Introduction

This large-leaved, easily grown philodendron makes a dramatic, tropical statement wherever it is used in the landscape, eventually developing a 3- to 4-foot-long, tree-like trunk and a spread of 8 to 10 feet. The deeply divided, usually drooping, medium green leaves grow up to three feet long and 12 to 18 inches wide, appearing on long, smooth petioles. It can be grown outside in central and south Florida, and in a protected area in Gainesville or Jacksonville.

General Information

Scientific name: Philodendron selloum

Pronunciation: fill-loe-DEN-drun sell-LOE-um

Common name(s): selloum, philodendron

Family: Araceae

Plant type: shrub

USDA hardiness zones: 8B through 11 (Figure 5)

Planting month for zone 8: year-round

Planting month for zone 9: year-round

Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year-round

Origin: not native to North America

Invasive potential: not known to be invasive

Uses: mass planting; specimen; container or above-ground planter; foundation; accent; suitable for growing indoors

Availability: generally available in many areas within its hardiness range

Description

Height: 6 to 12 feet

Spread: 10 to 15 feet

Plant habit: round

Plant density: moderate

Growth rate: fast

Texture: coarse

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: spiral

Leaf type: simple

Leaf margin: undulate

Leaf shape: saggitate (arrow)

Leaf venation: pinnate

Leaf type and persistence: evergreen

Leaf blade length: 18 to 36 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; pleasant fragrance

Fruit

Fruit shape: unknown

Fruit length: unknown

Fruit cover: fleshy

Fruit color: green

Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: showy; usually with one stem/trunk

Current year stem/twig color: brown

Current year stem/twig thickness: very thick

Culture

Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part sun; plant grows in the shade

Soil tolerances: occasionally wet; slightly alkaline; clay; sand; acidic; loam

Drought tolerance: moderate

Soil salt tolerances: poor

Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches

Other

Roots: usually not a problem

Winter interest: no special winter interest

Outstanding plant: plant has outstanding ornamental features and could be planted more

Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests

Use and Management

When given enough room to spread, selloum makes a handsome foundation or specimen planting and can also be used in large containers, where it looks especially attractive at poolside.

Although appearing as if it would need deep shade, selloum actually grows quite well in full sun or partial shade and needs fairly rich, moisture-retentive soil to look its best. Most people planting this shrub forget how large it can grow.

The cultivar 'Lundii' is more compact in form.

Propagation is by division of the offshoots or from seed.

Pests and Diseases

No pests or diseases are of major concern.

Infrequent pests include mites and scale.