About
Philodendron ornatum is an evergreen climbing aroid of tropical South America and Trinidad and Tobago, admired for large glossy leaves that bear silver blotches when young.
Care at a glance
- Pet safety
- Toxic to cats, dogs and horses: insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause mouth pain and swelling, drooling, difficulty swallowing and, in cats and dogs, vomiting (ASPCA, for philodendrons). General guidance for the genus
- People
- Harmful if eaten: calcium oxalate crystals cause pain and swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue and throat; the sap can irritate skin. General guidance for the genus
- Light
- Bright indirect light; direct sun can scorch the leaves. General guidance for the genus
- Water
- Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged; overwatering leads to root rot. General guidance for the genus
- Humidity
- Prefers high humidity but adapts to average indoor levels; a humidifier or pebble tray helps in dry rooms. General guidance for the genus
- Temperature
- About 18–29 °C (65–85 °F); keep away from cold draughts. General guidance for the genus
- Soil
- Moist, well-drained mix rich in organic matter. General guidance for the genus
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings or layering. General guidance for the genus
- Hardiness
- Frost-tender; grown outdoors only in USDA zones 10a–12a, elsewhere as a houseplant. General guidance for the genus
“General guidance for the genus” marks advice sourced for the genus as a whole rather than this species.
Field notes
Morphology
Large glossy green leaves with silvery blotches in the juvenile stage; leaves, stems and flowers vary between cultivated forms.
Distribution & habitat
Tropical South America and Trinidad and Tobago.
History & etymology
Formerly treated as a synonym of Philodendron sodiroi.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- Trinidad and Tobago
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- Not recorded
- Temperature
- About 18–29 °C (65–85 °F); keep away from cold draughts.
- Humidity
- Prefers high humidity but adapts to average indoor levels; a humidifier or pebble tray helps in dry rooms.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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