Philodendrons are an amazing group of plants, likely one of our favorites. The vast array of form, structure, and variation have us swooning every time a new variety hits the market. Why this extreme love of plants? Ease of care, adaptability of course. 

Philodendrons are a group of Aroids, members of Araceae plant family along with peace lilies, monstera, anthurium, ZZs, and many more. Learning about plant families helps us generalize plant characteristics and care. What applies to one, might apply to most. Aroids are easily identified by their flower or inflorescence. Each is made up of numerous tiny flowers clustered along a spadix which is found within a curved, leaf-like spathe. Many aroids are understory plants that tolerate low light in nature and can easily adapt to the less intense light in our homes. Many have waxy leaves which prevent water loss through leaf tissue and waxy roots which prevent unnecessary water absorption. 

Philodendrons are primarily epiphytes meaning they grow attached to other plants gathering water and nutrients from the air. Some start their lives by germinating in the canopy of trees gathering sunlight then eventually extending downward using their aerial roots to gather moisture from the soil. Others will germinate towards the base of a tree growing upwards to maximize light exposure ultimately getting rid of their subterranean roots. Growth towards light is called phototropism. When philodendrons originate on the ground, they use a strategy called scototropic growth in which they extend their stems creating long, thin internodes until they find a tree they’d like to attach to. 

The leaves of philodendrons are why we obsess. Most philodendrons have juvenile and adult leaf forms. In most species, juvenile leaves start out heart shaped. As the plant ages leaves emerge larger and in their mature, adult form. Possible triggers for this transition are light and fertility. Philodendrons that grow down experience a burst in fertility as they reach the nutrients on the forest floor while philodendrons that grow up experience increased exposure to light. Leaf size and shape can even vary between plants of the same species making it hard to identify unique varieties in nature. 

Cross pollination of philodendrons in their natural habitat and therefore new and unique varieties is difficult to achieve as each species has a very specific bloom time and relationship with beetles, their partner in pollination. It’s rare for more than one species of philodendron to be blooming at the same time and rare for the same beetle to provide movement of pollen. Finding philodendron hybrids in nature is quite uncommon. 

Philodendrons were first collected for cultivation as early as 1644 by a German naturalist and astronomer. Documented hybridization of a philodendron dates back to 1877 in Florence, Italy. Since that's time, philodendron hybrids have been created to increase human appeal through new form, leaf shape, color, variegation, disease resistance, and ease of care. The first hybridized philodendron in the United States occurred in 1936 and was a cross between P. hastatum and P. erubescens. Ever heard of ‘MColley’s Finale’? Well, that guy developed the orange, yellow, and red varieties of philodendrons through his breeding program at Bamboo Nursery in Apopka, Florida. If you really want to nerd out, check out this paper about the Assessment of Genetic Relationships among Philodendron Cultivars using AFLP Markers. The findings were “able to position 43 Philodendron cultivars into five clusters…or five groups, arborescent, goeldii, self-heading, semi-vining, and vining types of cultivated ornamental foliage.” What type of philodendron lover are you?!