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Publication #FPS471

 

Philodendron martianum Flask Philodendron1

Edward F. Gilman2

Introduction

This dark green philodendron has six- to eight-inch-wide leaves which are 18 inches long (Fig. 1). Flask philodendron is well suited to use as an accent or specimen planting or in mass as a ground cover or low shrub. It would be hard to find a small plant with a coarser texture. Plant on three- to four-foot centers in a mass planting to create a solid, dark green, two-foot-tall ground cover, or as a single specimen in a small-scale garden.

General Information

Figure 1. 

Flask philodendron


[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]
Scientific name: Philodendron martianum
Pronunciation: fill-loe-DEN-drun mar-shee-AY-num
Common name(s): flask philodendron
Family: Araceae
Plant type: perennial
USDA hardiness zones: 10B through 11 (Fig. 2)
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round
Origin: not native to North America
Uses: mass planting; container or above-ground planter; accent; foundation; edging; suitable for growing indoors
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant

Figure 2. 

Shaded area represents potential planting range.


[Click thumbnail to enlarge.]

Description

Height: 1 to 2 feet
Spread: 2 to 3 feet
Plant habit: upright; spreading
Plant density: open
Growth rate: slow
Texture: coarse

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: spiral
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: ovate
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 12 to 18 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: green
Flower characteristic: flowers periodically throughout the year

Fruit

Fruit shape: round
Fruit length: unknown
Fruit cover: fleshy
Fruit color: unknown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: usually with one stem/trunk
Current year stem/twig color: green
Current year stem/twig thickness: very thick

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in the shade
Soil tolerances: alkaline; clay; sand; acidic; loam;
Drought tolerance: moderate
Soil salt tolerances: poor
Plant spacing: 24 to 36 inches

Other

Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests

Use and Management

It grows best in deep shade locations in well-drained soil, and is somewhat salt-tolerant. It can bring to life a dark area of the landscape with an overstory of trees. Normally used for making crosses in the nursery trade, flask philodendron may be hard to come by in retail garden centers.

Propagation is by seed or cuttings.

Pest problems include mites, scale, and mealy bugs.

Pests and Diseases

The leaves are susceptible to fungal leaf spot diseases.

Footnotes

1.

This document is FPS471, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date September 1999. Revised June 2007. Reviewed June 2011. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.