GARDENER'S READING ROOM
Indoor Plants

Not My Mother’s Philodendron

I confess, I’ve had a thing for Philodendrons for years. As far back as my youth, in fact, when I watched the roots of Mom's P. cordatum (oxycardium) cuttings fill the canning jar she kept on the windowsill (a tradition I keep to this day with odds and ends of plant cuttings). That was the Philodendron of her world. The Philodendron of ours has nearly 500 species and about as many cultivars and hybrids!

Tropical America offers more shade than sun, and prolonged wet periods can be followed by sudden drought. Native to this environment, philodendrons are rugged and adaptable. (Giant types, which often grow on trees, even have holes all over the leaves - so hurricane winds can blow through without ripping them to shreds. Pretty clever!) These are easy going plants. Hot and humid, hot and dry, air conditioning? Fine. Forgot to water for a few days? Don’t stress about it. A bright spot, a dim corner? No problem.

Many philodendrons climb. In your home or office they will climb up poles or hang from baskets or wall brackets. You can even train them to circle around the room! Then there are the non-climbing, self-heading types whose leaves emerge from one crown near the soil. These become wider instead of higher.

There are even a few epiphytic (air plant) species. Leaves are typically large, sometimes immense; some are heart-shaped, some deeply divided. Many varieties have juvenile foliage very different from the mature leaves; on vining types, the mature leaves only form after the plant has found a support and started to climb.

Foliage color can be deep green, pale green, burgundy/red, orange, lime, or variegated. Stems often have interesting colors and textures too. Flowers are typical of the arum family (spathes) - some are large and lovely, some are nondescript. Flower colors range from purple and red to yellow, white, and green.

If you’re in love with the lush tropical look, or you want to make a bold statement, one (or more) of the Philodendrons is what you need. They’re stunning – they’re diverse – they’re easy! Take one home - or to the office - or to school. (P.S. - according to NASA, they’re great air purifiers too.)

By Mary Ann Greco
Skylights Autumn 2005, Vol 19, No. 3

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