Philodendron Tortum Plant in a 6 inch Nursery Pot
Philodendron tortum · Philodendron
- 30-day returnsNot happy with your plant? Bring it back within 30 days for an exchange or a refund.
- Pick up any time we're openOpen 11:00 am to 6:30 pm, seven days a week, at 3742 West 10th Avenue, Kitsilano. You can come in right after you order. Pickup is always free. For delivery, add it to your cart: $35 plus GST and PST, or free on orders of $98 or more.
A philodendron that doesn't look like one. Each leaf splits into long, narrow fingers, and Darrell calls it “nothing like your typical philodendrons.”
- Each leaf is cut into long, narrow segments, so the plant looks light and airy, more like a palm frond than a philodendron.
- This batch came in bigger than the tiny 4 in plants Darrell brought in last year.
- The same routine Darrell uses for most tropical plants: bright, indirect light, and water when the top quarter of the soil is dry.
- Toxic to cats and dogs if chewed. Keep it out of reach, and read the pet note below.
- Narrow, finger-like leaves
- 6 in nursery pot
- Toxic to cats and dogs
- Bright, indirect light
Sending it as a gift?
- Add it to your cart and choose delivery at checkout: $35 plus GST and PST, or free when the order is $98 or more.
- Enter their address in Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond or Burnaby as the delivery address. You can place the order from anywhere. We deliver only to these five cities.
- The receipt comes to your email only, and we email you when it has been delivered.
- After you pay, we email you, not them, to confirm the delivery day. Write your gift message, and whether it is a surprise, in the notes at checkout.
- Not sure which plant suits them? Send a gift card and let them choose at our Kitsilano shop.
- Not for a home with cats or dogs that chew plants. For a home with cats or dogs, see our Money Tree.
Our shop is at 3742 West 10th Avenue in Kitsilano. Pick it up any time we're open, 11:00 am to 6:30 pm, seven days a week, even right after you order.
What you get
- One Philodendron tortum growing in a 6 in (15 cm) plastic nursery pot.
- No decorative pot is included.
Size and details
| Plant | Philodendron tortum |
|---|---|
| Container | Plastic nursery pot (no decorative pot) |
| Pot size | 6 in (15 cm) across |
| Leaves | Cut into long, narrow segments, plain green |
| Light | Bright, indirect light |
| Pets | Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA) |
| Pick up | 3742 West 10th Avenue, Kitsilano. Any time we're open, even right after you order |
About this plant
This is Philodendron tortum. Each leaf is cut almost to the middle into long, narrow segments, so the plant looks light and airy, more like a palm frond than the broad, glossy leaves most people picture when they hear philodendron. The leaf stalks are long, and some have a reddish-brown tint. It grows in a 6 in (15 cm) plastic nursery pot.
When this batch came in, Darrell, who has more than 25 years of growing behind him, called it a “very unique strappy leaf, nothing like your typical philodendrons.” He brought some in last year too, but those were tiny plants in 4 in pots. This time they came in bigger, and in his words, with “whole new foliage coming out.”
Philodendron tortum is a wild species from northern Brazil and Bolivia.
The care is the same as for most tropical houseplants. Give it bright, indirect light, and let the top quarter of the soil dry before you water.
If the stems start to lean as it grows, give them something to climb. Darrell says this about philodendrons in general: “If you allow them to grow upright attached to a moss pole or any kind of like a structure where they can hold on to, they tend to grow bigger leaves.”
If you have a cat or a dog, please read the pet note below. Philodendrons are toxic to them if chewed.
Not sure which spot it should go in? Ask us at the counter.
Care in a Vancouver home
Light
Bright, indirect light is best. An east window works well, or a few feet back from a south or west one. A north window is usually too dim in a Vancouver winter. In a dim corner it grows slowly and the stems stretch toward the glass. In December Vancouver gets only about eight hours of daylight, and a lot of it is grey. So in winter, move it as close to your brightest window as you can, with the leaves off the cold glass.
Water
Darrell's rule for most indoor tropical plants: “So I find 90% of tropicals, they all want to be dry the top quarter of their pot size between their watering.” Push a finger into the soil. If the top quarter feels dry and it is still a little moist deeper down, water now. If it feels damp right from the top, wait. Water at the sink and let it drain. If it sits in a cover pot or a saucer, tip out any water left in the bottom. Soggy soil is the quickest way to rot the roots. From November to February it will need water less often.
Support
If the stems start to lean out of the pot as it grows, that is the time for a support. Darrell's advice for philodendrons is to give them something to grow up early, “a moss pole or any kind of like a structure where they can hold on to.” In his experience, philodendrons grown upright “tend to grow bigger leaves and they look nicer.” A moss pole or a stake pushed into the pot both work. Tie the stems on loosely with soft plant ties.
