Philodendron findens – Philodendron Findens
Philodendron findens is one of the lesser-known representatives of the genus Philodendron - the second-largest genus in the arum family (Araceae), comprising more than five hundred described species. The plant was formally described in 1997 by Thomas B. Croat and Michael H. Grayum in a monograph on Central American philodendrons published in the Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden. It belongs to the Philodendron section, and its close relatives include Philodendron pterotum, from which it differs primarily in its splitting leaf margins and blades that turn black when dried.
It is a climbing hemiepiphyte of the humid tropical forests of Costa Rica, Panama and western Colombia. It has only recently begun appearing in houseplant collections and is still considered rare, although its large, glossy, irregularly torn leaves make it one of the most distinctive plants among large-leaved aroids. The following article compiles the available botanical information about the species, along with cultivation guidelines for Europe's temperate climate.
Botanical description and plant habit
Philodendron findens grows as a climber attached to a support. The stem is medium green and glossy, with internodes 4–9 cm long and 2–4 cm in diameter; when cut, it releases a watery sap with a spicy scent. Adventitious roots emerge from the nodes, allowing the plant to attach itself to tree bark. New leaves emerge from protective cataphylls, rolled scales that dry up and fall off once the leaf blade has unfurled.
The petioles are impressive - usually measuring 43–119 cm, exceptionally from 25 cm - and have a sharply D-shaped cross-section with a thin, raised wing along the edge. The leaf blades are large, ovate-cordate, slightly leathery, 40–76 cm long and 28–70 cm wide. The anterior lobe reaches 18–58 cm in length, while the posterior lobes, which form the heart-shaped base, measure 11–32 cm. The upper surface is dark green and glossy, while the underside is noticeably lighter, creating a bicoloured effect. The species' most distinctive feature is the blade margin, which splits between the first-order lateral veins in mature leaves, making the leaf appear almost pinnately divided. Dried herbarium leaves turn black to a dark reddish-brown shade - a diagnostic feature noted by the authors of the description.
Growth rate and development
Like most climbing philodendrons, this species undergoes a distinct change in appearance throughout its life. Seedlings and young plants produce small, entire, heart-shaped leaves on short petioles and grow in the forest's ground layer, seeking a tree trunk. Once they encounter support and begin climbing, the internodes thicken, the leaves become larger with each successive one, and their margins begin to split. This transition from the juvenile to the mature form is governed primarily by access to light and the opportunity for vertical growth, rather than by age alone.
In cultivation, the growth rate is moderate to fast, provided the plant has consistently warm conditions and high humidity. A plant growing on a moss pole in a warm room can produce several leaves during the growing season, each slightly larger than the previous one. Low humidity or a lack of support slows growth, and the leaves remain small and entire. Philodendrons are long-lived plants - specimens in botanical gardens and private collections grow for decades, regularly rejuvenated by pruning and rooting the stem tips.
Flowering and propagation
The inflorescence of a philodendron has the typical structure of the arum family: a spadix made up of hundreds of tiny flowers is surrounded by a spathe. In Philodendron findens, two inflorescences develop in the axil of each leaf, on peduncles 4–15 cm long. The spathe measures 13–23 cm; its exterior is medium to pale green, its interior is greenish white, and its tube is red inside. Female flowers occupy the lower part of the spadix, male flowers the upper part, with a zone of sterile flowers between them. The ovary has 5–6 locules, each containing 15–22 ovules. In the wild, flowering has been observed in May and July, but records of specimens found after flowering and with fruit in various months suggest a longer flowering season.
The fruit is an irregularly quadrangular berry about 3.5–4.2 mm in diameter, containing one or two seeds per locule - approximately 17 seeds in total. According to the authors of the description, ripe fruits smell like kiwifruit, attracting animals that disperse the seeds. In cultivation, the plant is propagated mainly vegetatively by rooting stem cuttings with at least one node and an adventitious root in moist moss or perlite. Flowering indoors is very rare and occurs only in large, mature specimens.
Environmental requirements and tolerance
The natural range includes the Atlantic slopes of Costa Rica and Panama, as well as the Valle del Cauca department in western Colombia. The species has been recorded from sea level to about 1400 m above sea level, and in Colombia between 900 and 1180 m, in tropical wet forest, premontane rainforest and, less commonly, premontane wet forest. The type specimen was collected near the Fortuna Dam in Panama's Chiriquí Province at an elevation of 1080 m. The plant usually grows as a hemiepiphyte on tree trunks, less commonly as a terrestrial plant on steep, shaded slopes.
