Philodendron Pedatum

Philodendron Pedatum

Philodendron Pedatum, Oak Leaf Philodendron

Philodendron Pedatum

Care Guide

  • These philodendrons do best in medium indirect light, and can tolerate low or bright indirect light.

  • These plants have average water needs — it needs to stay moist but not soggy, and never completely dry out. Typically watering once a week works well for these philodendrons. If it’s in lower light, it can be watered less frequently.

  • 65 - 85F is ideal, it cannot tolerate below 60F.

  • Philodendron Pedatum does extremely well in average household humidity, typically 40-50%. They can also be kept in higher humidity environments, but it’s not needed for these.

  • They need a chunky, well draining aroid mix that allows plenty of drainage but retains some moisture. I’ve found them to grow substantial root systems, and deeper pots seem to work well for these. They also greatly benefit from something to climb, either a moss pole, trellis, or even a nearby wall will work.

  • As with all Philodendrons, Pedatum contains calcium oxalates in its tissues, making it mildly toxic to pets and people if ingested.

Leaf Shape

  • Juvenile Philodendron Pedatum leaves are a light lime green to medium green, smooth in texture, and un-lobed.

  • As the leaves mature they become darker in color, develop deep lobes, and have a ribbed texture close to the central vein of the leaf.

Pedatum or Florida Green?

  • Altho they look similar, Philodendron Pedatum and Florida Green are different. Philodendron Florida Green is a cross between Philodendron Pedatum and Philodendron Squamiferum.

  • The best way to distinguish Philodendron Pedatum and Florida Green is by their petioles (the stem-like structure connecting the leaves to the stem).

    • Pedatum has smooth, green petioles.

    • Florida Green petioles have a slight bumpy texture, and can have some tinges of red.

Variegation

  • Although they look similar, Variegated Philodendron Pedatum and Philodendron Florida Beauty are different types of plants.

    • P. Florida Beauty is a variegated P. Florida Green, which is a cross between a P. Pedatum and P. Squamiferum. P. Florida Beauty typically has high variegation with plenty of big yellow or cream colored chunks. P. Florida Beauty petioles can be green or red in color, and have a texture of small bumps.

    • Variegated P. Pedatum has smooth, green petioles, and typically a more even yellow and/or light green variegation pattern. It’s less common that they have big chunks of variegation. Variegated P. Pedatum is much more uncommon to find than P. Florida Beauty.

  • Variegated Philodendron Pedatum has similar care needs to the non-variegated variety. The main difference is light, the variegated variety needs consistent bright indirect light to keep it’s pattern. Grow lights are highly recommended.

    Variegated Pedatums also seem to thrive in a little higher humidity, around the 65-75% range.