Temperature
A normal warm room is fine. Keep it out of cold drafts, like a door that opens to the outside, and off cold window glass at night. Keep it away from heater vents too.
Dry air and pests
Normal home air is fine. In winter, heating makes the air dry, and that is when spider mites like to show up. Look for fine webbing and tiny pale specks on the leaves. Also check where the leaves meet the stem for mealybugs, which look like small bits of white cotton. If you see either, show us a photo at the counter.
Feeding
Spring and summer only. Weak houseplant food about once a month is plenty. Nothing from November to February.
Older leaves
Now and then an old leaf near the bottom turns yellow and dries off. That is normal. Once it comes away easily, remove it. Many yellow leaves at once, on soil that stays wet, is different. That usually means too much water.
Repotting
Not often. When roots come out the bottom, go up one pot size and no more. When Darrell repots any plant, he keeps to one size up: “Nothing too big right away. Just to get a good one size up.” When Darrell repots tropical plants, he uses an indoor tropical mix with some orchid bark mixed in, so it drains well.
Pets and kids
Please keep this one away from pets that chew. The ASPCA lists philodendrons (Philodendron spp.) as toxic to cats and dogs. The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalates, and chewing it can cause irritation, pain and swelling of the mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. If your pet has chewed it, call your vet right away.
A plant on a table or a low shelf is easy for a dog to reach, and cats can jump onto most tables and shelves. A tall shelf in a room your pet doesn't go into is the spot we suggest. Pick up any fallen leaves too. If you'd rather not take the chance, ask us at the counter about plants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic.
Not sure it suits your spot?
Send a photo of the corner you have in mind. Darrell, who has grown plants for more than 25 years, will tell you honestly if this plant will be happy there.
Goes well with
Philodendron 'Malay Gold'Another philodendron from the same delivery. Darrell says its narrow branches need support as they grow. Same light, same watering.
Ficus AudreyBroad, oval leaves next to the tortum's narrow ones. Same light, same watering.
Braided money treeTakes the same bright, indirect light and the same top-quarter watering, so they can share a window.
Questions people ask
How do I care for a Philodendron tortum?
Bright, indirect light, and water when the top quarter of the soil has dried. Water at the sink, let it drain, and don't leave it sitting in water. Keep it away from cold drafts and heater vents, and water less from November to February.
Does Philodendron tortum need a moss pole?
Not right away. If the stems start to lean as it grows, that is when a moss pole or a stake helps. Darrell's advice for philodendrons is to give them support early, because grown upright they “tend to grow bigger leaves and they look nicer.” Tie the stems on loosely.
How often should I water a Philodendron tortum?
Go by the soil, not the calendar. Let the top quarter of the soil dry, then water at the sink and let it drain. Don't leave it sitting in water. In a Vancouver winter that is less often than in summer, because the soil dries more slowly.
Is Philodendron tortum toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists philodendrons (Philodendron spp.) as toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing it can cause mouth irritation, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Keep it out of reach, and call your vet right away if your pet has chewed it.
Is Philodendron tortum rare?
In Darrell's words, it's one of those that “were kind of rare when they first came out.” This one is a young plant in a 6 in pot at our Kitsilano store.
Is this a variegated Philodendron tortum?
No. This is the plain green form.
How big does Philodendron tortum get?
This one is a young plant in a 6 in (15 cm) pot. It gets bigger over time, and how fast depends on light and care. Darrell finds philodendrons given something to climb tend to grow bigger leaves.
Does it come in a decorative pot?
No, it comes in its 6 in plastic nursery pot. You can set it inside a cover pot as it is, or move it into a pot one size bigger when the roots come out the bottom.
Do you deliver this plant?
Yes, to Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond and Burnaby. Add it to your cart (shop.dhgardencentre.com/cart) and choose delivery at checkout: $35 plus GST and PST, or free when the order is $98 or more. Pickup at our Kitsilano store is always free. After you pay, we email you to confirm the delivery day.
What if my plant doesn't do well?
Bring it back within 30 days and we'll exchange it or give you a refund.
Where can I buy a Philodendron tortum in Vancouver?
At DH Garden Centre, 3742 West 10th Avenue in Kitsilano. We're open 11:00 am to 6:30 pm, seven days a week, and you can pick this one up in store any time we're open, even right after you order online.
See it before you buy
Every plant on this page is in our shop right now. Come and pick the one you like best, or let us choose a healthy one for you.
DH Garden Centre
3742 West 10th Avenue
Vancouver, BC V6R 2G4
Open 7 days, 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM