Philodendron Giganteum is a massive plant and is one of the largest Philodendron varieties. It’s considered easy-to-care-for, and its beautiful green leaves (that kind of look like elephant ears) can turn a home into a lush jungle.
In this post, we’ll go through the Giant Philo care guide in greater depth so that you may confidently grow this splashy plant.
We also will provide various options for you to buy a Philodendron Giganteum.
Table of Contents
What Is Philodendron Giganteum?
The Philodendron Giganteum, also known as Giant Philo, is a perennial known for its lustrous green and impressive size. This massive plant from the Araceae family has large heart-shaped leaves that are a rich splashy green.
Origin And Family
Philodendron Giganteum belongs to the Philodendron genus and is part of the Araceae family. Natively, it’s from the forests and swampy regions of the Caribbean Islands.
This Philodendron plant prefers high humidity and bright indirect light, but it can tolerate low light conditions.
Similar Plants
In love with Giant Philo? It’s one of several Philodendrons. Here are some of my favorites, including growing guides:
Philodendron Moonlight: The leaf of this chartreuse-green plant unfurls in a luminous white like the moon before becoming green, earning it the name. Because of its rich hues, this plant is bound to brighten up any indoor space.
Philodendron White Knight – This is a stunning and very unusual plant that should be the highlight of any indoor grower’s collection. It’s all the rage these days, so it’s pretty pricey, but seeing its white-splashed foliage is worth every dollar you’ll spend.
Philodendron Lemon Lime: You can easily recognize this tropical house plant by its strikingly vibrant leaves. Its trailing foliage comes in shades of bright yellow to chartreuse. Feast your eyes on this brightly-hued and beautiful accent plant, as it’s also known to reduce anxiety and stress.
Philodendron Prince of Orange – The name of this bright plant comes from the wonderfully colored leaves that unfold in a rich orange-bronze color that gradually becomes salmon as the plant grows larger.
Where To Buy
We buy quite a lot of these Philodendron plants from Etsy, and there are some Giganteum options. We get the advantage of getting a good deal, and it’s delivered directly to our house!
How Big Does Philodendron Giganteum Grow?
The Philodendron Giganteum grows to about eight feet tall as a houseplant and grows to about three feet wide, and the leaves themselves can grow up to five feet long. This stunning perennial prefers to be placed in any low-light room and is considered a fast grower.
Is Philodendron Giganteum Rare?
While Philodendron Giganteum is not particularly rare, some variegated versions are highly sought after.
How Do You Care For Philodendron Giganteum?
When properly cared for, your Philodendron Giganteum will quickly grow to a massive size. The Giant Philo, which adores humidity, wants relatively dry soil throughout the year.
Most gardeners recommend watering this huge plant when the top two inches of soil are dry and allowing ample time for the water to drain out of the pot’s drainage hole.
Similarly, this attractive plant needs strong indirect light to grow, although it can survive low light circumstances.
For more particular guidance, see the detailed care instructions below.
| Care Type | Care Specifics |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Philodendron Giganteum |
| Common Name | Giant Philo, Elephant Ears, Giant Philodendron |
| Plant Family | Araceae |
| Origin | the Caribbean islands |
| Plant Type | perennial |
| Leaf Shape | heart-shaped |
| Leaf Color | rich green |
| Recommended Home Placement | in any low-light room |
| Growth Rate | fast |
| Light | bright indirect light but it can tolerate low light conditions |
| Soil | organic potting soil |
| When To Water | Water When the top two inches of the soil are dry. |
| When To Fertilize | every other week during growing season |
| Preferred pH | 5.5 and 6.5 |
| Humidity Range | 60% or higher |
| Toxic To Pets? | Yes - symptoms include burning and swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, and throat, as well as severe stomach pain when swallowed |
| Common Pests & Diseases | fungus gnuts, white flied, scale insects, aphids, mealy bugs |
Care Difficulty
In terms of care difficulty, the Philodendron hederaceum is easy-to-care-for, needing bright indirect light, but it can tolerate low light conditions and organic potting soil.
Potting
You’ll need to use a large pot for this plant. When choosing potting material, it will likely be okay to use terracotta or clay as long as it’s strong enough to hold this giant plant. One of the most important features is that it contains at least one drainage hole so that excess water may run out of it.
Repot your Philodendron Giganteum every two to three years, or when the upper leaves become top-heavy and the roots cover the container. When this occurs, carefully remove the plant from its container and go to a larger option.
Replant your Giant Philo into a new bigger pot, ensuring there is enough space for your Giant Philo to fill.
