Philodendron squamiferum

Wet-forest origin and natural climbing habit

Philodendron squamiferum comes from the Guianas and northern Brazil, where it grows in wet tropical forest. Roots along the stem attach to trunks and other vertical surfaces as the plant climbs.

Growing Philodendron squamiferum indoors

• Light: Give it bright indirect light. Acclimatise it gradually to any gentle direct sun and protect it from strong midday sun.
• Watering: Water thoroughly once the top layer feels dry a few centimetres down. Let the excess run out freely and empty any water left in the outer pot or saucer.
• Temperature: Keep it roughly between 18 and 27°C. Do not let it sit below 15°C, especially when the substrate is still damp, and keep it away from radiator heat.
• Humidity: Aim for about 50–60% humidity. Keep it reasonably steady while new leaves open, and do not compensate for dry air by keeping the substrate constantly wet.
• Substrate: Use a loose aroid mix that holds some moisture but drains quickly, with plenty of coarse material around the roots.
• Climbing support: Give the stem a sturdy pole, plank or moss pole. Secure the stem itself and leave the bristled leaf stalks free to move.
• Feeding: Use a balanced houseplant fertiliser while new leaves are being produced, following the product label. Ease off once growth slows.
• Repotting: Move up one pot size when roots fill the pot or the substrate has broken down. Avoid jumping to a much larger pot.

Leaves, roots and pests to check

• Several leaves turn yellow while the substrate stays wet: Check how long the pot is taking to dry before watering again. If the roots smell sour or feel dark and soft, root rot may be developing. Let the mix drain and dry appropriately; our root rot guide explains how to deal with damaged roots.
• Small shell-like brown bumps appear on the stem, leaf stalks or leaves: Check whether they sit on top of otherwise smooth tissue and can be separated from the plant, rather than being its normal reddish bristles or flat scales on the leaf stalks. Sticky residue also points to scale insects. If you confirm scale, isolate the plant, remove accessible insects, apply a houseplant treatment labelled for scale and repeat it as directed on the label; our scale insect guide covers the full treatment sequence.
• Fine pale speckling spreads across the leaves: Turn the leaves over and inspect them closely. Moving specks or fine strands of webbing point to spider mites. Isolate the plant, rinse or wipe both leaf surfaces, apply a houseplant treatment labelled for spider mites and repeat it at the label interval until no live mites or fresh stippling are found.

Philodendron squamiferum 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 squamiferum: name and meaning

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.” Squamiferum means scale-bearing, referring to scaly leaf stalks.

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

Eduard Friedrich Poeppig first described Philodendron squamiferum in 1845 in Nova Genera et Species Plantarum, volume 3, page 87.