Philodendron eximium

Climbing through Brazil’s Atlantic Forest

In eastern and south-eastern Brazil, Philodendron eximium climbs trees in wet Atlantic Forest at approximately 900–1,000 m above sea level. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott named the species in 1853.

Root and foliage care for climbing aroids

• Light: Offer bright filtered light and introduce stronger exposure slowly. Large shade-grown leaves are easily bleached or scorched by a sudden move into sun.
• Water: As soon as the surface begins to dry, soak the root zone and let it drain, keeping the roots evenly moist but never waterlogged.
• Humidity and airflow: Broad new leaves unfurl more easily in moderate to high humidity. Steady airflow prevents the leaf surfaces from remaining wet for long.
• Temperature: Stable indoor temperatures from mild to warm suit it. Avoid cold roots and extreme heat combined with dry air.
• Support: Provide a substantial vertical support and enough clearance for mature leaves to expand without pressing against walls.

Philodendron eximium: interpreting broad-leaf symptoms

• Lighter leaf undersides: A uniformly lighter lower leaf surface is normal. Mite damage is made of many pale feeding points, while an irregular mosaic or streaking crosses the usual colour pattern and may distort new leaves.
• Scorch and tearing: Broad leaves can split through rubbing or movement, and a sudden light increase can leave dry bleached patches on exposed areas. Remove the point of contact or move the plant out of strong sun; existing dead tissue will not turn green again.
• Pests beneath broad leaves: Search beneath stippled leaves for moving mites, eggs and shed skins. Thrips are more likely when new growth carries silver scrapes, black dots and distortion. Keep the plant away from its neighbours and choose a houseplant product labelled for the pest found.
• Sap-feeding insects: Mealybugs and scale settle around the stem, leaf bases and support and may produce honeydew or sooty growth. Remove the insects you can see, clean the support and nearby surfaces, then treat the hidden crevices according to the product label.
• Several broad leaves turning yellow: One ageing leaf can yellow while the rest of the plant remains firm. Rapid yellowing across several leaves requires checks for cold exposure, prolonged dryness, saturated roots or an abrupt environmental change.
• Soft roots or leaf stalks: Foul roots, a loose stem base or soft leaf-stalk lesions indicate serious tissue breakdown. Remove dead areas cleanly, restore air around the roots and keep the plant separate if softening continues upward.

Philodendron eximium 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.

About the name Philodendron eximium

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.” Latin eximius becomes eximium in this botanical name and means exceptional, distinguished, choice or excellent.

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

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott first described Philodendron eximium in 1853 in Österreichisches Botanisches Wochenblatt, volume 3, page 378.