These conditions mean year-round warmth (usually 18–28°C), very high air humidity, abundant rainfall and filtered light beneath the forest canopy. The species has low tolerance for cold: temperatures below 12–15°C stop growth, while around 5°C causes damage. The plant also dislikes dry air, drafts and strong winds, which can tear its large leaf blades. On the other hand, it tolerates fairly deep shade, especially when young, and responds well to pruning.
Cultivation in temperate climates
In cooler regions of Europe, Philodendron findens is exclusively grown as a houseplant, greenhouse plant or conservatory plant. The best position is a bright spot with filtered light - an east- or west-facing window, or a shaded south-facing exposure. The substrate should imitate the humus-rich, airy layer on tree bark: a mixture of fine pine bark, coconut fiber, perlite and a small amount of compost or peat works best. The pot must have drainage holes, and water should not be left standing in the saucer.
Watering should be adjusted according to how quickly the substrate dries out - when the top 2–3 cm are dry, water the plant thoroughly; in winter, with lower temperatures and shorter days, extend the intervals. Air humidity of 60–80% is more important than frequent watering; during the heating season, a humidifier or grouping the plant with others can help. A moss-covered pole, board or trellis kept moist allows aerial roots to grow into it and is essential for producing large, split leaves. Fertilize every 2–4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer at half strength, and repot every 1–2 years into a slightly larger container. In summer, the plant can be placed outdoors in a shady, sheltered spot when nights are warm, but it must be brought indoors before temperatures fall to around 15°C.
Uses in ornamental gardening
The species entered cultivation relatively recently and is still rare, found mainly among specialist growers and in aroid enthusiasts' collections. Its ornamental appeal lies in the size and unusual form of its leaves: mature specimens on a tall support resemble a fragment of rainforest brought indoors. It combines well with other large-leaved aroids - monsteras, anthuriums, Philodendron pterotum or Philodendron gloriosum - in bright living rooms, entrance halls, conservatories and display greenhouses. In warm tropical and subtropical regions, it is sometimes planted in shady gardens at the base of tree trunks as a climbing ground cover.
Like all philodendrons, this plant contains calcium oxalate crystals in all its tissues. Chewing a piece of leaf or stem causes intense burning and swelling of the mouth and throat, while the sap may irritate the skin and eyes. For this reason, a large plant should be placed out of reach of small children, cats, and dogs, and gloves should be worn when pruning.
History and etymology of the name
The genus name Philodendron comes from Greek: philo - “loving” and dendron - “tree”, referring to the climbing, tree-dwelling habit of most species. The species epithet findens is the Latin participle of the verb findere - “to split, tear apart” - and refers to the characteristic splitting of the leaf blade margins between the veins. The species description was published in 1997 in an extensive revision of the philodendrons of Central America by Thomas Croat, one of the most prolific researchers of Araceae, and Michael Grayum, a specialist in the flora of Costa Rica. The type material comes from the area around the Fortuna Dam in Panama, a region famous for its exceptional richness of aroids. On iNaturalist, the species has received more than 130 observations, mainly from Costa Rica and Panama.
Who this species is for
Philodendron findens is suited to people who already have experience with tropical aroids and can provide consistent warmth, high humidity, and sturdy support. It requires more space and attention than popular small-leaved philodendrons, but rewards growers with leaves unmatched by almost any other species available in cultivation. It will satisfy collectors of rare plants, greenhouse owners, conservatory owners, and those with bright, spacious interiors. For beginners with a dry home or a cool windowsill, one of the easier philodendrons would be a better choice to start with.
Summary
Philodendron findens is a rare, large-leaved hemiepiphyte from the humid forests of Costa Rica, Panama, and western Colombia, described in 1997 and distinguished by leaves with splitting margins. In the temperate climate of Europe, it is grown as a houseplant or greenhouse plant at 18–28°C, with 60–80% air humidity, in an airy, humus-rich substrate and necessarily with a moss-covered support. The species is not currently listed on the IUCN Red List; automated extinction-risk estimates developed by Kew classify it as probably not threatened, although its habitats - the montane forests of Central America - are under pressure from deforestation.
