Most Philos are epiphiteic or hemiepiphetic, a small number are terrestrial. I'm still not sure which type heart-leaf is, and there seems to be several almost identical plants, or synonyms, not sure. So not sure which my plant is, or that the discrepancies would matter in regard to which type it is.

"Secondary hemiepiphytes don't always start their lives close to a tree. For these philodendrons, what happens is that the plant will grow with long internodes along the ground until a tree is found. They find a suitable tree by means of growing towards darker areas such as the dark shadow of a tree. This trait is called scototropism. After a tree has been found, the scototropic behavior stops and the philodendron switches to a phototropic growth habit and the internodes shorten and thicken. Usually, however, philodendrons germinate on trees." - Wiki Philodendron article.

What? Germinate? Anyone ever have HL Philo flowers? Other Philo flowers? I know they look like Caladium or peace lily flowers but have never seen one in person.

Just like Monsteras, this sentence in the Wiki entry for Monstera deliciosa, "Wild seedlings grow towards the darkest area they can find until they find a tree trunk, then start to grow up towards the light, creeping up the tree." Never had one of these, they're always expensive. How strange, plants growing AWAY from the light. Makes sense though if the mission is to find a trunk to climb. Fascinating. Anyone noticed this? I move plants way too often to notice this from Philos.

Thought I knew about Syngoniums until I read the other day how they change dramatically upon maturity, changing leaf shape AND type! Not clear if dangling would induce this, or if it needs to be supported climbing? Who has a plant like this?

Then there's Hedera helix which also is supposed to completely change leaves if it makes it to the top of a tree in the right climate. Anyone ever have a potted specimen that "changed into maturity?"

Someone posted pic of an older Pothos on a support earlier this week and I noticed now big the leaves were on it. Made me wonder if being on the support was the reason for the exceptionally big leaves. Seems like similar stuff.

I'm going to start doing more with growing this stuff UP instead of dangling down. Please share your thoughts and experiences in this realm.

When I first saw Philodendron (scandens/heart-shape) and Pothos growing upright, actually on trunks of palm trees,(conservatory) their huge leaves drew my attention. I thought both were different species.

Long ago I read, 'plant book,' growing either plant upright, staked, will produce larger leaves. It was then I realized these two plants were not different species. A light bulb popped in my head. lol, but I was was unsuccessful growing either staked.

Most of the time, the stake would fall out of soil.

That darn wind! :) How much larger did Philo leaves get opposed to average size...hanging?

HD sometimes sells Pothos on a foot-long piece of bark. Leaves are approximately 3-5 times larger, but, unless the vine is constantly trimmed to the height of the bark, where would it go? Only option is to unwind the vine, and replace w/taller bark.

Don't know if Pothos are terrestrial or hemiepiphyte. Good question.

I had a Monstera, 'Split-Leaf,' that flowered once, but never produced fruit. Flowers are insigificant, 'looks', but I was very very happy!
Yep, flowers resembled Peace Lily.

Nope, can't say I ever had/noticed a plant heading opposite light.
Normally, lower light plants, 'ferns,' wilt, instead of turning away from sun.

There was a discussion about plants changing shape, here on House Plant Forum a couple months ago.
The plant mentioned was Hedera/Ivy.
Didn't know Syngoniums changed, too. Wonder what they look like??

What will you use to grow upright? Toni

The Philo leaves were twice as big as the others, about 7".

I plan to use a lot of things as supports, whatever's handy... tomato cage comes to mind, maybe painted green, since I have some already.

Philodendron scandens (heart-shape) and Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) are not the same speicies but E aureum is sometimes sold as a heart leaf Philo. All Philodendrons are native to the new world and Epipremnum are native to the south pacific and asia. they are more closely related to Monstera then to Philodendron. Epipremnum are considered epiphytes.

