Philodendron martianum
E. & S. Brazil; epiphytic, in seasonally dry tropical forest
First described by Engl..
Smooth, glossy, undivided lance-shaped bright green leaves on conspicuously swollen, water-storing petioles.
Self-heading rosette with thick inflated petioles; does not climb. Needs a deep pot for its substantial roots.
Genus from Greek 'philo' (love) + 'dendron' (tree), referring to many species' habit of climbing trees. Epithet honours German botanist Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius.
Philodendron martianum (Engl.), known in Brazil as pacová, is native to eastern and southern Brazil, where it grows as an epiphyte. A self-heading species, it is unmistakable for its smooth, glossy, undivided lance-shaped leaves held on swollen, hollow petioles that store water — earning it the names 'Flask' and 'Fat Boy'.
The swollen petioles store water, so let the mix dry out more than for other philodendrons — overwatering is the main risk. Give bright indirect light, a deep pot for the strong roots, and moderate humidity. No support needed; it forms a tidy clump.
Well-draining aroid mix in a deep pot (40% orchid bark, 30% coco coir, 30% perlite). Repot every ~2 years; keep as a self-heading clump.
Monthly during growing season (spring–summer)
- Root/petiole rot from overwatering (the swollen petioles mask early stress); too-shallow pots restrict its big root system; spider mites in dry air.
- Its swollen, hollow petioles store water, giving it the nicknames 'Flask' and 'Fat Boy'.
- In Brazil it's called pacová and grows as an epiphyte in seasonally dry forest.
- Unlike most philodendrons it doesn't climb and has simple, undivided leaves.