Soil & potting mix

Best soil for Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) (Philodendron bipinnatifidum (syn. Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum, P. selloum))

Also called Tree philodendron, Selloum, Lacy tree philodendron, Horsehead philodendron, Hope philodendron, Split-leaf philodendron.

More about philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)

Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) soil at a glance

Best mix	Rich, free-draining aroid mix
Light	Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)
Ideal temperature	18-27°C (65-80°F)
Watering	When the top 2-3cm of compost feels dry, roughly weekly in summer

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.

Preferred mix: Rich, free-draining aroid mix

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.

Why philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) needs this mix

Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) is a climbing rainforest aroid — it wants a chunky, bark-heavy mix full of air pockets, not a dense soil that packs around its thick roots.

In the wild philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) climbs trees with thick, partly aerial roots that expect air as much as moisture — bark and perlite recreate that open structure.
A chunky mix drains fast but the coir and compost still hold a steady reservoir between waterings, which suits its "moist then slightly dry" rhythm.
The big air gaps stop the dense, fast-growing root mass from compacting and choking itself.

For the full picture on what makes up a good mix, see our guide to the main types of soil and potting media — it explains why each ingredient above behaves the way it does.

What goes wrong with the wrong mix

The wrong soil is one of the most common reasons philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) struggles, and the damage often shows up weeks later as a watering problem. For this species specifically:

Plain bagged compost packs tight around philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)'s thick roots, holds water in the centre and triggers the yellow-leaf-then-mushy-stem rot pattern.
A fine, peaty mix with no bark leaves the roots gasping — growth slows and new leaves come out small and without fenestration.
Too much moss or water-retaining additive keeps the core permanently wet and invites fungus gnats.

Using ordinary potting soil with no bark or perlite. Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) needs roughly half its volume as chunky, airy material — that single change fixes most "mystery decline".

pH — does it matter for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)?

Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) prefers a slightly acidic mix, around pH 5.5-6.5, which a peat-free compost-and-bark blend lands on naturally. It is not fussy enough to need testing in practice.

If you want to check or adjust it, the soil pH guide walks through testing and the safe ways to nudge a mix more acidic or more alkaline.

DIY mix vs a bagged one

Bagged "aroid mix" is now widely sold and is a fine shortcut for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron), but check it actually contains visible bark and perlite — many are just rebranded compost. Mixing your own from the ratio above guarantees the structure.

Drainage and the pot

Any pot with a drainage hole works because the chunky mix does the draining. A pot only a little larger than the rootball avoids a wet, unused core; add a moss pole and the climbing roots will thank you.

Bark breaks down over time, so refresh the mix for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) every 12-18 months even if the pot size is still fine — spent, sludgy bark is a common hidden cause of decline. When the time comes, our repotting guide for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) covers the timing and technique step by step.

Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) soil — frequently asked questions

What is the best soil mix for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)?

2 parts peat-free houseplant compost or coco coir : 2 parts orchid bark (fine-medium) : 1 part perlite : 1 part horticultural charcoal. In the wild philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) climbs trees with thick, partly aerial roots that expect air as much as moisture — bark and perlite recreate that open structure.

Can I use normal potting soil for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)?

Plain bagged compost packs tight around philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)'s thick roots, holds water in the centre and triggers the yellow-leaf-then-mushy-stem rot pattern. Bagged "aroid mix" is now widely sold and is a fine shortcut for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron), but check it actually contains visible bark and perlite — many are just rebranded compost. Mixing your own from the ratio above guarantees the structure.

Does philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) need a special pH?

Should I buy a bagged mix or make my own for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)?

How often should I refresh the soil for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)?

Bark breaks down over time, so refresh the mix for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) every 12-18 months even if the pot size is still fine — spent, sludgy bark is a common hidden cause of decline. Any pot with a drainage hole works because the chunky mix does the draining. A pot only a little larger than the rootball avoids a wet, unused core; add a moss pole and the climbing roots will thank you.