• Photo of Philodendron selloum (Philodendron selloums)

Plant Profile: Philodendron selloum

Taxonomy: Philodendron selloum

Names

Lacy Tree Philodendron, Philodendron, Tree Philodendron

  • Photo of Philodendron selloum (Philodendron selloums)

Phonetic Spelling:fil-oh-DEN-dron SEL-oh-um

Genus:Philodendron

Species:selloum

Family:Araceae

The 'Tree philodendron' is a tropical species known for its large, striking leaves, commonly cultivated as a houseplant in temperate regions. While it can thrive in deep shade, it flourishes best in bright, indirect light and requires consistently moist soil. To prevent salt accumulation, it's advisable to flush the soil regularly or use distilled water for watering. This plant can also develop aerial roots that help it absorb water and nutrients.

CAUTION: Consuming large amounts can be toxic, leading to intense oral pain. Skin irritation may occur but is typically minor and lasts only a few minutes.

Philodendron selloum Feature Summary

Philodendron selloum Image Gallery

Tags

#poisonous
#houseplant
#perennial
#interiorscape
#large leaves
#woody
#spadix
#problem for cats
#problem for dogs
#problem for horses

Similar Plants

Philodendron selloum Feature Summary

Attributes
Perennial
Woody
Flowers
Approximately 15–20 years is required to produce flowers in an indoor environment. The small, petalless flowers are on a spadix that is enclosed within a spathe.
Leaves
The leaves are shiny dark green simple, large, deeply lobed, and attached to long, smooth petioles. They can be up to 4 feet long.
> 6 inches
Glossy
Smooth
Slippery
> 6 inches
Bark
The trunk is relatively thick and woody with characteristic “eye-drop” leaf scars.
Dark Brown
Light Brown
White
Poisonous to Humans
Intense burning and swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat, difficulty speaking. Nausea, vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea may also occur. Frequent contact with cell sap may cause skin irritation.
Calcium oxalate crystals and possibly other toxins.
Whole Plant Traits
Shrub
Tree
Poisonous
Multi-stemmed
Coarse
Cultural Conditions
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Landscape
Container
Patio
Houseplants
Pool/Hardscape
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses

Philodendron selloum Attributes

Philodendron selloum: Country Or Region Of Origin

Tropical America

Philodendron selloum: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Philodendron selloum Flowers

Philodendron selloum: Flower Description

Approximately 15–20 years is required to produce flowers in an indoor environment. The small, petalless flowers are on a spadix that is enclosed within a spathe.

Philodendron selloum: Flower Color

filter_vintage
White

Philodendron selloum: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Philodendron selloum Leaves

Philodendron selloum: Leaf Description

The leaves are shiny dark green simple, large, deeply lobed, and attached to long, smooth petioles. They can be up to 4 feet long.

Philodendron selloum: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Philodendron selloum: Leaf Color

spa
Green

Philodendron selloum: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Philodendron selloum: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Philodendron selloum: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Philodendron selloum: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Philodendron selloum: Leaf Feel

Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy

Philodendron selloum: Leaf Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long-lasting
Showy

Philodendron selloum: Leaf Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Philodendron selloum Bark

Philodendron selloum: Bark Description

The trunk is relatively thick and woody with characteristic “eye-drop” leaf scars.

Philodendron selloum: Bark Color

grass
Dark Brown
grass
Light Brown
grass
White

Philodendron selloum: Surface/Attachment

Bumpy
Exfoliating
Fissured
Furrowed
Lenticels
Papery
Patchy
Peeling
Ridges
Scaly
Shaggy
Shiny
Shredding
Smooth
Spongy

Philodendron selloum Poisonous to Humans

Philodendron selloum: Poison Symptoms

Intense burning and swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat, difficulty speaking. Nausea, vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea may also occur. Frequent contact with cell sap may cause skin irritation.

Philodendron selloum: Poison Toxic Principle

Calcium oxalate crystals and possibly other toxins.

Philodendron selloum: Poison Severity

High
Low
Medium

Philodendron selloum: Causes Contact Dermatitis

No
Yes

Philodendron selloum: Poison Part

Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems

Philodendron selloum Whole Plant Traits

Philodendron selloum: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Philodendron selloum: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Philodendron selloum: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Philodendron selloum: Texture

Fine
Medium
Coarse

Philodendron selloum Cultural Conditions

Philodendron selloum: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Philodendron selloum Stem

Philodendron selloum: Stem Color

grass
Green

Philodendron selloum: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Philodendron selloum Landscape

Philodendron selloum: Design Feature

Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree

Philodendron selloum: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Philodendron selloum: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Philodendron selloum: Problems

Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy