Phyllotaenium lindenii (aka Xanthosoma lindenii)

Identity and natural origin of Phyllotaenium lindenii (aka Xanthosoma lindenii)

Phyllotaenium lindenii occurs naturally from Panama into Colombia, where it grows in wet tropical habitats from low elevations to about 1,030 m.

You may also see this plant sold as Xanthosoma lindenii. The older name Caladium lindenii still appears in horticulture as well.

Caring for Phyllotaenium lindenii (also known as Xanthosoma lindenii)

• Light: Give it light shade or bright filtered light. Use filtered light during the hottest part of the day.
• Temperature: Keep temperatures consistently around 18–27 °C and avoid prolonged temperatures below 15 °C.
• Humidity: Aim for 60–80% humidity with gentle, regular airflow around the foliage and crown.
• Water: Keep the mix evenly moist while new leaves are growing. Water when the surface begins to feel less moist, before the root zone dries, then let surplus water drain.
• Potting mix: Use a fertile mix that holds moisture and drains freely around the tuberous rhizome.
• Feeding: Apply a dilute balanced foliage fertiliser while new leaves are developing, using a moderate dose.
• Repotting: Repot when the rhizome and roots fill the container or the mix becomes compacted.
• Propagation: Established rhizomes can be divided into rooted sections.

Phyllotaenium lindenii problems and solutions

• Soft rhizome tissue or collapsing leaf stalks: Pythium rot can damage the rhizome. Cut away all rotten tissue to firm healthy material with a clean tool, discard the old mix and rotten material, and repot the healthy rhizome in fresh, free-draining medium.
• Small white insects flying from the leaves: whiteflies often gather on the undersides of the leaves. Isolate the plant, inspect both sides of the leaves, and use a product labelled for whitefly at the stated dose and repeat interval.
• Cottony clusters around leaf stalks and veins: mealybugs may settle in sheltered parts of the plant. Remove visible insects, use a treatment labelled for mealybugs, and repeat it at the interval stated on the label.
• Dry brown leaf margins: an unevenly dry root ball, very dry air or fertiliser salts can damage the edges. Keep the root ball evenly moist, maintain humid air around the leaves, and water thoroughly with plain water if salts are visible on the mix.

Phyllotaenium lindenii (aka Xanthosoma lindenii) 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 did the name change from Xanthosoma lindenii to Phyllotaenium lindenii var. lindenii?

Phyllotaenium joins Greek words for “leaf” and “band” or “ribbon”. Lindenii honours Belgian botanist and plant collector Jean Jules Linden.

Édouard-François André established the genus Phyllotaenium in 1872 in L’Illustration Horticole, volume 19, plate 88.

Édouard-François André first described Phyllotaenium lindenii in 1872 in L’Illustration Horticole, volume 19, plate 88.

The older name Xanthosoma lindenii is also widely used for this plant. Thomas Moore first described Xanthosoma lindenii in 1872 in The Florist and Pomologist, page 4. Kew’s World Checklist treats it as a synonym of Phyllotaenium lindenii var. lindenii.