Philodendron pastazanum

Pastaza valleys and stream cliffs

Philodendron pastazanum grows along wet valleys and stream cliffs, as well as in disturbed rainforest and roadside vegetation in Ecuador and Peru. Its horizontal stem grows along the ground.

Kurt Krause described the species in 1940 from Ecuador’s Pastaza region, which also gave the plant its name. Its range extends south into Peru.

Care for creeping aroid roots and foliage

• Leaf care and root care: Cut the rhizome into a piece that contains a living bud. A piece with established roots resumes growth more readily.
• Root care: Move the rhizome into a wider container before it runs beyond the pot edge; extra width is more valuable than extra depth.
• Light: Broad, sturdy leaves develop in bright filtered light, away from harsh midday sun.
• Watering: When the upper few centimetres are dry, water across the wide pot until the shallow roots are evenly moist, but leave the horizontal rhizome above the wet substrate.
• Humidity and airflow: Large leaves expand more reliably in moderate to high humidity. Airflow should reach their bases and the horizontal stem at the surface.
• Substrate: An open, moisture-retentive mix suits the roots, with the thick horizontal stem positioned at the surface.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Philodendron pastazanum

• Rot along the surface rhizome: The thick horizontal stem should stay firm at the surface. If it is buried, soft or foul-smelling, cut back to healthy tissue with a clean tool, renew the airy mix and keep the remaining stem uncovered.
• Quilted shield-shaped blades: The broad blade is naturally quilted and can look almost shield-like where it joins the stalk. Regular texture across the leaf is different from isolated blisters, pest scars or expanding wet spots.
• Old fibres: Dry fibrous remains around the stem are normal when firm and odourless. Remove only loose decaying material; wet, slimy or foul fibres signal that moisture has remained trapped.
• Persistent droop: A broad leaf may droop from very dry roots or from roots damaged in a saturated pot. Inspect the root ball directly and correct the actual condition; watering a rotten root system more often worsens the problem.
• Pests across shield-shaped leaves: Thrips leave black-speckled scars where a broad leaf was rolled. Mites create many smaller pale points across the mature underside. Scan the shield-shaped blade in overlapping sections, keep the plant away from nearby plants and treat every affected area with a product intended for the pest.
• Brown edges: Direct sun, salt accumulation and uneven root moisture can dry the margins. Remove strong exposure, water the wide pot evenly and flush the mix if fertiliser residue is likely.

Philodendron pastazanum 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 the name Philodendron pastazanum came about

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.” The epithet pastazanum is geographic and means from Pastaza.

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

Kurt Krause first described Philodendron pastazanum in 1940 in Notizblatt des Botanischen Gartens und Museums zu Berlin-Dahlem, volume 15, page 42.