Philodendron patriciae
Endemic to the Chocó region of Colombia; very wet tropical forest
First described by Croat. (2010)
Long, narrow, pendent (downward-hanging) matte green leaves with a strongly rippled, undulate surface and prominent venation.
Short-stemmed hemiepiphyte with dramatically pendent leaves; best displayed where leaves can hang. Appreciates a totem/board.
Genus from Greek 'philo' (love) + 'dendron' (tree), referring to many species' habit of climbing trees. Epithet honours Patricia Croat, wife of botanist Thomas Croat, who described the species.
Philodendron patriciae (Croat, 2010) is endemic to the ultra-wet Chocó region of Colombia. A hemiepiphyte with short stems, it is grown for its long, narrow, pendent (hanging) leaves with a deeply rippled, undulate surface that intensifies with age. Croat called it one of the most spectacular philodendrons he had ever seen.
Coming from the very wet Chocó, it wants consistently high humidity (ideally 70%+), warmth, and an airy mix kept evenly moist but never soggy. Bright indirect light, no direct sun. Display so the long leaves can hang and ripple. Not a beginner plant.
Very airy mix (50% orchid bark, 30% coco chips/coir, 20% perlite plus charcoal). Repot when rootbound; high humidity speeds establishment.
Monthly during growing season (spring–summer)
- Crispy edges and poor rippling below ~65% humidity; root rot in dense or wet mix; spider mites/thrips in dry air; sensitive to sudden environmental change.
- Botanist Thomas Croat named it after his wife Patricia and called it one of the most spectacular philodendrons he'd ever seen.
- Its long leaves hang downward and develop dramatic ripples as they age.
- It's endemic to the Chocó — one of the wettest places on Earth — so it craves high humidity.