29 Fantastic Facts for Philodendron Pedatum Care

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What Is Philodendron Pedatum?

The Philodendron Pedatum is known to some as Oak Leaf Philodendron, Philodendron Laciniatum, and Philodendron Quercifolium. It is a tropical plant made famous for its unique foliage.

This perennial belongs to the Araceae family. Its deep green, oak-shaped leaves love humidity, specifically when grown indoors.

If you are in hardiness zones 9-11, you have the option to raise your Philodendron Pedatum outdoors too.

Often, this plant is mistaken as the Philodendron Florida Ghost. However, Philodendron Pedatum is a tall, hardy climber with broad, lobed leaves and smooth green petioles. The young leaves are lighter than the mature ones, ranging from brilliant green to deep blue-green, and can take on various forms depending on their age. 

On the other hand, Philodendron Florida Ghost is a shorter, more compact climber with lighter lobed leaves that are occasionally white or variegated and are more consistent in appearance but can vary somewhat.

Origin And Family

The Oak Leaf Philodendron is a member of the Araceae family and originates from the Philodendron genus. This variety of Philodendron is native to the rainforests of Venezuela and Brazil. Philodendron Pedatum has been a popular houseplant for many years now, especially in climates with high humidity levels.

This fantastic find was discovered in the 18th century, though it kept botanists confused for so long. It was found and named several different times because of its natural variations in appearance.

Because of its exceedingly diverse growth forms, botanists have confused Philodendron Pedatum for several different plants. Many databases still record Philodendron Pedatum’s basionym (actual scientific name) as Caladium Pedatum, as botanist Joseph Dalton Hooker once thought it was.

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Where To Buy

Philodendron Pedatum is available for purchase at a nursery or a big box home improvement store in your area. It’s usually a better idea to buy one on Etsy, though, where you’ll find more reasonable prices. Esty also allows us to buy directly from plant lovers who grow this variety in their homes.

Like many indoor plants, the Philodendron Pedatum’s reasonably affordable price ranges from $25 for young rooted plants to $60 for larger plants.

Philodendron Pedatum Plant Size

The Philodendron Pedatum reaches nine feet tall and one foot wide when mature (as a houseplant). It’s a low-maintenance plant that would be happiest near an east or west-facing window.

Philodendron Pedatum Care Needs

Your Philodendron Pedatum, like many other tropical plants, will thrive if adequately cared for. The Philodendron Laciniatum, with its unique foliage, likes to grow in relatively moist soil.

Your Philodendron needs to be hydrated after the top two inches of dirt have dried up. When watering, wet the pot entirely by allowing any water to run out of the drain hole. Similarly, this gorgeous plant needs bright yet indirect light to thrive.

For further details, please see the detailed care instructions provided below.

Care Difficulty

This Philodendron Pedatum is easy-to-care-for. Soil drainage and light exposure are the most important considerations for this beauty.

Growth Rate

The growth rate of a Philodendron Pedatum is fast, and it grows to about nine feet tall and one foot wide at a mature height.

During the growth season, you may control the height of this plant by trimming it to your liking. 

Repotting

Plan ahead and repot your Philodendron Laciniatum if necessary. Because Philodendron Pedatum spreads fast, repotting should be done every two to three years at the absolute least.

Replace the old material with new commercially available potting soil every year to keep your plants’ soil fresh in between repottings.

Potting

When repotting, you can go 3-4 inches bigger than the previous pot. When choosing the material, it’s preferable to use plastic, terracotta, or clay. Adding a moss pole is also a good idea as this plant likes to climb. 

A drainage hole is among the most essential features. Your Philodendron won’t like sitting in wet or soggy soil like most plants. If you leave your plant in water too long, it may suffer from root rot. And trust us, that’s not fun.

Soil

For the Oak Leaf Philodendron, a standard commercial potting soil is suitable. Use perlite, peat, sphagnum moss, and coconut coir fibers to make your own potting mixture! Keep in mind that Pedatum prefers a relatively moist growth medium, and your soil should accommodate this.

We recommend the following potting mixes for best results:

Regular, off-the-shelf potting soil should also allow for proper drainage, which helps to keep root rot and other diseases at bay. It’s a good idea to use well-drained soil or mix as this plant hates wet soil. 

pH

For this Pedatum, you’ll need a soil pH of around 5.5 and 7.0, which is neutral to acidic. This should not be a huge concern if you repot every two to three years, especially since ordinary commercial potting soil usually falls within this pH range.

