Fun Bun Philodendron

Fun Bun Philodendron (Thaumatophyllum goeldii, still widely sold as Philodendron goeldii) is the aroid to choose when you want a sculptural plant rather than a leafy one. Each stem holds a whorl of narrow leaflets arranged like the spokes of a wheel, and the plant builds to about 1.5m tall and 1.2m wide. It is the sort of shape that carries an empty corner on its own.

Why you'll love it

• A genuinely unusual leaf. The finger like leaflets radiate from a single point, so the plant reads as architecture rather than as a green mass.
• It fills vertical space. At 1.5m tall it holds its own beside furniture without needing a plinth or a hanging position.
• Undemanding indoors. Bright indirect light, water when the top of the mix dries, and it gets on with it.
• It enjoys humidity. Bathrooms, kitchens and humid coastal rooms suit it, where drier loving plants sulk.

Where it works best

Indoors. This is the main use: a bright interior corner out of direct sun, in a living room, entry or office. Inside, your climate stops mattering, which counts with a plant this frost tender.

Pots and feature planting. Outdoors it needs a frost free garden, so tropical, subtropical and warm temperate only, in a shaded or filtered light position. A pot 400mm or wider gives it room and lets you move it under cover as the seasons change.

Growing Fun Bun Philodendron in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light gives the strongest stems and the tightest whorls. Direct sun through glass burns the leaflets, and deep shade produces long floppy stems that lean. It is frost tender, so cold gardens are for indoor growing only.

Soil. A chunky free draining aroid or indoor mix with bark and perlite through it. The pot must have a drainage hole. These roots need air, and a dense mix sitting wet is the most common way the plant is lost.

Water and feed. Water once the top 3cm of mix is dry, roughly weekly in warm weather and every two to three weeks over winter. Empty the saucer afterwards. Feed a half strength liquid fertiliser monthly through spring and summer only.

Pruning and support. Remove old leaves at the base as they yellow. Mature plants can lean under their own weight, so a discreet stake or a totem keeps the form upright, and the aerial roots will take hold of it.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 180mm pots, sold in packs of six, which suits a landscape or interior fit out more than a single houseplant purchase. Each plant arrives as an established young specimen with several whorled leaves, well short of the 1.5m mature height, which takes a few years of steady growth indoors.

Leaves may look tired after transit and firm up within a week or two in the right light. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Give it a fortnight to settle before expecting new growth. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read the philodendron care guide for watering and light detail.
• Browse the wider indoor plant range.
• Avoid the usual mistakes in how to keep your indoor plants alive.
• Find companions in tropical plants.

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Like all aroids the sap contains calcium oxalate crystals, which cause mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting if chewed. Keep it away from pets that nibble foliage.

Why are the stems long and floppy?

Not enough light. In dim rooms the stems stretch towards the window and cannot support the leaf whorls. Move it to bright indirect light and stake the existing growth while new, shorter stems come through.

How big will it actually get indoors?

Around 1.5m tall and 1.2m wide over several years, and less in a small pot. Repotting into a container one size up every two to three years is what allows it to reach full size.