Philodendron alatiundulatum

Natural range of Philodendron alatiundulatum

Philodendron alatiundulatum is native to Colombia and Ecuador and occurs in the wet tropical biome.

Indoor care for Philodendron alatiundulatum

• Keep the winged leaf stalks clear of the support: Use a broad plank or wide pole and attach only the climbing stem. Leave open space for the rippled stalk margins.
• Increase light gradually: Bright diffuse or indirect light suits the plant. After a move, increase exposure gradually and protect the broad leaves from sudden hot sun.
• Temperature and humidity: Keep temperatures around 18–29 °C, with prolonged cold below 15 °C avoided. Humidity around 50–60% supports steady growth.
• Keep the winged leaf stalks dry: Keep the rippled leaf-stalk edges clear of wet moss and let splashes or cleaning water dry promptly with gentle airflow.
• Water after the surface layer has dried: Wet the root ball thoroughly and drain the excess. Use a chunky potting mix whose centre does not remain waterlogged for prolonged periods.
• Feeding: Use a balanced fertiliser at a moderate dose once healthy roots and steady new growth are evident; reduce feeding when growth slows.
• Repotting: Increase pot size slightly when roots crowd the container. Keep the broad support firmly anchored and the pot stable.
• Propagation: For propagation, take a healthy stem section with a node; an aerial root already present can speed establishment.

Petiole, growth and root problems in Philodendron alatiundulatum

• A winged petiole margin turns soft or translucent: Move it away from wet support and restore warm, moving air. If softening continues to advance, isolate the plant and cut away only tissue that has become soft and dead, using clean tools and keeping firm tissue intact.
• New leaves become smaller or the stem stretches: Improve the stem’s contact with support and increase filtered light gradually. If the pot still stays wet for unusually long, pause watering, clear the drainage route and wait for normal partial drying to return before feeding again.
• Yellowing develops while the mix dries very slowly: Clear the drainage route and stop watering for the moment. If decline continues as the mix loses moisture, inspect the roots, keep all firm roots, remove only soft decayed sections and repot when the substrate has become compacted or stagnant. If the root system is extensively lost, use a firm node-bearing stem section for propagation and establish it in fresh, unused potting mix. If rot has reached all roots and every viable node, discard the plant.
• A petiole wing tears or creases: Physical damage will remain visible. Give later growth more clearance from ties, walls and neighbouring leaves and leave firm, healthy tissue in place.

Philodendron alatiundulatum 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.

Philodendron alatiundulatum: name and meaning

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.” The epithet alatiundulatum combines Latin alatus, meaning winged, with undulatus, meaning wavy, referring to its winged, rippled petioles.

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

Thomas Bernard Croat first described Philodendron alatiundulatum in 2016 in Aroideana, volume 39, page 50.