27 Must-Know Philodendron Bipinnatifidum Care Tips

What Is Philodendron Bipinnatifidum?

Philodendron Bipinnatifidum is part of the Araceae family and is also known as Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum, Lacy Tree Philodendron, or Philodendron Selloum.

It thrives inside near a south-facing window since it is considered a perennial. It’s typically known for large and unique foliage, making it a truly interesting houseplant.

This Thaumatophyllum plant is not necessarily just an indoor plant, and it may be grown outside in certain climates. To grow Philodendron Bipinnatifidum successfully outdoors, you need to live between hardiness zones 9-11.

Origin And Family

Philodendron Bipinnatifidum is a member of the Thaumatophyllum genus and the Araceae family. It originates from the rainforests of Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay.

You might be surprised to learn that it belongs to a genus that’s not Philodendron (despite its outdated name), and there’s a good reason. Recent DNA studies have found that this particular plant’s evolutionary lineage (along with other Philodendron plants) warrants treatment as a new genus separate from Philodendron. Hence the name of Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum. However, many gardeners still refer to it by its old common names.

Where To Buy

The Philodendron Bipinnatifidum plant may be available at your local nursery or home improvement shop, but don’t forget to check on Etsy and Icarus Plants as well.

The pricing of Philodendron Bipinnatifidum ranges from about $10 to $30-ish.

Click here to get 10% off your first order from Icarus Plants!

Philodendron Bipinnatifidum Plant Size

When grown indoors, the Philodendron Bipinnatifidum grows to a height of six feet and spreads to a width of eight feet. It grows at a fast rate and will thrive near a south-facing window.

Philodendron Bipinnatifidum Care Needs

Like any other houseplant, a Philodendron Bipinnatifidum will flourish if you give it proper care. The Lacy Tree Philodendron loves humidity and needs relatively moist soil throughout the year.

Water your Thaumatophyllum when the top two inches of the soil are dry. When watering, allow it to drain from the holes along the bottom of the pot. In regards to light, this lovely plant thrives in bright indirect sunlight.

To see the various tips, check the specific care guidelines below.

Care Difficulty

This Philodendron Bipinnatifidum is easy to care for. The most important considerations for this beauty are the soil and light requirements (outlined below).

Growth Rate

The growth rate of a Philodendron Bipinnatifidum is fast, and it grows to about six feet tall and eight feet wide at a mature size.

You can manage this plant’s height with proper pruning during the growing season.

Philodendron bipinnatifidum – W.Schott (1829)
🌿#araceae #philodendron #bipinnatifidum #guaimbe #manaca #imbe pic.twitter.com/GzqeaiP05n

— desanimada (@exhetera) December 10, 2019

Potting

Thaumatophyllum plants, in general, prefer a well-drained pot to avoid soggy soil. A large plastic, terracotta, or clay pot suffices. Even though it may seem obvious, make sure your pot has holes at the bottom for water to drain.

Philodendron Bipinnatifidum is one of the many plants that succumb to lack of drainage. Your plant’s environment should be conducive to its development rather than its demise. 

Repotting

As your Philodendron Bipinnatifidum grows and expands, you might consider upgrading from your current pot to a new pot on an as-needed basis. Typically, this will occur at least every two years because Lacy Tree Philodendrons grow quickly.

In between potting changes, you can refresh your plant’s old soil with something loamy and moist but well-draining to freshen up your Thaumatophyllum plant each year.

Soil

Unlike several houseplants, the Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum requires a loamy, wet, well-draining soil. We suggest including perlite, orchid bark, or Coco Coir when making your potting soil. It’s important to remember that Bipinnatifidum likes to grow in a somewhat damp medium.

Soil that drains effectively and has a high level of quality is ideal for this low-maintenance plant.

Here are some potting mixes we recommend:

pH

A soil pH of roughly 5.5 and 7.5, which is neutral to acidic, is required for this Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum. Buying a pH test online is an easy way to see whether your soil is acidic or alkaline.

If your Philodendron Bipinnatifidum’s pH is too high or too low, you can correct it with sulfur or aluminum sulfate, respectively.

Water

When watering this popular houseplant, you want to aim for relatively moist soil or potting mix. Put your finger in the dirt to get a better idea of how deep it is. It’s time to water your Thaumatophyllum when the top two inches of the soil are dry.

