Esmeraldense Philodendron

Esmeraldense Philodendron (Philodendron esmeraldense) is a large leaved climbing aroid from the wet forests of western Ecuador, grown for broad, ribbed, deep green leaves that hold their gloss year round. Trained up a moss pole in a pot it settles at about 2m tall and 1m wide, which keeps a big leaf plant in scale with a room. It is one of the easier rare philodendrons to keep, provided it stays warm and out of direct sun.

Why you'll love it

• Foliage with real presence. Long, heavily veined and paddle shaped, so one plant does the work of a whole corner arrangement.
• Genuinely low maintenance. Water when the top of the mix dries, feed through the warm months, and that is about it.
• It likes humidity. Bathrooms, kitchens and sheltered verandahs suit it, where drier loving houseplants sulk.
• A climber that stays contained. Given a pole it climbs neatly upward instead of sprawling across the floor.

Where it works best

Indoors, anywhere in Australia. Inside, the climate outdoors stops mattering, which is what a frost tender tropical plant needs. Give it a bright spot out of direct sun, a metre or two back from an east facing window.

Pots and containers. Outdoors it is limited to tropical and subtropical gardens: a sheltered shaded courtyard or under a verandah. Elsewhere use a pot you can move under cover before winter.

One caution. Like all philodendrons the sap and leaves are toxic if chewed, so keep it above floor level in a home with pets or small children.

Growing Esmeraldense Philodendron in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light or partial shade. Direct midday sun scorches the leaves; low light gives long, weak stems with small foliage. It is frost tender and slows once nights drop below about 10 degrees Celsius, so keep it indoors through winter outside the tropics and subtropics.

Soil. A chunky aroid mix of bark, perlite and potting mix. Ordinary mix alone holds too much water around the roots, and the pot must have a drainage hole.

Water and feed. Water thoroughly once the top 5cm of mix is dry, then let it drain rather than sit in a saucer. Liquid feed at half strength every four weeks from spring to autumn, and stop over winter.

Support and pruning. Tie new growth to a moss pole as it climbs, since the aerial roots need something to grip before the leaves size up. Cut a stem back above a node if it outgrows the space; the piece you remove strikes readily in water.

What to expect when it arrives

This one is supplied in 125mm pots as a pack of ten, so it suits an interior fitout or splitting an order with friends rather than buying a single specimen. Plants are young and rooted, with juvenile leaves much smaller than the mature foliage the species is known for.

Broad soft leaves crease more easily in transit than tough foliage, so a marked leaf or two is normal. Pot each plant up, keep it warm and humid, and expect a settling month before new growth. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, with a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Growing exotic plants indoors in Australia
• How to keep your indoor plants alive
• Browse the indoor plant range
• Compare other rare and exotic plants

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Philodendrons contain calcium oxalate crystals, which cause mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting if chewed. Keep the plant on a stand or shelf if your pet chews foliage.

How large do the leaves get?

Young plants carry modest juvenile leaves. With a pole to climb and steady warmth the foliage enlarges each season, and mature indoor plants hold leaves well over 30cm long.

Does it have to have a moss pole?

Not strictly, but without one it trails and the leaves stay small. Climbing is what triggers mature leaf size, so a pole makes the difference.