Philodendron pedatum

Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, the Guianas, Bolivia and Brazil; wet tropical forest

First described by (Hook.) Kunth.

Glossy green leaves that are simple when juvenile, becoming deeply lobed (oak-leaf-like) with multiple lateral lobes at maturity.

Climber; juvenile leaves simple, adult leaves multi-lobed; matures faster with a moss pole.

Genus from Greek 'philo' (love) + 'dendron' (tree), referring to many species' habit of climbing trees. Epithet 'pedatum' means 'foot-like/divided like a bird's foot', for the lobed leaves.

Philodendron pedatum ((Hook.) Kunth), the Oak Leaf Philodendron, is widespread across northern South America to south-eastern Brazil. A climber, its lobed leaves change shape dramatically with age, gaining more and deeper lateral lobes as the plant matures. It is the source of several cultivars (e.g. 'Glad Hands') and a parent of the Philodendron 'Florida' hybrids.

An easy, vigorous climber: bright indirect light, a moss pole, an airy mix kept lightly moist, and moderate humidity. The shift from simple juvenile leaves to deeply lobed adult foliage is normal and rewards patience.

• Root rot from overwatering; leaves stay simple/unlobed without a support; spider mites in dry air; brown tips from low humidity.

• Juvenile leaves are simple, but adult leaves develop deep oak-leaf-like lobes — the same plant can look like two species.
• It's a parent of the popular Philodendron 'Florida' hybrid line (including 'Florida Ghost').
• It has a huge native range, from Colombia and the Guianas down to south-eastern Brazil.