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Derived & Cultivated Forms

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Full Specimen Plate

Philodendron spiritus-sancti

Philodendron Spiritus Sancti

Very High
LightBright, indirect filter
Terrarium
Humidity75 - 90%
Warm
Temperature18 - 28°C
Medium
Size60 - 120 cm leaf length
Slow
Growth RateSlow to Moderate
Advanced
DifficultyAdvanced
Wild£ · CommonVery LowEspírito Santo, Brazil
£24· 7cm plant

Aroid Atlas Price Guide

Select Plant Size

£24Base
· 7cm Plant?Estimate

Pricing Data Key

High/Good Confidence: 15+ recent online sales. Highly reliable market guide.
!
Moderate Confidence: 5-14 recent sales. Good general guide, but prices may vary.
?
Limited Data: Under 5 sales. Relying on shop stock listings and estimates.

Community price estimate based on limited sales history

ℹ️ Baseline Index ValueThe baseline index value represents the current market rate for an established 7cm whole pot specimen. Prices for other sizes, nodes, rooted cuttings, or mother plants are calculated proportionally from this base index guide.

Other colour-form prices

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Market Analysis

Philodendron spiritus-sancti Price Guide & Auction Value

Historical eBay auction metrics and live retailer listings updated weekly.

No eBay auction history available yet. Data is collected automatically as sales appear on eBay UK.

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 spiritus-sancti Morphology

leaf ShapeElongated sword-like, sagittateArrowhead-shaped leaves, with pointed lobes at the base pointing downwards.
leaf Length60 - 120 cm
leaf Width10 - 15 cm
petiole ColorDeep green to maroon base
venationPinnateVeins or lobes arranged like a feather, branching out symmetrically on both sides of a single main central vein., subtle pale midrib
textureCoriaceous, matte leathery
variegationNone (Pure form)
growth HabitClimbing with thick aerial anchors

About Philodendron spiritus-sancti

Philodendron spiritus-sancti is known for its extremely elongated, dangling lanceolate leaves with deep sinus lobes. It originates from a highly restricted wild habitat in Brazil. Historically priced in the thousands of pounds, increasing availability through micropropagation and tissue culture has begun shifting market dynamics, though mature, high-character specimens still command premium prices among collectors.

Native Range

Brazil

Propagation Guide

How to Propagate Philodendron spiritus-sancti

Difficulty
Challenging
Time to Establish

4-8 months

Slow-growing species that roots reluctantly. Use moist sphagnum with high humidity and bottom heat. Multiple nodes improve success. Valuable enough that air layering is often preferred to avoid losing the cutting.

Care Guide

Philodendron spiritus-sancti Care Guide & Growing Conditions

Substrate

High-porosity mix: 50% perlite, 30% orchid bark, 20% coco coir. Good aeration is essential — philodendrons are prone to root rot in dense substrates.

Watering

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.

Humidity

60–80% preferred. UK tap water can cause brown tips — use rainwater or filtered water where possible.

Fertilising

Balanced liquid fertiliser (e.g. 20-20-20) at quarter strength every two weeks in spring and summer. Monthly at most in winter.

Repotting

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

Problem

Brown leaf tips

Cause

Low humidity or fluoride/chlorine in tap water

Fix

Increase ambient humidity and switch to rainwater or filtered water

Problem

Yellow leaves

Cause

Overwatering or compacted substrate

Fix

Allow substrate to dry further between waterings; check root health and repot if necessary

Problem

Leggy growth with small leaves

Cause

Insufficient light

Fix

Move to a brighter position with more indirect light

Field Notes · Vol. 112 March 2024

Hunting the Ghost of Espírito Santo

Philodendron spiritus-sancti is one of the most sought-after rare aroids, endemic to a tiny area of Atlantic Forest in Espírito Santo, Brazil. Described in 1987 by George Bunting, it is critically endangered in the wild, with only a handful of mature specimens left in their natural habitat. Its long, dangling lanceolate leaves and reddish-purple petioles are well documented in the botanical literature. In recent years, micropropagation has helped make this once-rare plant accessible to collectors, but mature specimens remain prized. Studies on the conservation genetics of P. spiritus-sancti highlight the importance of ex-situ cultivation to prevent total extinction.

Written at AroidAtlas research station— Aroid Atlas
Retail Price?The average price across tracked UK retailers (nurseries and specialty stores).
Not tracked
Not currently stocked by tracked UK retailers

How prices are calculated: The AA Price uses online sold listings converted to GBP at current exchange rates, excluding extreme outliers to ensure a fair-value guide. Falls back to UK retail average when auction data is unavailable.