity in dry interior settings. Sturdy support is necessary to prevent the stems from breaking. Prune or re-pot if needed in the spring and wipe dust off of the leaves regularly. Propagate by layering or stem cutting. In its native habitat it starts its life as a terrestrial plant, turning epiphytic once it comes into contact with a sturdy tree it can climb. While It typically does not produce flowers or fruits in interior landscapes, it can produce an edible fruit that is said to taste like a cross between a banana and pineapple. Quick ID Hints: Gigantic pinnately-lobed leaves with internal holes. Leaves are broadly ovate to cordate. Junction between leaf blade and petiole is present on mature leaves. Insects, Disease, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
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; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Climbing
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green; Variegated
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate; Ovate; Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Long-lasting; Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are gigantic, up to 1 foot or more, dark green, glossy, long petiolate, heart-shaped, perforated with several holes throughout the blade, some extending to margin and splitting margin to appear deeply lobed to pinnatifid. Only mature leaves have these holes, developing as the leaf grows. The leaves have a distinct junction where the blade meets the petiole. Some cultivars are variegated.
Flower color
Green; White
Flower value
Long-lasting
Flower form
Spadix
Flower size
> 6 inches
Flower detail
The inflorescence is a spadix and spathe. Spathes are large, creamy-white, and up to 1' in size. The spadix is shorter than the spathe at 10" long and an inch thick. Rarely flowers as a house plant.
Fruit color
Cream/Tan; Green; White
Fruit type
Aggregate; Berry
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
> 3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Fruit detail
This plant produces an aggregate of creamy-white berries covered by green hexagonal "scales"; the fruit is ripe once the scale covering it falls off naturally. These berries are edible and taste like a mixture of banana and pineapple. Rarely produces fruit as a houseplant.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Stems are thick, long, and leafy.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Mexico to Panama
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Fruit type
Aggregate; Berry
Edibility
Only ripe fruits are edible and are used to flavor drinks and ice cream or are eaten fresh. Some people are allergic.
Intense burning of mouth, tongue, and throat; nausea, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, drooling, and diarrhea may also occur; contact with cell sap may cause skin irritation. Only if eaten in large quantities.
Toxic principle
Needle-like calcium oxalate crystals; possibly other unidentified toxins