Philodendron Giganteum - All You Need To Know

We run down all you need to know about philodendron giganteum care…

Philodendron Giganteum Summary

Light needs:	Medium to bright indirect sunlight.
Watering needs:	Water only if the top 50% of soil is dry, check weekly.
Fertilizer:	A balanced feed once a month in spring and summer.
Soil:	Add 20% perlite to normal compost to aid drainage.
Humidity:	50-60%.
Temperature:	18°C to 25°C (64-77°F).
Where to buy:	Try our list of Rare Plant Shops.
Other names:	Elephant Ear Philodendron, Giant Philodendron.
Common issues:	Overwatering, pests.

Introduction

This large philodendron is an easy to grow climbing philodendron, we cover all you need to know in this care guide.

Tip: we recommend Etsy for buying plants. Look for the best rated seller you can, and try to buy as close to your home as possible so the plant does not travel too far.

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Philodendron Giganteum Light Needs

Medium to bright indirect sunlight is best for them. Don’t let them burn in full sun though.

How Often To Water

Check the soil weekly with your finger and water only if the top 50% of soil is already dry. If in doubt, leave it. Ten minutes after watering, tip out any left over water from the external pot, as they can get root rot easily.

Tip: they are susceptible to root rot, so make sure you only water them when most of the soil is dry already. And don’t leave loads of water standing in the base as this can easily lead to root rot.

Fertilizer

Feed them a balanced feed once a month in spring and summer to encourage growth. It is not 100% necessary to feed them, but it can encourage quicker and fuller growth.

Philodendron Giganteum Soil

They do not like to sit in heavy wet soil, so add at least add 20% perlite to normal compost to aid drainage. Or ideally a mix of orchid bark, perlite and normal compost in equal parts.

For more on Philodendron soil see our guide on what to buy or how to make your own: P h ilodendron Soil.

When To Repot

Check the plant in spring and take it out of it’s pot and look at the roots. If the roots are crowded or even starting to get crowded you can repot it and give it plenty of room to grow in the forthcoming growing season.

Humidity

50-60% is best to get the best growth. They will be fine a bit lower, but they will thrive if given decent humidity levels.

Temperature

18°C to 25°C (64-77°F) is ideal. They will tolerate lower at night but do not let them get down to 10°C (50°F), also try to avoid cold drafts in the winter.

How To Propagate

Take a stem cutting with at least one node and one leaf and then let the wound heal over for about a day. Then put the cutting in a jar of filtered tap water to root. It can take up to two months to develop decent roots, and then you can pot the cutting up into soil and treat it as a juvenile plant.

For more on propagating philodendrons, see our guide: How To Propagate Philodendron.

Is It Toxic To Cats?

Yes it is mildly to moderately toxic to cats and dogs in ingested, so seek vets advice if your pets eat any.

Philodendron Giganteum USDA Zone

They can grow outdoors year-round in zones 9-11.

Where To Buy

Try our list of Rare Plant Shops.

Is Philodendron Giganteum A Climbing Philodendron?

Philodendron giganteum is a climbing philodendron. They grow upwards, and grow well when tied to a mosspole too.

Philodendron Giganteum Variegated

There is a beautifully variegated version of the giganteum for sale, they come up for sale occasionally with a really nice mottled pattern on them. Be warned, they are not cheap!

For more on philodendrons see our philodendron category with all our philodendron care guides.

Philodendron Giganteum Scientific Name

The scientific name for this plant is ‘Philodendron Giganteum’.

Other Names

Elephant Ear Philodendron, Giant Philodendron. It is sometimes incorrectly called ‘Monstera Giganteum’.

FAQs And Common Problems

Check them for pests each time you water them, and be sure to check the soil and under the leaves too. You want to catch an infestation before it takes hold.

Additional Resources

Buy: we recommend a digital thermometer hygrometer (amazon affiliate link) to measure humidity.

Links:

More info on the Wikipedia page.
More info on the Kew Gardens plant page.
More info on the RHS plant page.
More info on the Exotic Rainforest plant page.