Philodendron spiritus-sancti 'Variegated'
Variegated Holy Spirit Philodendron
UK price
£300 to £400
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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About Philodendron spiritus-sancti 'Variegated'
Philodendron spiritus-sancti is critically endangered in the wild, known from a single Brazilian ravine, and its variegated sport is scarcer still. Irregular variegation sectors interrupt the elongated, lanceolate leaves that distinguish the plain species, with expression varying considerably between individual plants and even between leaves on the same specimen. Growth is slow even by spiritus-sancti standards, and reduced chlorophyll on variegated sectors means it needs strong, consistent light to avoid stalling out entirely.
Native range
Chimeric variegated sport mutation of Philodendron spiritus-sancti.
Classification
- Genus
- Philodendron
- Family
- Araceae
- Type
- Variegated
- Growth habit
- Climbing on aerial roots
- Form of
- Philodendron spiritus-sancti
Morphology
- Leaf shape
- Elongated, lanceolateLance-shaped leaves that are significantly longer than they are wide, tapering to a point at the tip.
- Leaf length
- 40-70 cm
- Leaf width
- 10-18 cm
- Petiole colour
- Green
- Venation
- PinnateVeins or lobes arranged like a feather, branching out symmetrically on both sides of a single main central vein., prominent pale midrib
- Texture
- Matte, semi-leathery
- Variegation
- ChimericVariegation caused by a cell mutation. Often produces high contrast but can be unstable and revert to all-green. (unstableVariegation that is prone to disappearing (reverting to solid green) if lighting conditions are poor or if not pruned.) irregular cream-white sectors on the elongated lanceolateLance-shaped leaves that are significantly longer than they are wide, tapering to a point at the tip. blade; expression varies plant to plant and leaf to leaf, propagates true only from a cutting taken at a variegated node
- Growth habit
- Climbing
Recent UK sales
No UK eBay sales recorded for this plant yet.
For sale in the UK
Before you buy
- Given the price and how frequently this species is misspelled or mislabelled in listings, verify the seller's feedback history and photo authenticity before committing
- 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)
- Ask for a clear photo of the whole plant plus a close-up of a fully unfurled leaf, since damage during unfurling is common and affects value
Philodendron spiritus-sancti 'Variegated' care
- Substrate
- High-porosity mix: 50% perlite, 30% orchid bark, 20% coco coir, on a sturdy moss pole set in at planting time. The elongated leaves put real weight on the climbing support as they mature.
- Watering
- Water thoroughly when the top 3-4 cm of substrate is dry. Slow to moderate growth means it uses water more slowly than a vigorous climber; err on the side of underwatering.
- Humidity
- Very high, 75-90%. A terrarium, greenhouse cabinet, or humidifier-supported grow space is close to essential for clean leaf unfurling at this species' price tier.
- Feeding
- Quarter-strength balanced fertiliser every two to three weeks in the growing season, monthly in winter.
- Repotting
- Every 12-18 months, sizing up the climbing support with the pot. Handle roots minimally given the value and slow recovery time of a damaged specimen.
Common problems
New leaf tearing or failing to unfurl cleanly
Cause: Humidity dropping during the unfurling process, which the long lanceolate leaves are especially sensitive to
Fix: Keep humidity stable and high for the full duration a new leaf takes to open, not just at initiation
Root rot
Cause: Substrate that stays wet, often from a mix that's too dense or a pot with poor drainage
Fix: Repot into a chunkier mix immediately and trim away any mushy roots; act quickly given the plant's value
No new growth for extended periods
Cause: Normal for a slow to moderate grower, particularly through cooler months
Fix: Keep conditions stable rather than repeatedly adjusting light, feed, or position
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 PAR/PPFD Light MeterMeasures usable light at leaf height in µmol/m²/s, rather than relying on the eye's sense of brightness.
How to propagate Philodendron spiritus-sancti 'Variegated'
- Methods
- Stem cutting, Node cutting. Step-by-step guide
- Difficulty
- Challenging. Needs stable humidity, consistent moisture, and bright indirect light to thrive. Best suited to experienced aroid growers.
- Time to establish
- 4-8 months
- Notes
- Slow-growing species that roots reluctantly. Use moist sphagnum with high humidity and bottom heat. Multiple nodes improve success. Valuable enough that air layering is often preferred to avoid losing the cutting.