Philodendron nangaritense

Where Philodendron nangaritense grows naturally

Philodendron nangaritense comes from Zamora Chinchipe in southern Ecuador, including the Cordillera del Cóndor and Nangaritza area.

It grows in humid foothill forest and along rocky streams, with documented collections from roughly 870–1,140 m elevation.

Philodendron nangaritense care

• Light: Give it bright indirect or filtered light. Protect soft new leaves from strong midday sun.
• Watering: Water when the upper layer of the substrate has started to dry. In a broad pot, check the centre as well as the edges so the creeping stem is not sitting over a persistently wet root ball.
• Temperature: Keep it warm and stable. A practical indoor range is about 18–27 °C; avoid prolonged cold below roughly 16 °C.
• Humidity: Aim for around 60% relative humidity or a little higher. Steady humidity is especially useful while the coppery new leaves are expanding, and airflow should remain good.
• Substrate: Use a chunky, moisture-retentive aroid mix with plenty of bark, coco chips, pumice or similar coarse material.
• Container and repotting: Choose a broad pot and keep the creeping stem at the substrate surface. Repot before the growing point runs out of fresh substrate.
• Feeding: Feed lightly with a balanced houseplant fertiliser during active growth and reduce feeding when growth slows.
• Propagation: Take a section of creeping stem with at least one healthy node; a section that already has roots establishes fastest. Keep the node on or just above a warm, lightly moist, airy mix until new growth is secure.

Common problems with Philodendron nangaritense

• The creeping stem turns soft: Check whether the substrate stays wet around the stem. Dark, mushy or sour-smelling roots suggest rot. Stop watering and inspect the roots; see our root rot guide.
• Fresh leaves develop dry brown patches: Check whether the plant recently dried too far or received direct sun. Stabilise watering and move it out of harsh sun. Our brown leaf tips guide covers the main causes of dry brown damage.
• New growth develops silver scars: Inspect the newest leaves for thrips. Isolate the plant if you find them and follow our thrips guide.

Philodendron nangaritense 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.

Why is it called Philodendron nangaritense?

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.” The geographic epithet nangaritense means from Nangaritza and refers to the Nangaritza Valley in Zamora-Chinchipe, southern Ecuador.

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 nangaritense in 2021 in Aroideana, volume 44, page 430.