Sadly, overwatering is a leading cause of plant mortality in the home environment. When in doubt, Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum should be underwatered rather than overwatered. In addition, you should always choose soil that drains appropriately and a container with sufficient drainage to avoid overwatering your plants.

Avoid putting your Philodendron Bipinnatifidum in direct sunlight, as this could severely damage or even kill it.

Light

For ideal growing conditions, you want to simulate the native habitat of Philodendron Bipinnatifidum, which would be the rainforests of Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay. Because of this, you want to give your Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum bright indirect light for at least six hours every day, avoiding direct sun. The best way is to place this plant near south-facing sunny windows as this area is known to work well in most situations.

You’ll know your Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum is getting too bright of light when its leaves start appearing scorched. Stunted or leggy growth may occur if this plant is exposed to inadequate light or is located too far away from its light source.

Too much light may induce drooping and yellow leaves, although poor fertility can also cause these symptoms. You may learn more about fertilizer in the information below. If your Philodendron Bipinnatifidum has brown leaf tips, it may indicate that you aren’t supplying it with enough nutrients. 

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is a must for Philodendron Bipinnatifidum. You should use an organic fertilizer once a month throughout the spring and summer.

When growing naturally slows, you don’t need to fertilize at all in the wintertime.

Here are some organic fertilizer options you can use:

Propagating Philodendron Bipinnatifidum

A few simple processes and approaches may be used to propagate a Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum plant. Here are the best methods for multiplying this plant in your garden.

Stem Cuttings In Soil

Philodendron Bipinnatifidum may be propagated most easily by rooting stem tip cuttings in soil. Gardeners may purchase a cutting from Etsy or Facebook Marketplace if you don’t have your own plant for propagation.

We often propagate Thaumatophyllums during spring and summer, as this is when the plant is in its growing season, which is the best time to propagate all plants. You should choose a cutting in good condition and, if possible, that has just emerged.

A three-inch cutting with a few leaves and nodes is recommended. Make sure you’re using sterilized scissors for this step.

Put the stem nodes in a damp potting soil cup and compress the dirt around the Bipinnatifidum stem to keep the baby plant in place.

In the well-draining, loamy soil, there should be no hidden leaves. Keep your container moist by placing it near a window in bright, indirect sunlight.

New roots should appear on your Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum in around two to three weeks. 

Stem Cuttings In Water

Remove any blossoms and lower leaves, but leave the top two or three on the Philodendron Bipinnatifidum cutting. Branches that will be covered in water must be leafless.

Humidity And Aeration

When thinking about humidity levels for your Philodendron Bipinnatifidum, remember that you’re trying to emulate the rainforests of Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, and Paraguay. High humidity between 70%-80% will do the trick.

If you’ve checked your humidity and found that it’s low– or could be better– and especially if you’ve seen brown spots or brown edges, consider getting a humidifier or placing your plant in ideal locations with naturally higher humidity. If your bathroom has a south-facing window, that would be perfect.

Temperature

Warm temperatures are preferable for your Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum plant, thriving in a temperature range of 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keeping them out of drafty situations where they might be exposed to chilly air is the best course of action.

Requirements for temperature and humidity commonly overlap. Include the humidity section in your calculations.

Toxic

Unfortunately, the Lacy Tree Philodendron contains calcium oxalate crystals that are toxic to pets, including cats and dogs–– and people. You might expect to feel discomfort or a burning feeling, as well as swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, and throat if you eat the substance. However, the majority of the time, this plant isn’t regarded as deadly.

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

The Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum, like all house plants, is prone to a few diseases, pests, and other problems. In fact, I would say the Philodendron Bipinnatifidum is not a disease and pest-resistant plant. Here are some quick tips for curing common ailments and general suggestions for keeping this exciting plant healthy and thriving.

Spider Mites

Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum is very vulnerable to spider mites, an annoying but widespread issue. At first, small brown or yellow patches will form on the Thaumatophyllum’s leaves.

You might also notice your plant has stopped growing. And since spider mites are related to spiders, they produce webs, which is kind of gross. So be on the lookout.

To combat spider mites on your Philodendron Bipinnatifidum, start spraying it down with a sink nozzle. If that doesn’t work, an insecticidal oil such as horticultural oil can do the trick.

Ladybugs may be a natural alternative to pesticides if you’re seeking a more environmentally friendly answer. There’s also a bug that’s literally called the “spider mite destroyer,” so that could be an option, as well.

