Philodendron bipinnatifidum
Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay
First described by Schott ex Endl..
Very large, glossy, deeply pinnately-lobed (lacy) leaves on long petioles, radiating from a stout woody crown with distinctive eye-drop leaf scars.
Large self-heading shrub forming a rosette on a thickening trunk-like stem; becomes decumbent and tree-like with age.
Genus from Greek 'philo' (love) + 'dendron' (tree), referring to many species' habit of climbing trees. Epithet 'bipinnatifidum' means 'twice pinnately cut', describing the deeply lobed leaves.
Philodendron bipinnatifidum (Schott ex Endl.) — long sold as 'selloum' — is a large, non-climbing, self-heading species from Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay. In 2018 it was proposed for transfer to a separate genus, Thaumatophyllum, but as of 2025 Plants of the World Online still treats Thaumatophyllum as a synonym and keeps the accepted name in Philodendron. P. selloum and P. selloanum are synonyms of this species.
A tough, adaptable plant that tolerates full sun to fairly deep shade, though bright light keeps it compact. Give it room — leaves and spread get large. Water when the top few cm dry; it likes rich, moisture-retentive soil but not waterlogging. Lower leaves naturally drop to reveal the trunk-like stem over time.
Rich, well-draining mix (e.g. 50% potting soil, 30% orchid bark, 20% perlite). Repot every 2–3 years in spring; use a heavy or wide pot as mature plants get top-heavy.
Monthly during growing season (spring–summer)
- Root rot from waterlogging; floppy, stretched growth and large gaps in low light; spider mites in dry air; lower-leaf yellowing is often natural ageing.
- Widely sold as 'selloum,' it's the same species as Philodendron bipinnatifidum.
- A 2018 proposal would move it to the genus Thaumatophyllum, but major databases still file it under Philodendron.
- Unlike climbing philodendrons, it's 'self-heading' — forming a big rosette on a thick trunk-like stem rather than vining.