Philodendron Hope Selloum: Tree Philodendron Plant Care

What is a Philodendron Selloum Plant?

Philodendron selloum, or by its botanical name, Philodendron bipinnatifidum, is a tropical plant that is native to South America.

The word “Bipinnatifdidum” is Latin-based and means “double and feathery split-leaves.”

Philodendron selloum is also known as tree philodendron or lacy tree philodendron. In fact, it is a climbing philodendron in the wild, attaching itself with aerial roots and growing to be more than 10 feet tall!

Growing them outside in good weather, such as in USDA hardiness zones 9 and up, will give them the appearance of a tree, hence the name Tree Philodendron.

It is a rather large plant known for its deeply lobed leaves, each connected to a leaf stem protruding from the base.

But the main feature of this plant is its glossy, deep green foliage. These leaves are enormous, as one single leaf can grow up to 3 feet long!

It has a tree-like stem and downward-growing aerial roots as it matures. It loses its lower leaves as it travels, revealing a trunk covered with growth marks that almost look like eyes staring at you.

What is a Philodendron Hope Plant?

The Philodendron Hope, also known as the Philodendron bipinnatifidum, is a South American tropical house plant.

Philodendron Hope is also called the Tree Philodendron because it looks like a smaller version of Philodendron Selloum.

Philodendron hope plants tend to be great indoor houseplants as they remain a lot tamer. It maxes out at about 3 to 4 feet tall when grown indoors.

It, too, has large, deeply split leaves with wavy edges that make the leaves look layered and ruffled.

Philodendron Hope Versus Philodendron Selloum

There is little difference between the Philodendron Hope and the Philodendron Selloum. In fact, many people will argue that they are the same plant.

Both have similar foliage with wide, split leaves with wavy edges that look great as a green indoor plant and share the same DNA.

However, the biggest difference between the two plants is their size.

The Philodendron Hope is about a 4 to 5-foot tall indoor plant, while the Philodendron Selloum can grow a lot taller, more than 10 feet, when given the space-especially outdoors.

So it’s safe to say that the Philodendron Hope does not climb, but the Philodendron Selloum does. The Selloum will use its aerial roots to attach itself to any vertical pole, like a tree or moss pole, to climb upwards.

Another difference is that the Philodendron hope is not as readily available for purchase. It is difficult to find it in your local garden center. On the other hand, since the Philodendron selloum is a wild plant, on a relative basis, it is easier to find.

With that said, the plant care for both is the same.

They can be fast-growing plants if they receive lots of bright indirect light, so you may need to prune their growth a bit if you are trying to contain your Philodendron selloum or if you keep your Philodendron hope in a small space.

Otherwise, you can let them fill in the area with their natural foliage.

Overall, both are great plants that are a beautiful addition to any garden.

Why are Philodendron Selloum and Philodendron Hope Identified as Thaumatophyllum?

Within the genus Philodendron, Philodendron bipinnatifidum (along with Philodendron Xanadu and a few others), had previously been separated into their own subgroup called Meconostigma (which is now Thaumatophyllum)

In 2018, experts came to the conclusion that the genetic makeup of these plants was not generally the same as other common Philodendron plants.

The main fact was that Philodendron Hope and Selloum develop trunks like trees and then lose leaves at the base – not a common growth pattern of other Philodendrons.

As a result of further testing and review, botanists have determined that Philodendron hope and Philodendron selloum really belong to their own group of plants called Thaumatophyllum.[1]

Hence, if you see someone refer to these plants as Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum, rest assured that they are referring to Philodendron Hope or Philodendron Selloum.

Let’s discuss caring for the unique Philodendron Hope!

Philodendron Hope Plant Care

Philodendron Hope and Philodendron Selloum are effectively the same plants; hence plant needs are exactly the same.

They are fast-growing plants, so they’ll need lots of strong indirect light. Since the Philodendron Selloum climbs like crazy and the Philodendron Hope can get a little bushy as well, you can prune and trim them as needed.

In general, both of these plants are wonderful choices and would make a lovely addition to any garden.

Temperature and Climate

Philodendron Hope and Philodendron Selloum enjoy a warm and humid environment.

The ideal temperature range is between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (16-32 degrees Celsius).

If your temperatures change pretty drastically throughout the seasons, you may want to bring the Philodendron Hope indoors in the fall and put it back outside in the spring.

As for an outdoor Philodendron Selloum plant, you’ll just need to ensure your plant is winterized or you live in USDA hardiness zones 8 or above.

If temperatures regularly drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), you should bring this plant indoors.

If you are concerned that humidity levels are insufficient for your Philodendron Selloum, you can place a pebble tray underneath the pot or lightly mist the plant every couple of days.

