Cold hardiness & minimum temperature

Is Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) (Philodendron bipinnatifidum (syn. Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum, P. selloum))cold hardy? Hardiness zone & min temp

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.

Cold limit: USDA 9-11 · RHS H2 (tolerates 1-5°C; grow under glass in the UK) (18-27°C)

Watch for — Brown, crispy leaf edges: Typically caused by underwatering, low humidity or scorch from direct sun. Keep the compost lightly moist, raise humidity with a pebble tray or grouping, and move the plant out of harsh midday rays. Cold draughts can also brown the foliage.

What philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)'s hardiness rating actually means

Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) is half-hardy (RHS H2). It survives a mild winter outdoors in a sheltered spot, but a hard frost kills it — so in colder zones it is lifted, potted, or grown as a tender plant. Its RHS rating of H2 means: Tender — survives a frost-free greenhouse or a very mild, sheltered spot. On the US scale that maps to USDA 9-11 — the zones where it can be left outdoors year-round.

New to these scales? The USDA hardiness zone map explained covers how the zone numbers work, and you can find your own zone with the zone finder.

Minimum temperature — and what happens below it

Minimum survivable temperature is roughly about 1 to 5 °C — tolerates cold but no real frost. Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) shrugs off cold nights but a real, sustained freeze will kill it.

Concretely, for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) as it gets too cold:

Down to roughly about 1 to 5 °C it copes, especially if dry and sheltered.
A sustained hard frost collapses the top growth; whether it returns depends on whether the roots, crown or tubers froze.
Wet cold is far more lethal than dry cold for this plant — soggy, frozen soil is the usual killer.

Can philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) go outside or overwinter — and where?

It can live outside year-round only in the mildest, most sheltered part of USDA 9-11 or a frost-free UK microclimate.
In colder zones, grow it in a pot you can move under cover, or lift its tubers/roots and store them frost-free over winter.
A south-facing wall, free-draining soil and a dry winter position can push it a full zone hardier than the books suggest.

Work back from your local frost dates with the frost-date calculator: the last spring frost and first autumn frost are what really decide when philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) can be outside. US growers can check USDA zones; UK growers should use the RHS hardiness ratings, which match the H2 figure above.

Frost protection for borderline philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)

Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) is right on a hardiness edge in many gardens, so if you are pushing it, these measures buy it the margin it needs:

Mulch the crown or root zone deeply with bark, straw or leaf-mould before the first hard frost.
Move container plants against a warm wall or into an unheated but frost-free porch or greenhouse.
Fleece the top growth on the coldest nights, and keep it on the dry side — dry roots survive cold far better than wet ones.
Lift dahlia-type tubers or tender crowns after the first light frost blackens the foliage and store them somewhere cool but frost-free.

Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) hardiness — frequently asked questions

Is philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) cold hardy?

Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) is half-hardy (RHS H2). It survives a mild winter outdoors in a sheltered spot, but a hard frost kills it — so in colder zones it is lifted, potted, or grown as a tender plant. Borderline outdoors. In its mild end of USDA 9-11 (and sheltered UK gardens) philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) can stay out; in colder areas it must be lifted, brought in, or treated as a frost-tender plant.

What is the minimum temperature philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) can survive?

What hardiness zone is philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)?

Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) is rated USDA 9-11 and RHS H2 — Tender — survives a frost-free greenhouse or a very mild, sheltered spot.

Can philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) survive winter outside?

It can live outside year-round only in the mildest, most sheltered part of USDA 9-11 or a frost-free UK microclimate. In colder zones, grow it in a pot you can move under cover, or lift its tubers/roots and store them frost-free over winter. A south-facing wall, free-draining soil and a dry winter position can push it a full zone hardier than the books suggest.

How do I protect philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) from frost?

Mulch the crown or root zone deeply with bark, straw or leaf-mould before the first hard frost. Move container plants against a warm wall or into an unheated but frost-free porch or greenhouse. Fleece the top growth on the coldest nights, and keep it on the dry side — dry roots survive cold far better than wet ones. Lift dahlia-type tubers or tender crowns after the first light frost blackens the foliage and store them somewhere cool but frost-free.