Looking up through the leaves of Philodendron bipinnatifidum 😍 @edenproject pic.twitter.com/rrpRZtUS2A

— Mark Matthews (@mark_hortic) March 12, 2021

Fungus Gnats

If you see abrupt wilting, yellowing, or poor growth in your Thaumatophyllum, it could be a symptom of fungus gnats.

These gnats are commonly seen fluttering around your plants. Adults resemble tiny mosquitos, but larvae have black, shiny heads and transparent bodies. They are common in moist, organic-rich soils.

The presence of gnats may indicate that you are overwatering your Philodendron Bipinnatifidum. Instead of watering when the top two inches of the soil are dry as directed, wait an additional two days before watering.

This method should kill some of the larvae at the soil’s surface. Similarly, various products have been shown to suppress fungus gnats. Another alternative is to top your potting mix with ‘diatomaceous‘ earth.

We used yellow sticky traps when we experienced these gnats on our hydroponics systems. They do a good job.

Scale Insects

Scale insects may seem like lumps on the stems or branches rather than insects. The tiny bugs, which can be green, gray, brown, and black, tend to remain after they’ve attached themselves to a plant.

Care for Light Infestation

A teaspoon of neem oil mixed with water might help keep scale insects away from your Philodendron Bipinnatifidum if the infestation isn’t too bad.

Neem oil or horticultural oils will cause heavy damage to these pests. As another option, consider predators that eat scale insects, such as the dreaded ladybug.

Don’t forget to clean your houseplants every now & then! Water marks, dust, etc can stop them from properly photosynthesizing, so give them a wipe down when needed. We used vinegar heavily diluted in water & a gentle cloth on this Philodendron bipinnatifidum. Rather satisfying! pic.twitter.com/LWjGdnWYK7

— Walworth Garden (@WalworthGarden) November 3, 2020

Aphids

Some aphids may damage the leaves and leave behind spots of black and brown.

You may use Ivory Liquid dish detergent as an insecticide to get rid of aphids. A product that doesn’t include any odors or other substances that might harm plants should be sought out. Dissolve the soap in a bit of water (starting with one teaspoon per gallon and increasing as necessary). When misting the plants, pay close attention to the undersides of the leaves.

Mealybugs

Your Philodendron Bipinnatifidum may also get infested with mealybugs. If you use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol and brush it over the heart-shaped leaves and stem of your plant, the bugs will fall off. Spraying Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum with neem oil and water solution may also be a preventative strategy. 

Yellow Leaves

Several factors can cause a Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum plant to become yellow. It could be that it doesn’t get enough sunlight or gets too much or too little water.

Pruning the yellow leaves can foster new growth and keep the disease from spreading. If you don’t like yellow leaves, you’ll want to avoid them. A pair of sterile shears is all that is needed to remove the leaves. 

Root Rot

Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum is often killed by root rot, a fungal infection in the roots. As a result of excessive watering and poor drainage, many indoor gardeners suffer from root rot. Any of these two methods may bring on root rot. There are no sure ways to avoid root rot and other diseases of plants.

Gardeners may mitigate Philodendron Bipinnatifidum root rot by closely monitoring the amount of water it gets. An overabundance of water is the primary culprit in this debilitating and frequently deadly disease.

Similar Plants

Love Thaumatophyllum Bipinnatifidum? To round out your options, consider more plants with similar appearances:

Philodendron Rio – This slender plant is beautifully variegated with pointy leaves and dense cream-colored foliage. Its unique appeal is what makes it a plant enthusiast’s favorite, not to mention its low maintenance care needs.

Philodendron Brandtianum – This unique tropical plant with olive green and silvery leaves is trendy among plant lovers due to its delicate beauty and versatility. It’s a great accent piece, may it be hanging or climbing.

Philodendron Giganteum – Looking to fill a gap in your garden? Then this giant and glossy-leafed plant is what you need. Its lustrous green large leaves fan out as it matures, making it an excellent landscape plant. It’s a definite must-have to add volume to any indoor (and even outdoor) garden.

Philodendron Painted Lady – The lady herself has neon green leaves that turn dark with bright green spots as it matures. Complemented with pink stems, it’s no surprise that plant collectors favor this hybrid.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for an extraordinary tropical plant with a bit of zing, the Philodendron Bipinnatifidum is a good option. The reward for your hard work will come in the form of awe-inspiring vibrant green leaves.

Can’t get enough of Thaumatophyllum plant guides? Check out these great possibilities from Two Peas In A Condo!