Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) (Philodendron bipinnatifidum (syn. Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum, P. selloum))— schedule & NPK
Also called Tree philodendron, Selloum, Lacy tree philodendron, Horsehead philodendron, Hope philodendron, Split-leaf philodendron.
More about philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)
About Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron)
Philodendron bipinnatifidum (syn. Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum, P. selloum) · also called Tree philodendron, Selloum · tropical
The tree philodendron is a large, non-climbing tropical aroid grown for its dramatic, deeply lobed evergreen leaves and self-heading rosette habit. Its one defining need is bright, filtered light paired with consistently moist but well-drained soil. Give it room to spread, warmth and steady humidity, and it makes a bold, low-maintenance statement houseplant.
Growth habit: A large, non-climbing, self-heading aroid that forms a rosette of huge, deeply pinnatifid (lobed) leaves on long stalks radiating from a thickening semi-woody trunk. With age it develops a sprawling, almost tree-like form and prominent aerial roots. It spreads wide rather than tall indoors, so allow generous floor space.
Watch for — Yellowing lower leaves: Usually a watering issue. Soft, drooping yellow leaves with damp, sour-smelling compost point to overwatering and incipient root rot; let the soil dry further and check drainage. Widespread yellowing can also signal a nitrogen, potassium or iron shortfall during the growing season.
What fertiliser philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) actually wants — and why
Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) is a genuinely hungry tropical — in bright warmth it pushes growth fast and rewards a regular half-strength balanced feed all season.
A balanced liquid feed (even N-P-K) or a slightly nitrogen-leaning foliage feed — this is a big-leaved foliage plant putting on real size, so it wants steady nitrogen for lush leaves, not a bloom formula.
For the language behind the three numbers on the bottle — what nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium each do — see the NPK ratio explained entry. The short version for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron): match the feed to the job the plant is doing right now, not to a generic “plant food” on the shelf.
How often to feed philodendron selloum (tree philodendron), and which months
Feeding only earns its keep while the plant is in active growth and can use the nutrients — pour feed into a dormant or low-light plant and it simply builds up as root-burning salt. For philodendron selloum (tree philodendron):
Feed every 2-4 weeks through spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser diluted to half strength, then stop in autumn and winter when growth slows. This is a vigorous, hungry plant, so steady feeding supports its large leaves; flush the compost occasionally to prevent salt build-up, and ease off if you see crusty soil or leaf-tip burn. For a fast grower like this that means feeding regularly — about every 2-4 weeks — right through spring through early autumn (roughly March to September), tapering off only as light drops in autumn.
The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) is resting. For the wider context on indoor feeding rhythms across the seasons, the houseplant fertiliser schedule walks through the year month by month.
What strength to mix for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)
Half strength every feed is the sweet spot for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron): frequent enough to fuel fast growth, dilute enough that it never scorches even when you feed often.
Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron):
- Brown, scorched leaf tips and margins despite correct watering.
- A white salt crust on the soil or around the pot edge.
- Sudden leaf yellowing and drop shortly after a strong feed.
- Soft, weak, over-stretched growth that cannot support itself.
Signs you are under-feeding philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)
- New leaves coming in noticeably smaller than older ones.
- Pale, yellow-green older leaves and slow growth through peak summer.
- A general loss of vigour and gloss in a plant that should be racing away.
If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Because you feed often, salts accumulate faster — flush the pot of philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) with plain water until it drains freely roughly every month through the feeding season to keep the root zone clean.
Organic vs synthetic feeds for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)
Organic options
A diluted seaweed or fish-and-seaweed feed plus a yearly top-dress of worm castings supports fast growth without burn risk. UK: Westland seaweed or Baby Bio Organic; US: Neptune's Harvest or Espoma Indoor!.
Synthetic / liquid feeds
A balanced houseplant liquid at half strength applied frequently — UK: Baby Bio, Phostrogen or Westland Houseplant Feed; US: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food or Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro for steady leafy growth.
Brand names are examples, not endorsements, and UK and US ranges differ — check the label’s own NPK and dilution rate, since formulations change.
Fertilising philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) need?
A balanced liquid feed (even N-P-K) or a slightly nitrogen-leaning foliage feed — this is a big-leaved foliage plant putting on real size, so it wants steady nitrogen for lush leaves, not a bloom formula. Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) is a genuinely hungry tropical — in bright warmth it pushes growth fast and rewards a regular half-strength balanced feed all season.
How often should I feed philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)?
Feed every 2-4 weeks through spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser diluted to half strength, then stop in autumn and winter when growth slows. This is a vigorous, hungry plant, so steady feeding supports its large leaves; flush the compost occasionally to prevent salt build-up, and ease off if you see crusty soil or leaf-tip burn. Feed every 2-4 weeks through spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser diluted to half strength, then stop in autumn and winter when growth slows. This is a vigorous, hungry plant, so steady feeding supports its large leaves; flush the compost occasionally to prevent salt build-up, and ease off if you see crusty soil or leaf-tip burn. For a fast grower like this that means feeding regularly — about every 2-4 weeks — right through spring through early autumn (roughly March to September), tapering off only as light drops in autumn.
What strength of feed for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)?
Half strength every feed is the sweet spot for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron): frequent enough to fuel fast growth, dilute enough that it never scorches even when you feed often.
What does over-feeding philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) look like?
Brown, scorched leaf tips and margins despite correct watering. A white salt crust on the soil or around the pot edge. Sudden leaf yellowing and drop shortly after a strong feed. Soft, weak, over-stretched growth that cannot support itself. The mistake here is the opposite of most houseplants: under-feeding a fast tropical in peak season starves it, leaving small, pale new leaves and slow growth — but full-strength doses still burn it, so feed often and weak, not occasionally and strong.
Should I flush the soil of philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)?
Because you feed often, salts accumulate faster — flush the pot of philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) with plain water until it drains freely roughly every month through the feeding season to keep the root zone clean.
Keep reading
- Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) — the watering schedule
- The houseplant fertiliser schedule — feeding through the year
- NPK ratio explained — what the three numbers on the bottle mean
- How to fertilise monstera
- How to fertilise pothos
- How to fertilise fiddle leaf fig
- All 271 fertilising guides in the Growli library