Philodendron serpens
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 the stem shows a full, even covering of reddish hairs rather than bare or worn patches from rough handling
- 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)
- For listings showing only one photo, request images of the stem and petiole hair coverage before purchasing
About Philodendron serpens
Philodendron serpens is a climbing species native to the wet tropical rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador. It grows in the humid, shaded understory, using aerial roots to ascend trees in perpetually moist conditions. A distinctive characteristic is its stems and petioles, which are densely covered with long, shaggy, reddish-to-cinnamon hairs. The leaves are cordate-sagittate, medium to large, with an acute tip and subtly plicate venation. The hairy stems and petioles distinguish it from most other cultivated Philodendron species.
Native range
Colombia to Ecuador
Classification
- Genus
- Philodendron
- Family
- Araceae
- Type
- Wild
- Growth habit
- Climbing
Morphology
- Leaf shape
- 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
- Medium to Large
- Leaf width
- Medium to Large
- Petiole colour
- Reddish to Cinnamon Hairs
- Venation
- Slightly plicate
- Texture
- Smooth, Hairy Petioles
- Variegation
- None
- Growth habit
- ScandentClimbing or scrambling upward, typically requiring vertical support. / Climbing
Philodendron serpens care
- Substrate
- High-porosity mix: 50% perlite, 30% orchid bark, 20% coco coir, with a coir or sphagnum totem for the hairy stems to grip as they climb.
- Watering
- Water thoroughly when the top 3-4 cm of substrate is dry. Ensure free drainage and never allow the pot to sit in water.
- Humidity
- High, 65-80%. Consistent moisture in the air keeps the stem hairs from drying out and browning.
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid fertiliser at quarter strength every two weeks in spring and summer, monthly through winter.
- Repotting
- Every 12-18 months or when roots circle the base of the pot; handle the stem carefully when repotting to avoid rubbing off the shaggy hair covering.
Common problems
Stem hairs thinning or rubbing away
Cause: Physical handling during shipping or repositioning, or consistently low humidity
Fix: Handle the stem minimally once positioned and keep humidity in the upper part of its range; new growth will carry a full hair covering
Yellow leaves
Cause: Overwatering or compacted substrate
Fix: Allow substrate to dry further between waterings; check root health and repot if necessary
Leggy growth with small leaves
Cause: Insufficient light for a species that still wants filtered brightness despite tolerating shade
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.
- Digital Hygrometer & ThermometerLCD humidity and temperature gauge for checking a grow spot against a plant's target range.
How to propagate Philodendron serpens
- 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
- True from cuttings
- Yes. Cuttings keep the cultivar's character.
- Notes
- Single-node cuttings root readily in moist sphagnum or water. Maintain 70%+ humidity and bottom warmth for best results.