Philodendron patriciae

Natural range and habitat of Philodendron patriciae

Philodendron patriciae comes from Colombia's Chocó region.

It grows directly on trees in very wet lowland forest at roughly 90–220 m elevation, in warm conditions with consistently high atmospheric moisture.

Philodendron patriciae care

• Climbing support: Use a tall plank or pole and keep the stem close to it. Leave clear space below the growing point so the leaves can hang freely.
• Light: Use bright indirect light, keeping the foliage clear of intense direct sun. Avoid strong direct sun on the long, relatively thin leaves.
• Temperature: For Philodendron patriciae, maintain about 18–29 °C and prevent extended chilling below 15 °C.
• Humidity: Target an ambient level of about 60–80%. Pair this with light air movement around the leaves. Steady humidity helps the long pendant leaves expand smoothly.
• Watering: Keep moisture reasonably steady and avoid letting the root ball dry severely while a new leaf is expanding. Water again once the surface has begun to dry.
• Potting mix: Use an airy aroid mix with plenty of coarse material. It should hold some moisture around the roots.
• Feeding: Feed lightly during active growth with a balanced houseplant fertiliser. Reduce or pause feeding when the plant slows down.
• Repotting: Repot when roots have filled the container or the mix is breaking down. Move the support with the plant where possible and protect the long hanging leaves while handling.
• Propagation: Root a vigorous node-bearing cutting, preferably one that already carries an aerial root.

Common problems with Philodendron patriciae

• A new leaf stays stuck: Check root moisture and humidity, then inspect the new growth for pests. Do not pull the leaf open. See our guide to stuck and deformed new leaves.
• Leaves become shorter from one growth to the next: Check how much filtered light the plant receives and whether the climbing stem has firm contact with its support. Reattach loose sections and improve light gradually if the spot is dim. Assess later leaves and inspect the roots if size keeps declining; check these causes before adding fertiliser.
• Silver scars appear on an opening leaf: Inspect the rolled leaf for thrips. Isolate the plant if you find them and follow our thrips guide.
• Brown crispy tips develop: Check whether the root ball repeatedly dries too far, the air is very dry or fertiliser salts have accumulated. Water the whole root ball when dry and let it drain. Move new leaves away from hot sun; if you see a salt crust, reduce feeding and flush only when water drains freely. The existing crisp tips will not turn green again.

Philodendron patriciae 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.

The meaning and history of Philodendron patriciae

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.” Patriciae honours Patricia Swope Croat, wife of the species’ author, Thomas Croat.

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 patriciae in 2010 in Willdenowia, volume 40, page 117.