Philodendron grazielae
S. Colombia to Peru and N. Brazil (western Amazonia)
First described by G.S.Bunting.
Small (4–11 cm wide), thick, glossy, rounded heart-shaped leaves with a neat, almost folded appearance.
Compact climber; stays tidy and small-leaved, well suited to a small moss pole or totem.
Genus from Greek 'philo' (love) + 'dendron' (tree), referring to many species' habit of climbing trees. Epithet honours Brazilian botanist Graziela Barroso, who collected the original specimen.
Philodendron grazielae (G.S.Bunting) is a small climbing species from western Amazonia (southern Colombia to Peru and northern Brazil), named after Brazilian botanist Graziela Barroso, whose collection was cultivated at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden in the 1960s. It is loved for its compact, thick, glossy rounded-heart leaves and tidy climbing habit.
A compact climber that appreciates bright indirect light and a small moss pole or totem. Keep the airy mix lightly moist; high humidity keeps the glossy leaves plump. Its small size makes it ideal for shelves and cabinets.
Airy aroid mix (40% orchid bark, 40% coco coir, 20% perlite). Repot every 18–24 months; provide a small support to climb.
Monthly during growing season (spring–summer)
- Root rot in wet mix; sparse, small leaves in low light; spider mites in dry air; crispy edges from low humidity.
- It's named after pioneering Brazilian botanist Graziela Barroso.
- Its thick, glossy, rounded leaves have an almost folded, sculptural look.
- Compact and slow to outgrow a shelf, it's a great climber for small spaces.