Philodendron atabapoense
Venezuela (Amazonas) and adjacent Brazilian Amazon; wet tropical forest
First described by G.S.Bunting.
Long, narrow, elongated arrow-shaped leaves, deep green above with wine-red to maroon undersides; petioles can be reddish.
Climber; leaves elongate further with a moss pole and bright light.
Genus from Greek 'philo' (love) + 'dendron' (tree), referring to many species' habit of climbing trees. Epithet refers to the Atabapo River region of Venezuela, near its native range.
Philodendron atabapoense (G.S.Bunting) is native to the Amazonas region of Venezuela and adjacent Brazil. A climber, it has long, narrow, elongated heart-shaped leaves that are deep green above with a distinctive wine-red to maroon underside. It is sometimes confused with, and hybridised with, P. billietiae.
Bright indirect light deepens the red undersides; a moss pole encourages longer mature leaves. Airy mix kept lightly moist, moderate-to-high humidity, warmth. An adaptable, fairly tolerant climber.
Airy aroid mix (40% orchid bark, 40% coco coir, 20% perlite). Repot every 18–24 months in spring; pair with a moss pole.
Monthly during growing season (spring–summer)
- Root rot from overwatering; smaller leaves without a support; spider mites in dry air; brown tips from low humidity.
- Its long green leaves have a striking wine-red underside.
- It's often crossed with P. billietiae to produce sought-after hybrids.
- It comes from the Atabapo River region on the Venezuela–Brazil Amazon border.