Philodendron ‘Florida Ghost’

The horticultural history of Philodendron ‘Florida Ghost’

The Florida hybrid group traces back to the historic Philodendron × Florida base hybrid, recorded in the 1956 proceedings as Philodendron squamiferum × Philodendron laciniatum. Philodendron laciniatum is the historical name now accepted under Philodendron pedatum. Robert McColley of Bamboo Nursery in Orlando introduced this base hybrid.

‘Florida Ghost’ is a named cultivated selection within the group and has no wild native range of its own. Its selector and the date it was named are not known.

Care for Philodendron ‘Florida Ghost’

• Support: Give the climbing stem a stable vertical pole or plank and attach the stem without constricting the petioles.
• Light: Use bright diffused or filtered light. Protect the plant from harsh direct summer sun and acclimate it gradually after a change in exposure.
• Water: When the upper layer of mix begins to dry, saturate the root ball evenly and let the pot drain completely. Use a lightly dried upper layer as the cue to water again.
• Potting mix: Use an open, moisture-retentive and free-draining medium in a pot with drainage.
• Temperature: Keep the plant warm, preferably above about 15 °C and away from cold draughts.
• Feeding: During active growth, feed conservatively according to the product label and reduce frequency when growth slows.
• Humidity and airflow: Ordinary to moderate home humidity is suitable with airflow. Protect the plant from extreme dry heat and avoid persistently wet foliage.

Changes and problems in Philodendron ‘Florida Ghost’

• Pale new leaves become greener: Near-white, ivory, cream, mint or lime new growth normally greens as it ages. Compare leaves at different stages to follow this age-related change.
• Spear-shaped young leaves develop lobes: The leaves naturally become more divided as the plant matures. Healthy new growth can therefore look different from the simpler juvenile leaves.
• Reddish petioles feel rough: A consistently rough or textured surface can be normal. Look for attached insects, honeydew or removable shells before treating the petiole for scale.
• Gaps between leaves lengthen while leaves become smaller: Inadequate light or weak contact with the support may be responsible. Improve filtered light gradually if the position is dim, extend the support and assess the response in new growth.
• Pale foliage develops tan or brown patches: A dry bleached patch after stronger light is consistent with sun or heat injury. Return the plant to filtered light and acclimate it gradually; damaged tissue will not become green again. A wet or enlarging patch calls for isolation and diagnosis.
• Lower leaves yellow while the root ball stays wet: Pause watering and check drainage. If yellowing or wilting continues while the root ball is wet, inspect the roots. Firm roots in a freely draining mix can remain in place while the upper mix dries to the normal watering cue. Repot the firm roots into fresh airy mix when the old medium has collapsed or drainage has slowed. If rot is present, remove the dark, soft roots and repot the firm remainder in clean airy substrate. If the root system is lost or decay has entered the stem, restart only from a firm healthy node above the damaged tissue. Discard the soft tissue; if the damage leaves no firm healthy node, discard the plant.
• A young leaf is distorted, scarred or silvered: Dark specks with silvered, distorted young foliage can indicate thrips. Isolate the plant, inspect the growing point, rinse or clean it, remove badly affected tissue and use a treatment labelled for thrips if they are confirmed.
• Webbing, cottony material or removable shells appear: Fine stippling with webbing suggests mites, cottony material suggests mealybugs, and removable raised shells suggest scale. Isolate the plant, confirm the pest, clean or remove it where practical and use a treatment labelled for that pest.
• Wet spots expand or tissue softens: Bacterial or fungal disease is possible. Isolate the plant, keep the leaves dry, remove severely affected tissue with clean tools and obtain a diagnosis before chemical use.

Philodendron ‘Florida Ghost’ 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.

How did Philodendron get its name?

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.