Philodendron ‘Majestic’ (sodiroi × verrucosum)

Parentage and introduction of Philodendron ‘Majestic’ (sodiroi × verrucosum)

Philodendron ‘Majestic’ was released in 1970 from Philodendron sodiroi as the seed parent and Philodendron verrucosum as the pollen parent.

Neil Crafter supplied the cultivar name, inspired by the large foliage of mature plants.

Growing Philodendron ‘Majestic’ (sodiroi × verrucosum)

• Support: Give the lengthening stem a firm vertical surface and guide flexible aerial roots towards it without bending hardened roots.
• New foliage: Leave a soft new leaf untouched until it is fully firm because expanding leaves can mark easily.
• Light: Use bright filtered light and keep the dark foliage away from strong direct midday sun or hot glass.
• Moisture: Water once the upper part of the mix begins to dry and slight moisture remains deeper in the pot, then drain completely.
• Potting mix and airflow: Use a coarse mix with large air spaces. Maintain gentle airflow around the textured leaf stalks and expanding leaves.
• Temperature and humidity: Use 18–29 °C as the normal growing range and protect it from extended periods below 15 °C. Use 60–80% as the normal humidity range. Gentle airflow around the foliage helps moisture clear.
• Feeding: Feed with complete houseplant fertiliser at moderate strength during active growth and reduce applications when the plant slows down.
• Repotting: Give ‘Majestic’ a new pot once roots are tight or the supported plant has become unstable. Move ‘Majestic’ up one small pot size and re-fix its support so the plant remains steady.
• Propagation: Choose a healthy cutting carrying a node. An established aerial root is useful but not essential.

How to respond when Philodendron ‘Majestic’ shows stress

• A new leaf sticks or creases: See whether the soft blade is catching on the support, a wall or an older petiole. Create space and let it open by itself; pulling at the leaf can turn a minor crease into a tear
• Fresh growth develops pale scars with black specks: Inspect folded leaves and petiole bases for thrips. If you find them, isolate the plant, clean firm accessible foliage and use an indoor product whose label specifically lists thrips. Repeat the treatment at the labelled interval
• A tan patch forms on the side facing the window: Strong direct sun or heat at the glass can dry the leaf surface. Filter that exposure and leave firm damaged tissue attached
• The vine wilts although the substrate is wet: Stop adding water and check drainage. If the wilt persists, inspect the roots once. Preserve firm roots. Replace dense, waterlogged substrate and remove only roots that have softened, collapsed or developed a bad smell. The root-rot guide covers repotting after root damage

Philodendron ‘Majestic’ (verrucosum x sodiroi) 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 were Philodendron verrucosum and Philodendron sodiroi first published, and what do the names mean?

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.” Verrucosum comes from Latin verruca, wart, and means warty. Sodiroi honours Luis Sodiro, an Italian Jesuit priest and botanist who worked in Ecuador.

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 verrucosum in 1856 in Synopsis Aroidearum, page 85; Louis Mathieu had proposed the name.

Nicholas Edward Brown first described Philodendron sodiroi in 1883 in Gardeners’ Chronicle, new series, volume 19, page 510.