Tree philodendron, a member of the arum family (Araceae) is an upright, perennial, woody, broadleaf evergreen shrub in its South American native habitats, but it is grown as a houseplant in most of North Carolina. It can grow 4 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide and reclines or creeps with age. It will climb with adventitious roots if given 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). Grow this plant in moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter. It prefers high light and moderate humidity but tolerates low light conditions. It does not tolerate salt buildup, 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. Tree philodendron is desired for its large, glossy, lobed green leaves. Low light and over-watering will cause leaves to be smaller with fewer or no lobes. It rarely blooms as a houseplant. It is used as an indoor shrub specimen or in a container outside in warm weather and moved indoors when temperatures dip below 60 degrees F. It may become too large for smaller homes. Quick ID Hints : Leaves are gigantic, glossy and heart-shaped. Leaves are deeply lobed and have long petioles. The stem is short, and the sheathing stipule-like structures are large. The stem bears distinctive leaf scars surrounded by stiff scales. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems : Aphids, mealybugs, scales, banded greenhouse thrips 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. More information on Philodendron .
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
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
6-feet-12 feet; 12-24 feet
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Ascending; Erect
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Pinnatifid
Leaf margin
Entire; Undulate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
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.
Flower color
Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; White
Flower form
Spadix
Flower shape
Funnel
Flower detail
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.
Fruit color
Orange; Red/Burgundy; White
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit detail
Fruits are a berry that is white to orange or red in color.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Stems are stout, green, and have prominent leaf scars and adventitious roots.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
E. Bolivia to SE. & S. Brazil and NE. Argentina
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Berry
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Design feature
Specimen
Garden tags
#houseplant #interiorscape #interesting leaves #winter interest #large leaves #fantz #problem for dogs #problem for cats #tropical feel #poisonous #spadix #container plant #contact dermatitis #perennial #problem for children #poisonous if ingested
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Banded Greenhouse Thrips
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs
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.