Almost all aroids change from their juvenile form to a mature form as they grow. The leaves grow larger and many also change shape. Often they change so much that many have been misidentified in the juvenile form which is part of the reason that many aroids are known by more then one name. If you keep pruning new growth off of the plant they will not grow into a mature from. If you can get a cutting of mature growth and root it, it will usually continue in the mature from

Syngonium will also change as they mature but most of the time people don't give them something to climb so they stay small. They usually look similar to Philodendrons as they get larger.

dellis, thanks for the interesting info. I used to have a Syngonium that hung down a few feet but never changed leaves. It faded away in a dark apartment unfortunately.

Randy

Jim

Syngonium is a bit of a curse. You can't get rid of it and it just smothers trees. The juvenile leaves are pretty much heart shaped but the mature leaves are palmate. When you try to clear an area of syngonium any bits of root that get left behind grow into new plants. That's what makes them so impossible to get rid of. That and the fact if you throw them in the compost they just keep growing. I put them in bags in a deep freeze for about a week (just to make sure).

Many philos are vining epiphytes and not too rampant. I have P. lacerum which grows fairly large and looks nice in trees without really smothering them. Another is P. erubescens Red Emerald. Epipremnum pinnatum is another good one that climbs well without becoming too over bearing. There's quite a lot out there.

Randy, that's incredible, what a beautiful leaf! Love the color!

bossjim, that's one of the prettiest spots I've ever seen in TX! And what a vine - wow!

Thanks to you both for sharing these pics!

Found another page with interesting info & great pics of Syngoniums from Australian government.

Purple, I guess we'd have to move further south, way further for me, lol, before growing Pothos/Philos like those in Fl. Boo hoo. :)

Do all viney Philodendron grow larger leaves when climbing a tree, etc?

Randi, is the leaf you're holding a Golden Pothos?
Your garden is lovely. I like the idea of brick opposed to grass. Much neater, less chance of insects, 'eg, ANTS,' and no mowing. lol. Terrific. Toni

It depends primarily on available sunlight and age, but if growing below trees will behave more or less as you've described in Philodendron (I don't know about scototropism, but I wouldn't be shocked if it does home in on trees, given that it's known for destroying them in some areas).

From this to this

This vine used to be mostly on a different, larger trunk. After a drastic repot last spring and loss of that trunk this winter, this is the climbing situation at present.

The smallest, original-size leaves (but of course not the actual same leaves still on the plant after 17 years!) are still around.

The current largest leaves.

This particular philo doesn't use this tree in any way except for support, and I have to guide the vines to go higher. Some of the older aerial roots were almost 3 feet from where they left the vine down to the soil.

I don't know if one could obtain maturity on such a short support, or any support of a small enough size to be brought inside for winter, or for what plants, or if I won't accidentally break something in a bad place trying to repot in the future... But the bigGER leaves are cool, if that's all that happens, and finding out by doing sounds like a blast. The pics & anecdotes are inspiring too!

Randy

There's still a bucket'o'vines that I haven't got anywhere to put at the moment.

When I started unwinding and untangling this, it was like it was multiplying in my hands. It took a couple hours to sort it all out, then select the pieces with the biggest leaves to put in the above pots. There was a surprisingly, shockingly TINY amount of roots supporting all of the foliage.

Also snapped some pics of sweet potato vine's different leaves. The first two are from plants in the ground that came back from last year. The third pic is from a cutting taken last Nov and overwintered. Interestingly, both indoor and outdoor plants started by growing heart-shaped leaves this spring, but 2-4x as big on the outdoor plants.

Would love to see any vine plants out there growing on supports of any type.

This Philo has started dropping aerial roots really fast since being wound around this support a few months ago. I've got to find something taller next spring, ceilings in here are 8 ft...

Purple...your Philo is green, healthy and tall. What will you use next spring when it's taller?

There's difference size plastic, bamboo or moss poles to consider.

Yes, mature ivy blooms. That's why it's invasive.