Soil
The Giant Philo needs well-draining potting soil. If you are going to make your own, we recommend that it has perlite, peat moss, mulch or sterile compost, orchid bark. Remember, you want a growing medium that supports Giganteum’s relatively dry growing needs.
A quality, well-draining soil type is a good option for this easy-to-care-for plant.
Here are some potting mixes we recommend:
pH
For this Giant Philo, you’ll need a soil pH of roughly 5.5 and 6.5, which is neutral to acidic. If you’re concerned about pH, you may check your soil with a simple online pH test.
You won’t need to adjust your pH for this plant most of the time, assuming you’re using a commercial potting soil. That said, if your pH needs adjusted, check out this guide to raising and lowering acidity.
Water
Proper watering is essential for this large Philodendron. If you use too much, you risk causing diseases like root rot, and if you use too little, your plant may suffer injury or possibly die. In general, Giant Philo should have a growing medium that is relatively dry, so give it enough time to dry out before you water this impressive plant. This is a bit different than most of the Philodendrons, which usually like a medium that’s a bit moist.
There is a simple way to determine whether or not your Elephant Ears need to be watered. Insert your finger in the pot and, when the top two inches of soil are dry, it’s time to water your Elephant Ears.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – drainage holes are your friend. Make sure this plant can release excess water as needed. Not doing this is a certain way to get root rot.
Light
This massive houseplant prefers bright indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions. It requires approximately 70-85% sunlight a day, and too much bright light and its foliage may get burned. If you don’t have enough light, its vast green leaves may lose some color, and its growth will slow down.
If you’re worried your Philodendron Giganteum or other house plants aren’t getting enough light, you may need to move it closer to a window – change window – or consider using artificial lights. Here are some basic options for you to consider.
Fertilizer
A general houseplant fertilizer is ideal for the Philodendron Giganteum. NAME SPECIFIC FERTILIZER, for example, would work. Feed the plant every other week during the early spring and summer season.
In the winter months, you don’t need to fertilize at all. Simulate the nutrients Giant Philo would typically obtain from the tropical region of the Caribbean islands, many of which are available in the soil. Read about this plant’s potting soil requirements in the section above.
Propagating Philodendron Giganteum
It is possible to propagate a Giant Philo with the right methods. However, it is not an easy one to propagate. You can propagate this huge house plant during its growing months through stem cuttings, but the success rate may be lower as this Giant Philo is not very keen to grow alone.
Stem Cuttings In Soil
Philodendron Giganteum may be propagated by rooting tip cuttings in soil. If you don’t already have a plant for propagation, consider purchasing one on Etsy, Craigslist, or even Facebook Marketplace.
It would be beneficial if you propagate Philodendrons throughout their growing season.
Here’s a great video showing you how to do this:
Temperature
Warm conditions are desirable for your Giant Philo, and the optimal temperature range for this plant to grow is 55–80 degrees Fahrenheit. They do, however, like a consistent temperature, so keep them away from vents that may let cool air in.
The requirements for temperature and humidity are frequently intertwined. In addition, make a point of reading over the section on humidity.
Humidity Needs For Giganteum
When considering humidity levels for your Philodendron Giganteum, keep in mind that you’re attempting to replicate the forests and swampy regions of the Caribbean islands.
This Philodendron is a lush plant that prefers a high humidity of 60% or higher.
If you’ve tested your humidity and find that it’s low – or might be better – consider using a humidifier or transferring your plant to a naturally humid environment.
Toxicity
The Philodendron is toxic to both people and animals, and it includes calcium oxalate (like all Philodendrons), which is known to induce the following adverse effects if consumed: burning and swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, and throat, as well as severe stomach discomfort when swallowed.
It’s also known to cause skin irritation, so to be perfectly safe, use gloves if you need to touch this Giant Philodendron. While typically not considered life-threatening, you should always call your vet/doctor if a loved one has ingested this plant.
I impulse bought this Philodendron giganteum ($30 for these big chonky leaves, how could I not?) In looking up care info the second picture came up. I think I'm going to be on trouble one day lmao pic.twitter.com/u1BuDwbhQx
— Chriggs (@hortichriggs) June 6, 2021
Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems
Even with expert care, things can go wrong from time to time. Common pests, diseases, and general problems pop up now and again. As a whole, the Philodendron Giganteum is not a disease and pest-resistant plant, but it has a few more common issues than others.
Review these tips for diagnosing common problems and discovering ways to return your Giant Philo to a healthy condition in the following sections.
Fungus Gnats
The larvae of fungus gnats can devour your Philodendron roots, but the gnats themselves are pretty harmless. The problem is that they lay eggs in the damp soil.