Be sure not to overspray because too much water and moisture on the leaves could cause disease (especially if the plant is in the shade for extended periods of the day).

Light

Both Philodendron Hope and Philodendron Selloum like lots of bright light but not too much direct light exposure.

Bright, indirect light will provide lots of energy for this plant without burning its leaves—you will see lots of growth if your plant is in this environment.

Tree Philodendrons can live in low- and moderate-light environments, but they will grow much slower (maybe that is preferable for you).

Just be sure to give your Philodendron some light every day. A north-or east-facing window will provide a lot of bright light without direct sunlight.

Watering

The Philodendron Hope Selloum can be a little tricky with watering needs. You want moist soil but not soggy soil.

Give your plant a deep watering and wait until the soil feels dry on the top two inches before watering again.

Excess water is the leading cause of disease for the Philodendron Hope and Philodendron Selloum, so be sure to avoid letting the roots sit in really wet soil for days on end.

If you notice yellow leaves or foliage dying, the moisture level is probably too high, and you should be watering less.

The moisture level can vary slightly, but the soil should dry out a bit between waterings to prevent disease.

Also, plant pots must have drainage holes so that excess water can drain out of the bottom of the pot.

If the pot you planted your Philodendron Hope in does not have drainage holes, consider buying a pot with drainage holes or drilling some holes into your current one.

As for Philodendron Selloum, make sure your garden soil is well-draining.

Soil

Philodendron Selloum and Philodendron Hope love well-draining, good-quality soil.

So, use soil with elements like sand, peat moss, and perlite to prevent the roots from sitting in water.

These plants are also pretty robust and appreciate occasional fertilizing.

To avoid nutrient deficiencies, you should amend your soil every couple of months with a slow-release fertilizer or natural compost.

This will ensure that your Philo Hope and Selloum have vibrant and healthy foliage throughout the year.

Propagation

You will see some dead leaves now and then on your Philodendron plant—it is natural. Cut leaves that are brown or dead and discard them.

If you want to propagate your plant, the easiest method is through stem cuttings. Choose a healthy stem with a leaf node intact and cut near the base.

Place the stem cutting into a glass of water and wait for roots to emerge. When you see roots, transplant your cutting into a potting vessel with fresh soil.

Philodendrons are pretty fast growers, so you can propagate lots of starts off of one plant (especially during the growing seasons of spring and summer).

If you don’t want more plants, prune your Philodendron to the desired size.

Pests and Diseases

Root rot is the most common disease  for Philodendrons. Philodendron Selloum and Philodendron Hope are no exception.

If you see leaves turning yellow or discoloration around the base of the plant, your plant may have root rot.

In this case, you should transplant your Philodendron Hope or Selloum and remove any dead or diseased roots from the plant.

Wear gloves not to spread disease to other parts of the plant.

Pests are pretty rare. If you notice any bug infestations on your plant, spray with a mixture of neem oil, soap, and water once per day until they are gone.

One note though, Need oil is very pungent for some people so careful with using it around smell-sensitive people.

FAQs

Conclusion

This tropical beauty will make a powerful and beautiful addition to any room in your house.

The Philodendron Hope plant is a simple plant to care for as long as you water it regularly, provide it with plenty of sunlight, and feed it with the appropriate fertilizer.

But you should be aware of the insects and diseases that can infest this plant and prevent it from growing.

As a bonus, cuttings from the stem of the Philodendron Hope plant can be used to grow the plant and make more plants.

Other Philodendron Plants to Consider

Philodendron plants come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them a popular houseplant choice. Here is a list of other Philodendron plants to consider for your home, office, or outdoor garden.

• Directory of Philodendron Types of Houseplants
• 18 Best Indoor Vining Plants for Giving Your Home a Jungle Vibe

Philodendron Micans: This philodendron, also known as the Velvet Leaf Philodendron, is comparable to other types of philodendrons in that it is a vining plant that has heart-shaped leaves. However, the Philodendron micans differ from other types of philodendrons in that its leaves are not glossy and green but rather have a velvety texture and a greenish-bronze color, and their undersides are a crimson-brown color.

Philodendron Cordatum: Any type of indoor environment is suitable for the growth of Philodendron cordatum, which is among the most common and widespread species. Because of the form of its dark green leaves, which are fashioned like hearts, it is often known as the Heartleaf Philodendron and the Sweetheart Plant. Both of these names derive from the plant’s leaf shape and appearance.

Philodendron Brasil: A Philodendron brasil is an excellent choice for a small plant that can be kept at home or at work. You have the option of setting it on the counter or putting it in a holding pot. This plant may even attempt to climb up a trellis or moss pole if given the opportunity. Because it requires so little care, this plant is perfect for those who are just starting out.

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