Philodendron 'Narrow Escape'

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

Buy this from Plant Nurseries
1 Suppliers

A cultivar of Philodendron bipinnatifidum native to the tropical rainforests of northern South America where it climbs the trunks of forest trees using its aerial roots to cling to the bark. The elongated spear-shaped leaves are glossy green and have tooth-like indentations along the margins. The leaves can reach 90cm long on mature specimens. It is easy to grow in cultivation, adapting well to indoor conditions, making it useful as a houseplant, where it is valued for its ornamental foliage. Mature specimens can produce flowers consisting of a pale greenish-pink, sheath-like spathe, enclosing a white spadix or column

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1A

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Araceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eatenskin/eye irritant/allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eatenskin/eye irritant/allergen - For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Philodendron can be shrubs, trees or climbers, with glossy, leathery, evergreen, simple to pinnately divided leaves, and tiny flowers borne within arum-like white, green or reddish spathes
Name Status: Unresolved
Plant Range: northern S America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass, grow in an open, ericaceous, well-drained, but moisture-retentive mix, which can include, lava rock or pumice, fine fir bark and leafmould or chopped sphagnum moss, choosing a position in bright but diffused light. During the growing season, allow the surface of the compost to become just dry before thoroughly watering the compost. Avoid plants sitting in water which can cause the roots to rot. Apply a liquid houseplant fertiliser monthly during April to September. Water less frequently in winter, when growth slows right down, and stop feeding until the spring. Repot every 2-3 years. See Philodendron and houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by stem-tip or leaf bud cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects, glasshouse red spider mite and mealy bugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free