Chris Buckland
Tree philodendron is one of the most common houseplants found in offices, homes, and businesses. It’s a great plant to have when you work in an office because it thrives in low light conditions. Plus, it’s an excellent plant to grow if you don’t have time to take care of your plants on a daily basis.
Because tree philodendron doesn’t need much maintenance and is fairly easy to take care of, it’s a great plant for anyone who doesn’t have much experience with indoor plants.
Tree philodendron is not just one type of philodendron but an entire species of the large arborescent (tree-like) vine called ‘philodendron’ (AKA ‘lacy tree’ or ‘monstera).
Characteristics Table
| Origin | South America |
| Scientific Name | Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum |
| Common Names | Split-leaf philodendron, lacy tree philodendron, selloum, horsehead philodendron |
| Type | Broadleaf evergreen |
| Family | Araceae |
| Temperature | 70°-80ºF |
| Watering | Every 1-2 weeks |
| Light | Bright indirect light |
| Toxicity | Toxic for Humans and Pets |
| Propagation | Propagation through stem cutting |
| Flowering | Seasonal bloomers with tiny white flowers with no petals arise on a spadix and a spathe |
| Maximum Size | 15 feet |
What is a Tree Philodendron?
The tree philodendron is an evergreen vine that grows quickly but not so much that it will take over your house. The tree philodendron will grow to a height of about 6 feet and a width of about 3 feet. The leaves are about 36 inches long and about 6 inches wide.
The leaves can be green or variegated. The leaves are large, similar to the leaves on a philodendron plant.
The tree philodendron thrives in medium to low light conditions. It prefers moist soil and should be watered regularly. The tree philodendron is not bothered by pests. And it can be pruned to keep it under control. Tree philodendron plants are suitable as houseplants and can be grown in containers or in the ground.
The tree philodendron is also commonly used in commercial settings like offices and hotels. Tree philodendron can be propagated by cuttings or by root division.
Growing Conditions for a Tree Philodendron
These are the conditions that tree philodendrons thrive in:
Rich Soil
The tree philodendron is a big plant so it needs rich, loamy soil that can hold nutrients and water. The soil should be enriched with compost for optimal growth
Temperature and Humidity
The tree philodendron does not thrive in extreme temperatures. The tree philodendron prefers temperatures between 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Please read this article on “What is high humidity and how to increase humidity for your houseplants” to find out how to increase humidity for these plants.
Fertilizer
The tree philodendron needs fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. The tree philodendron can be grown indoors or outdoors.
Watering
The tree philodendron needs regular watering and should be watered once the top inch of soil is dry.
Light
The tree philodendron does not thrive in very bright and sunny conditions. It grows best in medium and low light. But it can also grow indoors in dim light.
Tips for Growing a Tree Philodendron
- When growing a tree philodendron indoors, be sure to provide it with plenty of sunlight. However, if your philodendron is receiving too much sunlight, the leaves will burn and may even die.
- The tree philodendron is a heavy feeder, so you will want to fertilize it regularly. You can also add compost to the soil to supplement nutrients and water.
- You can propagate tree philodendrons by taking cuttings and by dividing the root system.
- If your philodendron has wilted leaves, it may be that the soil is too dry. You can water the plant more often, but you should also amend the soil to make it moister.
- If your philodendron has black spots on its leaves, it may be suffering from a fungus. If you notice black spots on the leaves, you should discard the plants.
- When your tree philodendron grows bigger, you will want to trim it to keep it healthy. You can trim the stems and leaves to control the size of the plant. You can also prune the philodendron to make it flower.
Why Is Your Tree Philodendron Turning Brown?
There are a few reasons why your tree philodendron might be turning brown. You can identify the cause based on the color of the leaves. The most common causes of brown, wilted leaves are:
Too much fertilizer
If your tree philodendron is turning brown, it may be that you are feeding it too much fertilizer. Excessive fertilizer can burn the leaves, causing them to brown and die.
Lack of water
If your tree philodendron is wilting, it may be that the soil is too dry. You should water the plant regularly.
Root Rot
If your tree philodendron has wilted, slimy leaves, it may be suffering from root rot. You can treat this by pruning the wilted leaves and repotting the plant.
How to Care for a Tree Philodendron
Humidity
The tree philodendron requires high humidity. You can provide the philodendron with higher humidity by placing it near a source of humidity, such as a nearby plant.
Light
The tree philodendron grows best in medium and low light. But it can also grow indoors in dim light.
Temperature
The tree philodendron does not thrive in extreme temperatures. The tree philodendron prefers temperatures between 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Water
The tree philodendron needs regular watering and should be watered once the top inch of soil is dry. You should water the plant more often during the growing season.
Fertilizer
The tree philodendron needs fertilizer that is high in nitrogen. You can feed the plant with fertilizer every month or so.
Pruning
You can trim the stems and leaves to control the size of the tree philodendron. You can also prune the philodendron to make it flower.
FAQs
Is tree philodendron an indoor plant?
Yes, tree philodendron is an indoor plant. It is a tropical plant that prefers bright, indirect light and high humidity. Additionally, it requires soil that is rich in nutrients and drains well. It is best to use soil that is adapted for indoor plants. You can take the tree philodendron out for the summer in a well-lit spot with good humidity. It should be watered regularly and fertilized occasionally.
How big does a tree philodendron get?
The size can vary depending on the conditions they’re grown in, but they generally reach a height of 30 to 40 cm and a width of 40 to 50 cm. They can get bigger if the conditions are right. They are slow-growing plants, so it takes a long time for them to reach this size.
They are best suited for outdoor growing but can be grown indoors too if you have a very bright spot that’s warm and humid.
Is a tree philodendron poisonous?
The leaf of tree philodendron is toxic and can be dangerous to humans and animals if ingested. The leaves are highly toxic if ingested. Handling the plant may cause skin irritation or systemic contact dermatitis.
Conclusion
The tree philodendron is a great, low-maintenance houseplant that is easy to take care of. It grows quickly and can be propagated by cuttings or by root division.
The tree philodendron thrives in low light conditions and can be grown indoors or outdoors.
If you want to grow a philodendron but don’t have much experience with indoor plants, the tree philodendron is a great plant for beginners who are just getting started.
