Full Specimen Plate
Philodendron serpens
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Philodendron serpens Price Guide & Auction Value
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Before You Buy
Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing
- Check that roots are firm and white to tan — avoid plants with black, slimy, or absent roots
- Inspect leaf undersides for thrips (tiny dark specks or silvery streaking) and mealybugs (white cottony deposits at leaf axils)
- Verify the plant has at least 2–3 healthy leaves and shows signs of active growth
- For listings showing only one photo, request images of the roots, underside of leaves, and any new growth before purchasing
Philodendron serpens Morphology
About Philodendron serpens
Philodendron serpens is a climbing species native to the wet tropical rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador. It grows in the humid, shaded understory, using aerial roots to ascend trees in perpetually moist conditions. A distinctive characteristic is its stems and petioles, which are densely covered with long, shaggy, reddish-to-cinnamon hairs. The leaves are cordate-sagittate, medium to large, with an acute tip and subtly plicate venation. The hairy stems and petioles distinguish it from most other cultivated Philodendron species.
Native Range
Colombia
Propagation Guide
How to Propagate Philodendron serpens
4-8 months
Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings
Single-node cuttings root readily in moist sphagnum or water. Maintain 70%+ humidity and bottom warmth for best results.
Care Guide
Philodendron serpens Care Guide & Growing Conditions
High-porosity mix: 50% perlite, 30% orchid bark, 20% coco coir. Good aeration is essential — philodendrons are prone to root rot in dense substrates.
Water thoroughly when the top 3–4 cm of substrate is dry. Ensure free drainage and never allow to sit in water. Reduce frequency in winter.
60–80% preferred. UK tap water can cause brown tips — use rainwater or filtered water where possible.
Balanced liquid fertiliser (e.g. 20-20-20) at quarter strength every two weeks in spring and summer. Monthly at most in winter.
Every 12–18 months or when roots circle the base of the pot. Move up one pot size only — oversized pots increase rot risk.
Common Problems
Brown leaf tips
Low humidity or fluoride/chlorine in tap water
Increase ambient humidity and switch to rainwater or filtered water
Yellow leaves
Overwatering or compacted substrate
Allow substrate to dry further between waterings; check root health and repot if necessary
Leggy growth with small leaves
Insufficient light
Move to a brighter position with more indirect light
The Hairy-Stemmed Climber
Philodendron serpens from Colombia to Ecuador is named for the snake-like quality of its stems — though what distinguishes it in cultivation is the dense coverage of bristle-like cataphylls and leaf sheaths that gives the stems a distinctly hairy or bristled appearance. An unusual textural quality that makes the climbing stem as visually interesting as the leaves. At upper middle tier pricing. Worth growing on a textured surface where the stem character reads against the background. A plant for close inspection.