I've wondered, for a while, now, what, exactly, causes vining aroids to "mature." Is it the direction (growing UP vs. growing in a level or downward direction), or is it the formation of aerial roots and the additional moisture and nutrients these provide? (Or a combination of growth direction and aerial-root formation, or something else?) Do those of you who grow these in containers, as houseplants, see larger leaves just by growing the plants up a support, or do your plants all have aerial roots, as well, that rooted into the support or into the ground?

I live in a place that has cathedral ceilings with north-facing skylights. I dream about getting some really tall poles or supports (that's challenge #1--where to find or build something like that, and get it home/into my living space) and growing various aroids up to my ceiling. Other challenges: how to maintain such an arrangement. I live in the middle of the city and a lot of dust and stuff blows in my windows. I don't know how I'd clean the leaves of plants growing 15 ft up. And repotting...?

The farthest I've gone with this vision is to grow Philo 'Bloody Mary' on my open staircase. I placed the pot at the top of the staircase and the plant's growing downward, not very enthusiastically, though. After reading this thread, I got the idea to put the pot on the floor and tie the vines UP the railings. We'll see what happens.

I'd love to know how much--if any--damage those roots would do to an interior wall (she said with a dangerous gleam in her eye...that would be easier to maintain than a plant on a giant totem...)

Having finally, after several failed attempts, managed to root some cuttings of my Scindapsus pictus, I want to try them on a totem since this plant is a "shingler."

Amanda

I'm not going to leave that root or plant there, should be going outside in a couple weeks. I've been watching it, it's done that within the past week. If I wasn't too lazy to get a chair so I could reach it and loop it back down, it wouldn't be creeping toward the door. Smart plant, wants to get back outside.

If you had a big bad vine attached to stuff, I think you could repot it in place. It would just take 2 people, one to hold the plant up a bit while the other knocks off the old soil and slides the new pot under it. Love your plan to grow UP the stairs instead of down. Makes sense for a plant to be more enthusiastic about its' chances of reaching a treetop, so more vigorous about growing up. That's why, I think, the dangling Pothos never make bigger leaves. There are pics of Pothos on moss poles only 3-4 ft. tall with much bigger leaves than a regular hanging plant.

Not sure the same triggers are required for all vines to produce mature leaves. May not be possible for all vines "in captivity." I do know that attaching to the tiny trunk of a Dracaena tree for a few years caused heart-leaf Philo to make MUCH bigger leaves. Not even sure if that's all this Philo can do. Sure is fun to watch it though.

Toni, your bamboo idea is super! There are several canes laying by the fence, about 10-12 feet I think. Just need to make short enough to fit inside. Awesome idea.

Keep us informed please!

The aerial roots do hold the plants to whatever they're climbing and do provide nutrients to the upper portions of the plant, whether they are necessary for mature growth though? I'm not sure, I've seen very large epiprenums and philodendrons attached to concrete with only a few roots reaching the soil. Some people cut them off but I train them down to the soil.

Danny

Really hope asarumgreenpanda does her experiment and stays in touch with updates, I'm all ate up with anxious expectations now. Hey, forgot to say yesterday, let me know if you need some material. I have at least half a dozen pots of this stuff besides the 2 really big climbing experiment ones.

Found another of these vines in a hanging basket attached to the wall this morning too. Spring, please get here soon, this is starting to creep me out...

Now to get Pothos and Syngonium going like this...

Danny, thank you for the information, on this and other threads. Your pictures are truly inspiring--beautiful plants and such an inviting jungle.

If I had more space, I'd try an experiment, growing several plants and treating the aerial roots on each in a different manner. Not enough room here, though.

Purple, your plants look like they're ready to take over the world--how wonderful.Thanks so much for the offer of material. It's too cold here, still. (In fact, I feel like your vines, climbing the walls in my eagerness for spring.) I'd be happy to trade things in a couple of months.

But, um, *which* experiment? I dream up at least one each hour during winter. :) I appreciate the encouragement, in any case.

