Philodendron gigas
Endemic to Panama; wet tropical forest
First described by Croat.
Large, velvety, elongate heart-shaped leaves; new growth coppery-pink maturing to deep green with subtle pale veins.
Hemiepiphytic climber; leaf size increases dramatically with a moss pole, warmth and high humidity.
Genus from Greek 'philo' (love) + 'dendron' (tree), referring to many species' habit of climbing trees. Epithet 'gigas' means 'giant', for the very large mature leaves.
Philodendron gigas was described by Thomas Croat and is endemic to Panama. A climbing hemiepiphyte, it is prized for its large, velvety leaves that emerge coppery-pink and mature to deep green with a faint pale venation. As the name suggests, mature leaves can become very large on a climbing support.
Treat like other velvet climbers: bright indirect light, a moss pole, an airy mix, and consistent high humidity. Keep evenly moist but never soggy, and keep it warm — growth and leaf size drop off in cool or dry conditions.
Airy aroid mix (50% orchid bark, 30% coco coir, 20% perlite). Repot when rootbound; provide a moss pole to unlock larger mature foliage.
Monthly during growing season (spring–summer)
- Root rot in wet mix; small leaves and slow growth without a support to climb; spider mites in dry air; crispy edges below ~60% humidity.
- True to its name 'gigas' (giant), mature climbing plants can develop enormous velvety leaves.
- New leaves emerge a coppery pink before deepening to dark velvet green.
- It is endemic to Panama and was formally described by aroid specialist Thomas Croat.