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Philodendron mexicanum

An evergreen perennial vine species from Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador, where it grows on trees in humid, tropical forests. The plant bears lance-shaped, glossy, green juvenile leaves, while mature leaves can reach 60cm long and are deeply lobed, resembling elongated arrow-heads in shape. Plants can reach 2m high in cultivation and mature specimens can produce flowers, when grown in ideal conditions, consisting of a pale green sheath-like spathe, flushed red at the base, enclosing a white spadix or column. This species is still relatively uncommon in cultivation

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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

Botanical details

Family: Araceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant/allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/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: Correct
Plant range: Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador

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

Get involved

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