Philodendron ‘McColley’s Finale’

Selection history of Philodendron ‘McColley’s Finale’

Cora McColley isolated ‘McColley’s Finale’ from a batch of Philodendron seedlings produced through the McColley breeding programme near Orlando, Florida. The seedlings came from crosses of unknown complex hybrid parentage.

The cultivar was patented in 2001 after it had proved stable through asexual propagation.

Indoor care for Philodendron ‘McColley’s Finale’

• Crown space: Leave room around the sides of the pot for the broad rosette; the short central growth is self-supporting.
• Light: Give the plant bright filtered light and protect newly opened chestnut-red leaves from intense direct sun.
• Watering and mix: Use a coarse airy potting mix. Water when the upper layer begins to dry, wetting the root ball evenly and letting the container drain before returning it to an outer pot.
• Temperature: A steady 18–29 °C suits the plant; sustained temperatures below 15 °C are too cool. Protect the plant from cold draughts, especially while new foliage is soft.
• Humidity: Aim for 50–60% humidity.
• Feeding: During fresh leaf development, feed moderately with a complete houseplant formula; then taper applications as the plant becomes less active.
• Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot when the root system has filled the current container. Use root crowding, slower drainage and loss of stability as the signals that the plant needs repotting.
• Propagation method: Use a rooted basal shoot or a stem section with an active node.

What to check on Philodendron ‘McColley’s Finale’

• A red leaf becomes green: This is the normal colour progression of the cultivar. Leave the care routine alone when the leaf stays firm and the centre continues to grow
• A soft new leaf develops a dry tan patch: Check for a direct sunbeam or hot glass near the affected side. Move the plant farther from that exposure and use later leaves to judge whether the position is gentler
• Lower leaves yellow and the pot stays wet: Hold the next watering and check that runoff is not trapped. If the plant continues to wilt, inspect the roots. Keep healthy firm tissue, refresh substrate that has become dense or waterlogged and trim only roots that have softened or smell foul before repotting

Philodendron ‘McColley’s Finale’ 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.

Philodendron: name and meaning

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.