Philodendron ‘Bette Waterbury’ (‘69686’)

Origin of Philodendron ‘Bette Waterbury’ (‘69686’)

Thomas B. Croat formally established the cultivar name ‘Bette Waterbury’ in 2022. The cultivated plant came from Roberto Burle Marx’s collection, entered cultivation in the United States through Bette Waterbury and later reached Missouri Botanical Garden from her.

The number 69686 is Croat’s collection or voucher number for the cultivated Missouri Botanical Garden plant. Its earlier history, wild locality and parentage remain unknown. The cultivar is named ‘Bette Waterbury’. The name Philodendron × joepii is used for a cultivated hybrid in horticulture.

How to grow Philodendron ‘Bette Waterbury’

• Support for developed foliage: Give the vine a sturdy vertical support early and fasten the stem loosely as it grows. Attachment, maturity, and steady conditions help later leaves develop their characteristic lobes.
• Filtered light: Place it in bright, diffuse light. Increase exposure gradually if growth is stretched or later leaves remain small, and protect the foliage from abrupt harsh sun.
• Warmth and feeding: Keep the plant warm, especially while the root zone is moist. Feed lightly with an indoor-plant fertiliser during active growth; reduce or pause feeding when light and growth are low.
• Temperature: Growth is well suited to 18–29 °C, keeping it clear of prolonged chilling below 15 °C.
• Humidity: Use about 50–60% relative humidity where practical. Allow gentle circulation around new growth.
• Watering and roots: Use an airy, moisture-retentive mix that drains freely. Water the entire root ball once part of it has dried, then let excess water escape and empty the saucer or cover pot.
• Repotting: Repot after the root ball becomes densely packed, using a container only slightly larger. Secure the support separately if it becomes unstable.
• Propagation method: Use a healthy node-bearing stem section for propagation and retain any aerial root already growing from that node.

Changes and problems to check on Philodendron ‘Bette Waterbury’

• Later leaves stay small or only weakly lobed: First make sure the plant is mature enough to show stronger lobing and that its climbing stem is securely attached to a support. Improve filtered light gradually, then check root health, recent pot changes and feeding history. Feed only while the plant is actively growing and follow the fertiliser label; leaf size alone does not show that the plant is deficient.
• Leaves yellow and wilt while the root ball stays wet: Check moisture deeper in the pot and inspect the roots for softness or an unpleasant smell. If roots are clearly rotten and soft, cut only those sections back to firm tissue with disinfected scissors and discard the decay. Preserve all firm roots and restore an airy, freely draining root environment and empty any water left beneath the pot.
• One new leaf emerges distorted or marked without pest signs: If there is no silvering, dark faecal specks, webbing or visible insect activity, gently free any physical obstruction around the opening leaf. Keep the plant evenly warm and its moisture stable without saturating the root ball.
• New growth repeatedly distorts or develops silver marks and dark specks: Slender insects in rolled growth or on the undersides confirm thrips. Isolate the plant, rinse away accessible insects and remove the worst affected material if enough healthy growth will remain. Recheck rolled leaves, sheaths, crevices and undersides. Sticky cards can monitor adults but will not control the infestation. If active thrips persist, use only a product labelled for indoor use on the plant and thrips, cover protected growth and leaf undersides thoroughly, and repeat treatment only as directed on the label.

Philodendron ‘Bette Waterbury’ (‘69686’) is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

The meaning and history of Philodendron

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.”

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Philodendron in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 780.