If you see these gnats, you should begin by reducing your watering. Not enough to harm the plant, but sufficient to increase the time between waterings.
If the problem persists, mix one cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide with four cups of water and spray it over the dirt.
White Flies
Whiteflies, which are gnat-like insects that feed on plant sap, may be drawn to the Philodendron Giganteum. They’re inconvenient, and they lay eggs on the tops of your leaves, which hatch into larvae that devour the undersides of your leaves.
The usage of a pesticide may help whiteflies. You may buy one online or create one for yourself following the recipe below.
Recipe for Homemade Whiteflies
- Five drops of dish soap – make sure it doesn’t include bleach!
- 1 cup olive or vegetable oil
- To make your base, combine all of the ingredients in a cup.
- Shake 1.5 teaspoon of solution per cup of water before adding to the spray bottle.
Make sure to spray beneath the affected plant’s leaves.
Philodendron Giganteum…Putting him outside too this summer to see how big he gets. Mine has four leaves pic.twitter.com/YEMw6lShsj
— SharonSisterUpstairs #VoteNewBlueON/PPC (@Sharon75571311) May 14, 2021
Scale Insects
Scale insects may appear as lumps on the stems or branches of a Philodendron Giganteum. The minor bugs, which appear in green, gray, brown, and black hues, generally remain on to a plant once attached.
If your infestation isn’t too bad, you may apply a teaspoon of neem oil in four cups of water to deter new scale insects from attacking this colorful houseplant.
While neem oil and other horticultural oils do not kill everything, they cause some harm. There are a variety of pesticide sprays for Giant Philo and gardens that are considered safe for treatment.
Aphids
Aphids can consume the leaves, causing them to become black and brown.
To cure aphids, use an insecticidal soap or neem oil, or make your own with a dish detergent like Ivory Liquid. Look for a product devoid of perfumes and other potentially harmful components.
Combine the soap and water (starting with one teaspoon per gallon and increasing as necessary). Spray the plants thoroughly, giving special care to the undersides of the leaves.
Mealybugs
Your Philodendron Giganteum may be infested with mealybugs. If you locate these microscopic parasites, distinguished by white “fluff” on the stems, you must treat them fast before they spread. Begin by soaking a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol. Rub this on the Giant Philo’s heart-shaped deep green leaves and stem to eliminate any visible pests.
Take a cup of rubbing alcohol and a teaspoon of fragrance-free dish soap and combine them in a spray bottle with water.
Spray it on the Elephant Ears twice a week until the mealybugs disappear.
Neem oil can also be used as a preventative spray.
Conclusion
With its lustrous rich green heart leaves, the Philodendron Giganteum is an excellent choice for plant lovers.
It’s easy-to-care-for, needing bright indirect light (but can tolerate low light conditions), high humidity, relatively dry soil, and warm temps.
So if you’re looking for a new addition to your collection or are just getting started as an indoor gardener, take these instructions to get started growing Philodendron Giganteum today!
beautiful plant, good article about Philodendron Giganteum.
Thanks for these tips. I bought one of these a couple of months ago and had no idea how fast it would grow and how gigantic it would get. Holy wow! I have to repot this monster and am going to have to have a friend help me. It only had 4 leaves when I bought it. It has been living outside in a very warm and humid climate and apparently VERY much likes it!
I purchased one of these lovelies but it appears to have a fungus. I have yellow spots on some leaves and have treated it with a copper spray. So far the new leaves are looking good. Any suggestions on what I should do?
Sorry to hear about the fungus on your Philodendron Giganteum. Yellow spots on leaves can be caused by various fungal or bacterial infections, as well as other issues such as nutrient deficiencies or pest infestations.
It’s good to hear that the new leaves look healthy after the copper spray treatment. Copper sprays can be effective against some types of fungal infections, but they may not be effective against all types. Additionally, copper sprays can harm some plants and cause leaf burn or other damage if overused.
To help prevent further fungal infections, it’s important to ensure that the plant has good air circulation and is not kept in overly moist or humid conditions. Avoid overhead watering and make sure the plant has well-draining soil to prevent water from pooling around the roots.
Suppose the fungus continues to spread or you notice any other symptoms, such as wilting or stunted growth. In that case, it may be necessary to treat the plant with a systemic fungicide or remove infected leaves or sections of the plant. Be sure to follow the instructions on any fungicide carefully and avoid overusing or applying it in excessive amounts.
In summary, it’s important to continue to monitor your Philodendron Giganteum for any signs of infection and to take appropriate steps to prevent further spread. If the issue persists or worsens, consulting with a plant specialist or local nursery for additional guidance may be helpful.