Philodendron campii 'Lynette'

Origin of Philodendron campii 'Lynette'

'Lynette' is a cultivated form of Philodendron campii. Where 'Lynette' originated in cultivation remains unknown.

The wild species grows from Colombia through Ecuador and Peru to northern Brazil in humid tropical forest. It usually grows on trees and can also occur on the forest floor, particularly at higher elevations. Plants in Colombia grow at roughly 100–600 m.

Caring for Philodendron campii 'Lynette'

• Give the crown room to spread: The short stem supports itself, so leave the arching leaf stalks loose and keep nearby plants from pressing into the rosette.
• Give the rosette even light: Keep it in a bright spot without harsh midday sun, and turn the pot occasionally if the crown starts leaning.
• Water the roots without filling the crown: Soak the pot when the upper mix has started to dry, but avoid leaving water sitting in the tight centre of the rosette.
• Use an airy mix that holds some moisture: Choose a free-draining potting mix that keeps a little moisture available between waterings.
• Temperature and humidity: Use about 18–29 °C as the normal growing range. Shift the plant warmer when the surrounding temperature approaches 15 °C. Use 50–60% as the normal humidity range.
• Feeding: During a flush of new growth, apply a modest complete feed. Once growth slows, lengthen the interval between feedings.
• Repot when the roots become crowded: Move to a slightly larger container or refresh the mix when drainage begins to slow.
• Propagation method: Once a basal shoot has roots it can be separated; healthy stem sections with an active node can also establish.

Problems to check inside the rosette

• A new leaf sticks, tears or opens with silvery scars: First check whether the leaf was caught in the tight crown, then inspect folded growth for thrips and black specks. If thrips are confirmed, isolate the plant and remove accessible insects. If further treatment is needed, use a product labelled for thrips on indoor ornamental plants; treat tender folded growth only if the label expressly permits it and never force the leaf open. If no pest is found, give the next leaf more room and keep watering steady.
• The leaves look deeply pleated: This is normal for P. campii and one of its defining features. The deep pleating alone is not a sign of thirst; look for a genuinely dry pot or limp foliage.
• Lower leaves yellow and the centre becomes soft while the mix stays wet: Pause watering and check drainage. If the crown or roots continue softening, inspect them carefully. Keep all firm roots and the sound central growing point intact. Remove only clearly rotten, soft or foul-smelling loose tissue with a disinfected tool; do not cut into the firm crown. Replace compacted, waterlogged mix if needed. Extensive rot inside the growing point may not be recoverable.

Philodendron campii ‘Lynette’ 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.

When was Philodendron campii first published, and what does it mean?

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.” Campii honours the American botanist Wendell Holmes Camp, who collected the species in Ecuador in 1944.

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 campii in 2004 in Aroideana, volume 27, page 39.