Philodendron fragrantissimum
Red Spathe Philodendron
UK price
£25 to £80
Estimate
Price by size
- Sold, 90 days
- 0
- Middle half
- -
- Last sold
- -
- On record
- 0
Cutting/cormNone
7cmNone
12cmNone
MatureNone
- Sale
- Typical
- Middle half
- Estimate
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For sale in the UK
Before you buy
- Check that roots are firm and white to tan; avoid plants with black, slimy, or absent roots
- Inspect leaf undersides for thrips (tiny dark specks or silvery streaking) and mealybugs (white cottony deposits at leaf axils)
- Verify the plant has at least 2-3 healthy leaves and shows signs of active growth
- Ask whether the stem is already attached to a bark or coir support, since transferring an established root-climber is easier than starting one from scratch
About Philodendron fragrantissimum
Philodendron fragrantissimum is a root-climbing epiphytic Philodendron native to warm, wet tropical forests ranging from Guatemala to South America, thriving in filtered light and persistent moisture. The adult plant features a stout climbing stem and several mature glossy green leaves that are broadly sagittate to cordate-sagittate with a clear sinus, strong midrib, and smooth margins. The petioles are robust, and it produces a highly fragrant inflorescence with a deep red to burgundy spathe surrounding a white spadix.
Native range
Guatemala to South America
Classification
- Genus
- Philodendron
- Family
- Araceae
- Type
- Wild
- Growth habit
- Root-climbing epiphytic climber
Morphology
- Leaf shape
- Broadly sagittateArrowhead-shaped leaves, with pointed lobes at the base pointing downwards. to cordateHeart-shaped foliage, featuring a rounded notch (sinus) where the leaf stem attaches.-sagittateArrowhead-shaped leaves, with pointed lobes at the base pointing downwards.
- Leaf length
- 30-50cm
- Leaf width
- 20-35cm
- Petiole colour
- Green
- Venation
- Strong midrib and smooth margins
- Texture
- Glossy, thick
- Variegation
- None
- Growth habit
- Root-climbing stem attached to bark
Philodendron fragrantissimum care
- Substrate
- High-porosity mix: 50% perlite, 30% orchid bark, 20% coco coir, against a bark slab or coir totem so the root-climbing stem can attach directly rather than relying on a bare pole.
- Watering
- Water thoroughly when the top 3-4 cm of substrate is dry. Ensure free drainage and never allow to sit in water; reduce frequency in winter.
- Humidity
- High, 70-85%. UK tap water can cause brown tips, so use rainwater or filtered water where possible.
- Feeding
- Quarter-strength balanced fertiliser every two weeks in spring and summer, monthly at most in winter.
- Repotting
- Every 12-18 months or when roots circle the base of the pot. Move up one pot size only, since oversized pots increase rot risk.
Common problems
Stem failing to attach to its support
Cause: A root-climbing species that needs direct bark or coir contact rather than a smooth pole to root into
Fix: Switch to a bark slab or coir-wrapped totem and tie the stem in gently until aerial roots take hold
No flowering
Cause: The fragrant inflorescence only appears on a mature, well-established plant; most indoor specimens never reach flowering size
Fix: Treat foliage as the main draw and flowering as a bonus rather than an expectation
Leggy growth with small leaves
Cause: Insufficient light
Fix: Move to a brighter position with more indirect light
Gear for this plant
- Coir Moss Pole, 120cm (4-Pack)Coco coir totem for climbing aroids to root into as they grow upward.
- Natural Rooting Powder, 3 x 75gRooting hormone powder for stem and leaf cuttings.
- Precision Bonsai Pruning Scissors, 200mmFine-bladed snips for clean node cuts when taking a cutting.
- Humidity Dome, Heavy-Duty Germination KitVented propagation dome for holding humidity around fresh cuttings.
How to propagate Philodendron fragrantissimum
- Methods
- Stem cutting, Node cutting. Step-by-step guide
- Difficulty
- Moderate. Rewards a consistent watering and light routine, but tolerates the occasional lapse. Suited to growers with some houseplant experience.
- Time to establish
- 4-8 months
- Notes
- Single-node cuttings root readily in moist sphagnum or water. Maintain 70%+ humidity and bottom warmth for best results.