Philodendron ‘Bob Cee’

Origin of Philodendron ‘Bob Cee’

Philodendron ‘Bob Cee’ is a cultivated hybrid named in association with the late Bob Cee. The name became established in specialist cultivation. Its parentage and exact naming history remain unknown.

How to grow Philodendron ‘Bob Cee’

• Sturdy support and growing room: Install a firm vertical support while the vine is young and attach the stem loosely. Leave enough space around the growing point for the increasingly divided leaves to open without rubbing.
• Filtered light for steady development: Provide bright diffuse light to support strong stem growth and leaf development. Increase exposure gradually and protect the plant from sudden harsh sun.
• Temperature: The plant grows comfortably at 18–29 °C and should not remain below 15 °C for long. Avoid cold, wet root conditions.
• Humidity: Use a humidity range around 50–60%.
• Watering and potting mix: Use a porous potting mix that holds some moisture and drains freely. Water the whole root ball after part of it has dried, then let the excess drain.
• Feeding during growth: Apply a light dose of indoor-plant fertiliser while the vine is actively growing. Reduce or stop feeding during low light or a growth pause.
• Repotting: Repot into a slightly larger pot when roots crowd the container. Keep the vertical support secure and the pot stable.
• Node propagation: Cut only firm, healthy stem material that includes a node. Start it in fresh airy mix, keep it warm and lightly moist, and avoid burying the stem in a waterlogged mix.

Growth changes and problems in Philodendron ‘Bob Cee’

• Young leaves have few or no deep cuts: This is normal juvenile growth and needs no correction. Judge the plant’s development from later leaves produced after the climbing stem is established on its support.
• Later leaves remain small and simple: Secure the stem to a sturdy support and improve filtered light gradually. Check root health and recent pot changes before reviewing feeding. Once support, light and roots are suitable, use fertiliser only during active growth and at the label rate.
• One new leaf has a single tear or scar without pest signs: If there is no silvering, dark faecal specks or visible insect activity, clear any rubbing point or gently release a trapped sheath. No pest treatment is needed for isolated physical damage.
• New leaves repeatedly distort or show silvering and dark specks: Slender insects in protected growth or on leaf undersides confirm thrips. Isolate the plant, rinse away accessible insects and remove badly affected material if this will not strip the plant of healthy growth. Inspect rolled leaves, sheaths, crevices and undersides repeatedly. Sticky cards can monitor adults but do 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 undersides thoroughly, and repeat only as directed on the label.
• The plant wilts in wet medium or the stem base turns soft: Stop watering automatically and inspect the roots and stem for soft, dark or odorous tissue. If tissue is clearly rotten and soft, cut only the affected sections back to firm, healthy growth with disinfected tools and discard the decay. Renew the airy, freely draining medium and use only firm, symptom-free nodes for rescue propagation.

Philodendron ‘Bob Cee’ 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.

What does the name Philodendron mean?

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.