Gloriosum Philodendron

Gloriosum Philodendron (Philodendron gloriosum) is the one collectors point at: broad, heart shaped leaves in deep velvet green, veined in clean white, held on a plant that stays under half a metre tall. It creeps sideways along the surface of the mix rather than climbing, spreading to about 1m over time, so it wants a wide shallow pot instead of a stake.

Why you'll love it

• Velvet leaves with white veins. The matte texture and bright venation give it a depth that glossy foliage plants never manage.
• It creeps, it does not climb. The rhizome runs horizontally, so there is no moss pole to build and no plant swallowing a corner.
• Compact for a philodendron. Around 50cm tall and 1m across at maturity, which is a genuinely liveable size indoors.
• Slow and stable. New leaves come a few times a year, each one larger than the last. This is a plant to watch rather than manage.
• Happy in humidity. Bathrooms, humid coastal homes and shaded courtyards in the tropics all suit it.

Where it works best

Indoors, nationally. It is frost tender, so inside is the reliable answer in every state. Bright indirect light, away from windows that get direct afternoon sun.

Pots and containers. Choose width over depth. A shallow bowl or trough 300mm or wider lets the rhizome run along the surface, which is how it grows in nature.

Feature planting. One plant on a low table shows the leaf surface properly. In tropical and subtropical gardens it also works as a shaded groundcover under a covered patio.

Growing Gloriosum Philodendron in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light, never direct sun, which scorches velvet leaves quickly. Outdoors it is limited to deep shade in tropical and subtropical gardens, and it has no frost tolerance at all.

Soil. A chunky aroid mix: potting mix with bark, perlite and a little coco coir. Keep the rhizome sitting on the surface with only the roots buried, because burying it causes rot.

Water and feed. Water when the top 3cm of mix is dry, roughly weekly in summer and fortnightly in winter, and never leave it standing in a saucer. A half strength liquid feed monthly through the warmer months is plenty.

Pruning. Only to remove old leaves at the base. When the rhizome reaches the edge of the pot, either move it to a wider one or cut a section with a growth point and roots to start a second plant.

What to expect when it arrives

This one is sold as tube stock. A tube is a young plant with one or two small leaves and a short section of rhizome. Expect the leaves to increase in size steadily with each new one rather than arriving full sized.

Velvet foliage marks easily, so an arrival leaf with a small crease or scuff is normal and not a fault. Keep it warm, shaded and lightly humid for the first month and do not repot immediately. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read our guide to indoor exotic plants.
• How to repot your plants covers moving it into a wider container.
• Browse the wider indoor plants range.
• Pair it with a pot or planter that drains properly.

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Like all philodendrons it contains calcium oxalate and is toxic to pets, causing drooling, mouth irritation and vomiting if chewed. Keep it up off the floor in a home with animals that chew foliage.

Why are the new leaves small?

Young plants produce small leaves and size up gradually as the rhizome thickens. Warmth, humidity and bright indirect light speed that along, while sudden small leaves on a mature plant mean too little light.

Should I plant the rhizome under the mix?

No. The thick creeping stem should sit on top of the mix with only its roots buried. Covering it traps moisture against the rhizome and is the most common cause of losing this plant.