Light
Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux
Araceae
Philodendron simmondsii
- Curated selection:
Every plant is hand‑picked for health and visual appeal, so you receive a strong, well‑established plant.
- Representative photos:
Product images show a typical plant of this variety. Natural differences in leaf number, shape or variegation are normal, your plant will still match in type and quality.
- Size details:
Listed sizes refer to pot diameter (cm) and approximate overall height (cm) from the base of the pot to the tallest leaf or stem.
- “Get What You See” items:
If you are buying the exact plant shown in the photos, this is clearly stated in the size section.
- Individual photos:
One‑off photos are only provided when this is explicitly mentioned in the size section. - For special traits or small quirks, please check the full product description.
VAT included · plus
Your new plant has just travelled a long way and needs a calm start in its new home. For step-by-step unboxing and first-week care, check our after-delivery care guide. For deeper tips on how your plant settles in over the next weeks, read our houseplant acclimatization guide.
- Care basics , Main hub with links to all houseplant care guides.
- After delivery & first week , Unpacking, first placement, and early recovery.
- Light, How much light houseplants really need indoors.
- Watering , When to water and how to avoid root rot.
- Substrates & roots, Potting mixes and drainage for strong root systems.
- Humidity, When humidity matters and what actually helps.
- Fertilizing, Simple feeding routine without burning roots.
- Problems & pests, Yellow leaves, brown tips, bugs, and fixes that work.
- Semi-hydro, How to run low-maintenance mineral substrates.
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Care at a glance
Philodendron simmondsii
Watering
Water when ~30–50% dry
Substrate
Airy + fast-draining • Light moisture buffer • Bark-based • Medium-chunky
Temperature
Ideal: 18–29 °C • Avoid below: 15 °C
Humidity
Moist 50–60 %
Growth habit
Climbing hemiepiphytic herbaceous perennial.
Support
recommended
Growth speed
Average
Max size indoors
Max. height with support: 250 cm • Max. spread: 100 cm
Toxicity & safety
Toxic
Origin & habitat
Native to tropical America
Outdoor growing
Outside from 15 °C · sheltered spot
How to read these values
These care values are quick reference points for indoor growing. Use them as a guide, then adjust for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.
For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.
- Light: level and approximate lux at leaf level.
- Watering: “% dry” shows how far the substrate should dry before watering again.
- Substrate: structure, drainage, moisture retention, base material and particle size.
- Temperature: “Ideal” shows the preferred range; “Avoid below” marks the cold-stress threshold.
- Humidity: target range; steady conditions usually matter more than exact numbers.
- Growth habit: how the plant grows, such as upright, climbing, trailing, clumping or rosette-forming.
- Support: whether a stake, pole or trellis is needed, optional or unnecessary.
- Growth speed: expected pace under suitable indoor conditions; use as a guide, not a promise.
- Max size indoors: realistic long-term indoor size under good conditions.
- Toxicity & safety: irritation, toxicity or physical hazards such as spines or bristles.
- Origin & habitat: native range, hybrid background or typical habitat where relevant.
- Outdoor growing: when a potted indoor plant can be placed outside and what outdoor protection it needs.
Philodendron simmondsii – Climbing Form and Deeply Lobed Elegance
Why Philodendron simmondsii stands out
Philodendron simmondsii is a bold, high-climbing epiphyte with massive, triangular, deeply lobed leaves that bring a striking visual rhythm to any indoor space. The lobes – most prominent at mid-blade – curve with elegant precision and fade gently near the apex. Mature foliage can stretch over 80 cm in length, with sinuate margins that give each leaf a carved, sculptural look. The stems exude a resinous scent when disturbed, adding a rare sensory trait to this already impressive species. Reddish clasping aerial roots emerge at each node, and when in bloom, the contrast between the green outer spathe and the crimson interior is simply wild. This plant doesn’t just grow – it performs.
Key traits of Philodendron simmondsii
- Massive lobed leaves: Up to 82 cm long, triangular outline with 5 – 7 side lobes per margin
- Sinuate leaf edges: Most pronounced at mid-blade, fading near apex and posterior lobes
- High-climbing habit: Develops long internodes and thick, clasping aerial roots
- Color contrast in inflorescence: Crimson inner spathe with pale apex and a subsessile spadix
- Reddish veins: Primary lateral veins and basal ribs often tinged pink beneath
Natural habitat and growth behavior of Philodendron simmondsii
Native to lowland tropical rainforests of South America, this species grows as a scandent epiphyte, using trees to climb high into the canopy. The stem, up to 10 cm long between nodes, produces multiple aerial roots at each node, aiding in support and moisture capture. Indoors, it can climb over 2 metres when given vertical space and support. During its reproductive phase, stem growth slows and thickens while the plant focuses on flowering. Toxicity: Like all Philodendrons, it contains calcium oxalate and should be kept away from pets and children.
Philodendron simmondsii care instructions
- Placement: Provide vertical support and space for the leaves to fully unfurl
- Light: Bright, filtered light enhances leaf form and maintains compact internodes
- Watering: Keep soil lightly moist; allow top 3 – 5 cm to dry between watering
- Humidity: Prefers 60 – 80% humidity for healthy leaf expansion
- Temperature: Best kept between 20 – 28°C; avoid temps below 16°C
- Substrate: Use a well-aerated aroid mix with bark, perlite, and coir
- Repotting: Every 1 – 2 years or once roots begin circling the pot
- Fertilizing: Feed twice monthly with a balanced liquid fertiliser
- Propagation: Stem cuttings with a visible node root easily in sphagnum or water
- Hydroponics: Adapts well to semi-hydro setups once acclimated
- Pruning: Remove any damaged or overly long growth to encourage branching
Problems and solutions for Philodendron simmondsii
- Elongated internodes: Caused by low light – move to a brighter position
- Thrips or spider mites: Target young growth – inspect regularly and use neem or insecticidal soap
- Yellowing older leaves: May indicate underwatering or nutrient deficiency
- Slow growth: Normal in lower light or cooler conditions; boost humidity and warmth
Extra insights for growing Philodendron simmondsii
This species loves to climb – don’t leave it trailing. Support poles or bark planks help anchor the aerial roots and keep the internodes tight. The lobed margins will become more defined with maturity, especially when grown in humid, stable environments. Mimicking its native rainforest canopy conditions – diffused light, stable warmth, high humidity – will allow this plant to develop full-size mature leaves. You’re not just growing a plant here, you’re growing movement and form.
Etymology and classification of Philodendron simmondsii
The genus name Philodendron means “tree lover” in Greek (“philo” = love, “dendron” = tree), reflecting its climbing nature. The species name simmondsii honours a contributor or collector linked to its discovery. It was formally described by Simon J. Mayo in 1981 and published in Aroideana.
Order Philodendron simmondsii now for rare architectural growth
This isn’t your average climber. Buy Philodendron simmondsii today and let it transform your vertical space with sculptural leaves and tropical form.
Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.
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Philodendron simmondsii
Sale price€55,00
FAQs about Philodendron simmondsii – resin scent, aerial roots, and more dramatic lobing
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