Here's day one of one experiment. I chopped off about 1/2 of this Philo 'Bloody Mary' (at least I believe that's what it is) and twist-tied it to my stair railing. Looks a straggly mess, I know. I'm hoping to be able to post some good 'after' pictures.

I potted up most of the 'Bloody Mary' cuttings, and stuck them, as well as a pot of P. 'Pink Princess' cuttings, on the other corner of the newel post in the photo. I'll get them twist-tied up the railings as they grow--or that's my plan.

I did not mean to take over your thread, Purple, and can start another one, if you think that would be better.

Amanda

Anyhoo purp,the idea was that you would be able to take the plant outside board and all...not too sure how well I communicated that. :)

Amanda, I love your contribution! Of course you can start another thread if you want, but hope you'll post updates here too. This is exactly the kind of experiment I was hoping people would discuss and be inspired to try, although I didn't expect to be so jealous of an INDOOR space. Awesome space, experiment, plant!!

Philo 'Micans' baby is slowly getting started up this tiny home-made trellis. ("Before pic" is upthread, Oct. 19 '12.)

I also want a monstera deliciosa and a monstera obliqua to fall out of the sky into my lap, but I guess we don't always get what we want.

I love the idea of covering the walls with philos. i imagine it would take many years, but with a lattice or some kind of form you could totally do it. Then wall of foliage could be inside.

it's in a 4 liter bucket and I water it once a week with a liter of water and you can see by the stains, I just let it evaporate without draining it but I believe it is using most of the water since it is gone within a day or two, faster than water just sitting out usually evaporates.

It also is on a shelf that is directly over a kiln that runs between 1000f and 1500f a day or two a week so every now and then it gets a little cooked. Most of the vines are between 6 and 8 feet long but a couple are around 12 feet long. The leaves are rarely over 2-1/2 -3-1/2", Maybe once it is grow up the windows it'll grow bigger leaves.

I found an older thread with some inspiring photos and information from Steve Lucas:

So, I went cork hunting today. I found quite a few options--cork tiles (made to put on a wall), a 2'x4' roll of the stuff, little 8" square trivets that I'll also attach to the wall. I'm excited to try this experiment. Because I'm sort-of commitment-phobic when it comes to permanent accessorizing--I like to be able to move things around--I decided to attach the cork to the walls with strong velcro. That way, I can take them down if I need to, or move them slightly if I want to repot to a larger pot. I hope that will work.

Now I'm placing aroids along the walls. I decided which wall to grow my 'Pink Princess' Philo on, and I I've settled a big 'Marble Queen' Epipremnum. There are a bunch of others...I'll take pictures when I figure it out and get everybody placed.

Amanda

http://www.corkstore.com/

Oh and this would be another option. I ran across this link the other day.

Tropicbreeze, your photos are always a treat; thanks for linking to the threads. I especially loved the P. erubescens--that's one of my favorite plants--and the P. tenue--another of my favorites.

I am wondering how much depth I should allow for my Monstera deliciosa. In other words, if it climbs up cork attached to a wall, how much will it stick out from the wall, do you think?

Amanda

Meanwhile the ones in my room have required a redirect when I caught them trying to grab hold of the walls. Tempting as it is to let them have their way or provide tghem with a support I instead sent them back across the fishing lines,chains,wire hooks,etc that sprawl the ceiling area. Once I get a camera that will do the job well enough to do it justice I will have to post pics.

I like your idea using a PVC tube but that stuff might be hard to staple through. You might find it easier to glue it on with aquarium cement or tie it with a black nylon cord.

Has anyone done well with getting mature leaf form inside?

Quick question:
Anyone here actually know just how big the philo scandens leaves get once mature? Having never seen one I'm kinda in the dark here.

Quick question:
Anyone here actually know just how big the philo scandens leaves get once mature? Having never seen one I'm kinda in the dark here.

They look pretty big in the pic. Kinda hard to tell just HOW big though,yaknow?

Asleep, yes, I agree.

Same as above only in regard to scindapsus pictus.

Makes me all tingly! lol