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4.6 out of 5 (74 experiences)


About Split Leaf Philodendron
The identity of this plant has been hotly debated amongst botanists until 2019, when it was declared part of the Thaumatophyllum genus. It has been known under many names, including the Split Leaf Philodendron (a misnomer shared with Monstera) and Philodendron selloum. Their flower stalk contains a set of sterile male flowers that produce heat. This heat amplifies smells that attract scarab beetles, which pollinate the fertile flowers! 🪲
Taxonomy
Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum
Thaumatophyllum
Araceae
Alismatales
Also known as
Philodendron bipinnatifidum, Philodendron 'Lickety Split', Philodendron Selloum, Philodendron Shangri La, Fruit Salad Plant, Lacy Tree Thaumatophyllum and Philodendron Millions

How to care for Split Leaf Philodendron

How often to water your Split Leaf Philodendron

every 9
Split Leaf Philodendron needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Split Leaf Philodendron in your home

a window
Split Leaf Philodendron may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Split Leaf Philodendron in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Split Leaf Philodendron

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Split Leaf Philodendron after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Split Leaf Philodendron is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
Water Needs
Split Leaf Philodendron prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Split Leaf Philodendron may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Split Leaf Philodendron is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.
Humidity
Split Leaf Philodendron doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
Soil
Split Leaf Philodendron does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Split Leaf Philodendron should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Native Region
Split Leaf Philodendron is native to Tropical South America.
Flowers
Yes, you may see your Split Leaf Philodendron bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
Growth Pattern
Split Leaf Philodendron is a naturally climbing plant and can be trained to climb indoors if you provide a moss pole or trellis. The newest growth will emerge from the end of the stems.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Split Leaf Philodendron can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Split Leaf Philodendron can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.
Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Split Leaf Philodendron, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.
Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!
Care Summary for Split Leaf Philodendron
Split Leaf Philodendron
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 3ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say












I found this split leaf philo as a grocery store plant. It was looking overgrown in a 6 inch-ish pot, so I took it home & put it into something more appropriate. It’s been maybe about 2 years, and I’ve had to repot it twice- this time into one of the biggest pots I could find at the store, so I’m a little worried about what it will require next year. Either way it’s a good problem to have.. such an easy plant, that always seems happy & puts on new leaves quite frequently during growing season.
The aerial roots were definitely an unexpected surprise for me when I first started seeing them- from what I read they are primarily used by the plant for support, which makes sense. Because it grows so big, and the stalks/leaf shoots can get pretty tall- I’ve found this one can definitely benefit from being re-seated every time you repot it.







Oli, our split leaf philodendron, survived for years in a dark office with little care or attention. Now he is basking in sunlight and surprising us with new leaves weekly. In the office, all of his leaves touched the ground. Now he is more than 2 feet tall!








Large tropical plant with large lush leaves. We have had our split leaf philodendron for 18 years now we brought it back with us when we moved back to Colorado from Florida. Another one of our tropical plants that requires us to bring it outside in the summertime and bring it inside down to the basement under the grow lights in the winter time. Not really susceptible to pests like some tropicals that we have are. You probably noticed that a lot of the roots at the base of the plant are exposed, they are supposed to be exposed that way. Those exposed roots are how the plant holds itself up.









This guy can thrive outside down here in Houston! I lost it in the freeze and replanted one because I missed it so much! I was afraid it would be small forever but it is growing like crazy!!! I got nervous because some leaves at the bottom were turning yellow-brown and falling off but learned that that happens as they push new growth out! So don’t be scared!