If you’re concerned that the pH of your Philodendron Pedatum is too high, you can use sulfur or aluminum sulfate to decrease it. To raise the pH, the best way is to add calcitic or dolomitic lime, wood ashes, or baking soda if necessary.

Determine the soil’s acidity by doing a pH test. Whether online or at a garden shop, you can get an inexpensive testing kit.

Water

Oak Leaf Philodendrons are humidity-loving plants that need relatively moist soil throughout the year.

Water your plant once the top couple of inches of soil is dry. The pot should be watered until it reaches the bottom of the pot and the water flows out the hole. To prevent root rot, discard the water collecting tray.

There will be fewer watering needs throughout the winter months. Reduce the frequency but increase the depth at which you water your plants. 

Light

Like other philodendron plants, this houseplant prefers bright indirect light for approximately 8-10 hours a day. Too much light and its leaves will turn yellow or brown. Its stems will get leggy if you don’t provide it with enough light. Slower growth may be achieved under low-light settings. 

Because of its fragile leaves, which may quickly scorch in direct sunshine, it does not tolerate intense bright light. Keep your Philodendron Pedatum out of direct sunlight, which may harm or kill it.

Fertilizer

The Philodendron Pedatum thrives best with a fertilizer dissolved in water, and it’s possible to use the Ez-gro Liquid Fertilizer in this case. This plant needs to be fed once a month in the spring and summer.

In the winter months, you don’t need to fertilize at all. Simulate the nutrients Oak Leaf Philodendron would typically obtain from Venezuela and Brazil, many of which are available in the soil. Read about this plant’s standard potting soil requirements in the section above.

Propagating Philodendron Pedatum

It is possible to propagate an Oak Leaf Philodendron with the proper methods. Propagating this tropical houseplant may be accomplished in several ways.

Stem Cuttings In Soil

The most convenient way to propagate an Oak Leaf Philodendron is by cutting and planting. Seeds are sometimes available, but they might be challenging to find and start. Early spring before the growing season starts is the best time to propagate your plant.

1. Cut– Find a healthy section of the stem with new growth and at least one node. Cut this section using clean gardening shears.

2. Plant– Directly plant the cutting into sterile soil.

3. Maintain– Ensure the soil is always wet and that the air is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Cover– To trap humidity and encourage faster rooting, enclose your plant in a plastic bag.

5. Rotate– For even growth on all sides, rotate the pot every now and then.

Stem Cuttings In Water

To propagate Philodendron Laciniatum cuttings in water, follow these steps:

1. Cut– Cut a section from your plant about 4-6 inches in length. Cuttings that are too long might grow lanky.

2. Submerge– Let the cutting sit in a glass of water and wait for it to grow roots. To avoid rot, make sure to remove leaves below the water level.

3. Refill– Refill the glass with clean water every 3-5 days. For faster rooting, keep the plant nodes submerged.

4. Transplant– When the roots are long enough, transplant your cutting into a sterile potting mix. Moisten your plant frequently to help the roots transition into the soil.

i went to get my watch tightened today and came out with philodendron pedatum (i asked politely and they gave me the scissors) pic.twitter.com/Mc8eaLQhNB

— jake (@jacob_honn) May 4, 2021

Humidity And Aeration

Keep in mind that your Philodendron Pedatum is attempting to mimic the humid climate of Venezuela and Brazil while choosing humidity levels.

This beautiful climbing plant prefers a humidity level of 70% or higher.

If your plants have brown spots or brown borders, you may want to use a humidifier or place them in a location that has a higher humidity level naturally.

Temperature

Warm temperatures are preferable to this climbing aroid houseplant, thriving in an ideal temperature range of 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit. They do, however, like a constant temperature, so keep them away from vents and openings that may allow chilly air in.

Temperature and humidity are often related. Thoughtfully include the humidity section in your calculations. 

Toxic

This aroid plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that are highly hazardous to pets, including cats and dogs (and humans). When consumed, the following may occur: drooling, vomiting, seizure, diarrhea, and swelling of lips and throat. 

Regardless, plants like these are generally not considered deadly to adult human health.

