Philodendron domesticum
Spade-leaf Philodendron
Typical UK price, unrooted cutting
£9
Price by size
- Sold, 90 days
- 1
- Middle half
- -
- Last sold
- 29 Aug 2026
- On record
- 1
- Sale
- Typical
- Middle half
- Estimate
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About Philodendron domesticum
Philodendron domesticum, sometimes still traded under its older synonym P. tuxtlanum or the trade name 'Spade Leaf Philodendron', is a robust climbing species with elongated, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves. Long in cultivation, it has been a parent or presumed parent of several ornamental selections, most notably its own stable variegated form. 'Whipple Way' (a marble-variegated Philodendron with unpredictable, unique-per-leaf patterning) is commonly described as a sport of this species, though sources are not unanimous on that point.
Native range
South America (long cultivated, precise wild origin obscured by extensive horticultural history)
Classification
- Genus
- Philodendron
- Family
- Araceae
- Type
- Wild
- Growth habit
- Climbing/vining
Morphology
- Leaf shape
- Elongated arrow/spade-shaped
- Leaf length
- 25-40 cm
- Leaf width
- 12-20 cm
- Petiole colour
- Green
- Venation
- PinnateVeins or lobes arranged like a feather, branching out symmetrically on both sides of a single main central vein., subtle
- Texture
- Glossy
- Variegation
- N/A: solid glossy green blade; the stableVariegation that is genetically locked, meaning new leaves will reliably display the variegation pattern. variegated form and the disputed 'Whipple Way' marble sport are both associated with this species
- Growth habit
- Climbing vine with aerial roots
Recent UK sales
For sale in the UK
By month
| Month | Median | Sold |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | £9 | 1 |
Before you buy
- This species has been sold under several synonyms (P. tuxtlanum); check the seller means the same plant
- For 'Whipple Way', be aware its exact relationship to this species is debated among sources
- All Philodendron are toxic if ingested; keep away from pets and children
Philodendron domesticum care
- Substrate
- Chunky, well-draining aroid mix: 40% orchid bark, 30% potting compost, 20% perlite, 10% sphagnum moss.
- Watering
- Allow the top few centimetres of substrate to dry between waterings.
- Humidity
- 50-70%.
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength every 3-4 weeks during the growing season.
- Repotting
- Annually while young; every 2 years once established.
Common problems
Leggy growth
Cause: No support to climb
Fix: Provide a moss pole and bright indirect light
Root rot
Cause: Overwatering
Fix: Repot into fresh chunky substrate and reduce watering
Gear for this plant
- Coir Moss Pole, 120cm (4-Pack)Coco coir totem for climbing aroids to root into as they grow upward.
- Natural Rooting Powder, 3 x 75gRooting hormone powder for stem and leaf cuttings.
- Precision Bonsai Pruning Scissors, 200mmFine-bladed snips for clean node cuts when taking a cutting.
How to propagate Philodendron domesticum
- Methods
- Stem cutting, Node cutting. Step-by-step guide
- Difficulty
- Easy. Forgiving of missed waterings, average home humidity, and imperfect light. A solid pick for beginners or low-fuss collections.
- Time to establish
- 6-10 weeks
- True from cuttings
- Yes. Cuttings keep the cultivar's character.
- Notes
- Roots readily from stem or node cuttings. Variegated forms need a cutting taken at a visibly variegated node to preserve the pattern.