The silver leaf philodendron is a climbing, herbaceous, and perennial species known for its ornamental foliage. It is native to Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname, and Venezuela in South America, where it thrives under the canopy of equatorial forests. This plant features an ascending stem partially covered by adhering cataphylls from the already developed leaves and aerial roots that attach to tree trunks and other structures. As the plant attaches to a support and matures, its leaves gradually become larger.
The leaves are green, leathery, glossy, large (4.7 to 7.9 inches long), heart-shaped, with silver spots on the upper surface, giving each leaf a unique pattern. They have prominent, green, and slightly raised veins that create an interesting contrast with the spots. The lower side of the leaves is light green with reddish veins. Each leaf is supported by a long, erect, pinkish, rough petiole that is winged when young and becomes more wrinkled, flattened, and wingless with age. The inflorescences are occasional, in the form of a spadix, with a white to purple spathe, appearing on short stalks and hidden beneath the foliage. Discussions among botanists and enthusiasts suggest that Philodendron sodiroi is a variety of P. ornatum, as they are extremely similar plants, differing only in leaf markings in P. sodiroi.
In gardens, the silver leaf philodendron can be grown in masses in partial shade, preferably protected under the canopy of trees, allowing it to climb for a tropical forest effect. However, it is more commonly cultivated in pots or planters, where the unique leaf patterns can be appreciated up close, adorning different areas of the house. This beautiful philodendron can be brought to balconies, living rooms, winter gardens, offices, etc., always in environments protected from direct sunlight. It is a favorite among urban gardeners, popularized by the “urban jungle” trend. However, it is still rare in cultivation and has slow to moderate growth, which contributes to its high prices. Overall, the silver leaf philodendron is easy to grow and requires simple maintenance, including the removal of dead and yellowing leaves and cleaning accumulated dust from the leaves with a clean, damp cloth or a cold shower.
It should be grown in partial shade or filtered light and prefers substrates suitable for anthuriums, i.e., lightweight, fibrous, well-draining, and with good moisture retention capacity. Avoid exposing the plant to direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day, as this can result in irreversible leaf burns. The silver leaf philodendron thrives in temperatures between 16 and 27°C (60-80°F) with humidity above 60%. Therefore, in temperate or subtropical climates, it’s important to move the plant indoors or to humid greenhouses during the winter. In dry climates, you can use trays with water, using stones to keep the pot out of the water, or an electric humidifier to supplement the room’s humidity.
Do not allow the substrate to dry out completely between waterings, keeping it moist but never waterlogged. It does not tolerate intense cold, frost, or drought. Provide adequate support for the plant’s development, preferably one that remains moist to encourage rooting. Fertilization should occur in spring and summer, using liquid fertilizers with NPK formulations suitable for foliage plants or slow-release fertilizers such as Basacote or Osmocote, always following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Propagation is done by stem cuttings, which can be rooted at any time of the year.
