Chinese Congo Philodendron

Chinese Congo philodendron (Philodendron 'Chinese Congo') is the indoor plant that looks after itself. It forms a self heading rosette of broad, glossy, deep green leaves to about 1m tall and 1m wide, filling a corner without climbing or needing a stake.

Why you'll love it

• Big, glossy leaves. Broad, high gloss foliage gives a room an established, planted look.
• It grows out, not up. Self heading means a tidy clump around a central crown, not a vine across the wall.
• Low maintenance by nature. Moderate water, indirect light, a feed in the warmer months. It forgives a missed watering more readily than most tropicals.
• Comfortable in humidity. Bathrooms, kitchens and humid northern rooms suit it.

Where it works best

Indoors, anywhere in the country. Inside, climate stops mattering: it works nationally despite being frost tender. Give it a bright spot out of direct sun.

Pots, balconies and courtyards. One plant in a 400mm decorative pot reads as a feature, indoors or on a covered balcony out of frost.

Sheltered tropical and subtropical gardens. Under a canopy it forms a lush low mass. Set plants about 1m apart.

Philodendrons are toxic to cats and dogs, and the sap irritates skin and mouths. Keep this one out of reach of pets and small children, and wear gloves when you divide or repot it.

Growing Chinese Congo philodendron in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light indoors, or partial to full shade outside. Direct midday sun scorches the leaves. Outdoors it suits tropical and subtropical gardens only.

Soil. Indoor potting mix with extra perlite or bark, in a pot with a drainage hole. In the ground, add compost and keep water moving away from the crown.

Water and feed. Water when the top few centimetres of mix feel dry, then empty the saucer: roughly weekly in summer, fortnightly in winter. Liquid fertiliser monthly through spring and summer, none over winter.

Pruning. Remove old lower leaves as they yellow and wipe dust from the foliage. Repot every second or third year, or divide the clump.

What to expect when it arrives

Three sizes are grown: 180mm and 200mm pots in packs of six, and single plants in 300mm pots. The packs suit landscapers and mass plantings; the 300mm arrives carrying a full rosette, ready to work as a feature.

Broad leaved tropicals do bruise in transit, so expect a bent leaf or marked edge and judge the plant by the crown, not the outer foliage. Keep it warm, bright and out of draughts for a fortnight. New leaves appear within four to six weeks in warm weather.

Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to keep your indoor plants alive
• Growing philodendrons in an Australian garden
• Browse the full indoor plant range
• Plants for rooms with limited light

Common questions

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

No. Like other philodendrons it contains calcium oxalate and is toxic if chewed, causing mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting. Keep it out of a pet's reach.

Can I grow it outside?

Only in tropical and subtropical gardens, in shade and out of the wind. It is frost tender, so in temperate and cool areas grow it in a pot that comes indoors before winter.

Will it cope in a dim room?

Yes, but it grows more slowly and the leaves sit further apart. Bright indirect light gives the best growth and the glossiest foliage.

Why are the leaf tips going brown?

Usually dry air or a build up of salts from tap water and fertiliser. Increase humidity, flush the pot every few months, and ease back on feeding.