Pests, Diseases, And Other Problems

The Oak Leaf Philodendron, like all plants, is prone to a few diseases, pests, and other common problems. Aphidium pedatum is not resistant to disease or pests as a whole. Tips for treating common ailments and ideas for keeping this popular plant healthy and growing are provided here.

Spider Mites

Unfortunately, spider mites are widespread, and Oak Leaf Philodendron is particularly vulnerable. Philodendron spider mite damage shows up as little brown or yellow spots on the leaves. Webbing is another possibility.

Start by spraying down your Philodendron Pedatum with water from a sink nozzle. The spider mites are essentially dislodged from the plant by this method. First, if that doesn’t work, you can use an insecticide oil like neem oil.

When it comes to lowering spider mite numbers, ladybugs may be able to help. There’s also something called the “spider mite destroyer,” which I know nothing about, but the name itself says everything!

Scale Insects

Instead of insects, Philodendron Pedatum’s scale insects may look like lumps on the branches. The tiny bugs, which can look green, gray, brown, or black, are hard to get rid of after they’ve attached themselves to a plant.

If your infestation isn’t too severe, four glasses mixed with a bit of neem oil will help stop fresh scale insects from attacking this popular houseplant.

Even if all the pests aren’t killed, some harm will be done by neem oil and other horticultural oils. Numerous insecticide sprays for Oak Leaf Philodendron are regarded as safe for treating this.

Mealybugs

The Philodendron Pedatum is prone to Mealybug infestations, particularly if you have many other houseplants. If you see white puffs on the leaves of your plants, take action immediately. A cotton swab soaked in isopropyl alcohol may be used to clean the leaves and stem of the Oak Leaf Philodendron. Also, as a preventive spray, neem oil is helpful.

Brown Leaf Tips

There are two possible causes for the browning of your Oak Leaf Philodendron’s dark green leaves: overexposure to sunshine or a lack of humidity in your house. 

Drooping Leaves

Mealybugs is known to affect the Philodendron Pedatum, can cause leaves to droop. Water and fertilizer overuse may be the root of some of these problems.

Yellow Leaves

Oak Leaf Philodendron plants may become yellow for a variety of reasons. The cause may be a shortage of sunlight or an imbalance in the amount of water in the environment.

Yellow leaves should be pruned to encourage new growth and prevent deterioration from spreading. Yellow leaves can also be unattractive. Using a pair of sterile shears, simply remove the leaves.

Root Rot

Root rot is a significant threat to Oak Leaf Philodendron. Indoor gardeners tend to overwater or not provide proper drainage for potting soil. These are the two leading causes of root rot. 

Monitoring water use is the most straightforward approach to keep Philodendron Pedatum from developing root rot. The primary cause of this problem is an excess of water. To avoid root rot, prevention is the best course of action.

My favorite Philodendron.

Philodendron pedatum.

Pretty lucky this isn’t considered a trendy plant, so I got it with a pre pandemic price last year from a buddy of mine. It was a smol boi then. pic.twitter.com/R5tGuWAtW6

— J Yeoh (@e_joshyeoh) October 31, 2021

Similar Plants

Love Oak Leaf Philodendron? If you’re interested in additional plants, we’ve put together a list:

Philodendron Florida Ghost: With leaves resembling tiny white flying ghosts, who wouldn’t be fascinated by this plant? Instead of being scared (boo!), be enthralled by how truly unique this plant is.

Philodendron Bipinnatifidum: This large, non-climbing, and semi-woody shrub is a bit of a controversial plant– partially because of how attention-seeking it is and how it’s called a philodendron but belonging to a completely different genus. If you’re interested, head to your nearest nursery and get your hands on this plant.

Philodendron Billietiae: Known for its unique elongated leaves and bright orange petioles, this cute plant, with an equally adorable name (Billie), is an excellent addition to any indoor garden.

Philodendron Bipennifolium: If oddly-shaped leaves entice you, then look no further. This plant is sure to entertain any onlookers as they try to figure out what shapes they’re seeing.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a popular plant that is low maintenance and with a bit of flair, the Philodendron Pedatum is a good option. Seeing the unusual greenery will be the reward for all your effort.

You can’t get enough of Philodendron plant guides, can you? Check out these great Two Peas In A Condo blog posts and see what else we have to offer!

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