About
Philodendron squamiferum is an uncommon climbing aroid from northeastern South America, recognised by its five-lobed leaves and red, bristly leaf stalks.
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
- Toxic: calcium oxalate crystals cause pain and swelling on skin or mouth contact, and pain, swelling, hoarseness and difficulty swallowing if eaten.
- 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
Dark green leaves divided into five lobes, held on reddish petioles covered in small bristle-like scales that look hairy.
Distribution & habitat
French Guiana, Suriname and northern Brazil.
Cultivation notes
Grown as a rare houseplant.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- French Guiana, Suriname, Brazil
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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