Plant care
Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron)temperature & humidity
Philodendron bipinnatifidum (syn. Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum, P. selloum)
More about philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)
Ideal temperature for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)
Temperature kills fewer philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) plants than you'd think. What kills them is the micro-climate within a normal-temperature room — a leaf pressed against single-glazed winter glass, the hot dry updraft directly above a radiator, the cold blast from an AC vent. The thermostat reading at 18-27°C (65-80°F) is fine; the spot you put the plant in matters more. Below roughly 18°C the damage starts — soft blackened patches, translucent leaves, sometimes overnight.
Cold tolerance & winter care
Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) is frost-tender (USDA 9-11, RHS H2 (tolerates 1-5°C; grow under glass in the UK)). It cannot survive a frost, so in most of the US and UK it lives indoors year-round or summers outside and comes back in well before the first autumn frost — once nights drop toward 10-12°C is the cue, not the first frost warning. Acclimate it over a week when moving between indoors and out so the leaves do not shock.
Humidity for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)
Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) sits happiest at around 50-60% relative humidity. As a Brazilian rainforest native it prefers moderate to high humidity, ideally 50-60%. It tolerates average room humidity but rewards extra moisture with larger, glossier leaves. Group it with other plants or stand the pot on a damp pebble tray; the RHS notes daily misting is beneficial, though good airflow is needed to prevent fungal leaf spots. The usual low-humidity tell is crisp brown leaf tips and edges while the soil moisture is fine — a sign the air, not the watering, is the problem. If you need to raise it, the reliable methods are grouping plants together, standing the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (the pot above the waterline, never in it), or running a small humidifier in winter when indoor heating dries the air most. Misting is the least effective — it raises humidity for minutes, not hours.
Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) temperature & humidity — frequently asked questions
What temperature is best for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)?
Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) grows best between 18-27°C (65-80°F). Keep it out of cold draughts, off freezing windowsills in winter, and away from the hot dry air directly above radiators — the extremes matter far more than the average room temperature.
How cold can philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) tolerate?
Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) starts to suffer below roughly 18°C. It is frost-tender and will be damaged or killed by a frost, so bring it indoors once nights fall toward 10-12°C.
What humidity does philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) need?
Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) prefers about 50-60% relative humidity. As a Brazilian rainforest native it prefers moderate to high humidity, ideally 50-60%. It tolerates average room humidity but rewards extra moisture with larger, glossier leaves. Group it with other plants or stand the pot on a damp pebble tray; the RHS notes daily misting is beneficial, though good airflow is needed to prevent fungal leaf spots.
How do I raise humidity for philodendron selloum (tree philodendron)?
Group it with other plants, stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles (kept above the waterline), or run a small humidifier in winter. Misting only helps for a few minutes, so it is the weakest option for a plant that genuinely needs more humidity.
Can philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) live outside?
Philodendron Selloum (Tree Philodendron) is rated for USDA zone 9-11 and RHS hardiness H2 (tolerates 1-5°C; grow under glass in the UK). Outside that range it must come indoors before the first frost — treat any outdoor stint as a summer holiday, not a permanent home.
More philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) care
In the UK? Keeping philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) warm in a UK home covers the radiator, single-glazing and heating-season humidity angle. Temperature and humidity are one piece. See the full philodendron selloum (tree philodendron) care guide, its cold-hardiness guide, and watering schedule — humidity and watering problems are easy to confuse.