Philodendron Tortum also called Philodendron Bipinattifidum, is an evergreen plant from the Arum family, Araceae. These plants are more so often grown as household plants. They grow in various forms, such as vines and epiphytes, but mostly bushes. The leaves of these plants resemble a skeleton by the way they grow. They can reach about 6 meters in height. Philodendron Tortum also sometimes called the “tree-loving,” is a low maintenance easy to take care of plant. They not only add a pop of color into your living space but also bring significant benefits to them. These plants neutralize poisons frequently found indoors such as benzene, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide, and keep the air clean and toxin-free.
Classification
- Family: Arum
- Subfamily: Araceae
- Genus: Philodendron
- Species: Tortum
About the Genus Philodendron
The collecting of this species began in early 1644 by Georg Markgraf, but Charles Plumier performed the first scientific attempt that proved successful, he managed to collect about six different species. Various efforts have been made by different people like N.J Jacquin to collect more species. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott created the genus Philodendron and described it in 1829. There are a total number of 800 species known up till now. All of them come in different colors, shapes, and sizes. These plants are used worldwide in homes and offices as greenery to brighten the space by adding a pop of color to the space.
The Top 5 Most Popular Philodendron Plants Are:
- Bloody Mary Philodendron
- Philodendron Florida Ghost
- Velvetleaf Plant
- Philodendron Squamiferum
- Philodendron White Knight
Common Names and Synonyms
- Philodendron Tortum
- Black disk Medick
- Button Clover
- Button Medick
- Round-fruited Medick
Origin and Distribution
The genus Philodendron is mostly found in diverse habitats such as in tropical America and the West Indies. These plants prefer the humid weather in the tropical forests but survive equally well as indoor plants. They usually grow on riverbanks and in swamps. They are mostly used as house plants in areas of sunlight and warmth. But they do prefer a tropical or subtropical area to live.
Structures and Features of Philodendron Tortum
Foliage and Stem
These plants can grow up to about 6 meters in height. They have narrow thin leaves that resemble skeleton fingers. The color of the leaves is green, and the texture is glossy and sleek. The leaves are long and narrow, with spaces in between each of about 1-1.5 inches. The plant grows about <70 cm wide.
Evergreen
These plants are said to be evergreen, which means they stay green throughout the year for as long as they live. Any change in season will produce no effect on the plant’s shape size and color. This characteristic is always favorable in those plants which are meant to be kept inside the house where there is no direct access to sunlight.
Height
Generally, these plants tend to grow in various ways, which also differentiates their height. The average height this plant produces is about 6 meters in length.
Temperature Tolerance
These plants do not ideally like the cold weather, so it is best to place them in a warm and slightly humid environment. The warm and moist environment favors the growth of these plants and helps them survive well. These plants must be kept at a temperature range of about 15-30 degrees Celsius. It must be kept in mind that they will fall ill in the cold, and also environments with direct sunlight will kill the plant as well.
Humidity Tolerance
These plants are all about the humidity. They love to grow in tropical and humid environments. They survive best in humid air, which favors their growth. These plants can tolerate 60-80% humidity both day and night.
Flowers
These plants do not produce any type of flowers. But they are nonetheless beautiful without them. They make a great plant to keep in your house and also to keep alive.
Drought Resistance
Keeping in mind that these plants are humid-loving, common sense tells us that they will not survive in drought-like conditions. So, it suggested that they should not be kept in arid and warm conditions or will fall ill and die.
Pressure Tolerance
Like all plants, these are also very fragile and will die if stepped on or put under high pressure. It is best to grow them in an open area away from a crowd. These plants cannot tolerate closed, tiny spaces without any free space to grow.
Disease Resistant
These plants are not disease resistant. Numerous bacteria can evade the plant and kill them. We can detect a bacterial infection by examining the leaves, the leaves start to look brown at the edges, spots on the leaf, leaf blights, and also tip burns. If your plant is infected, you must isolate it from the other plants and remove the infected leaf.
Pest Resistance
Every once in a while, different pests may visit your plant and harm them. Some pests that affect the plant are Aphids, Mealy Bugs, Scales, and Spider Mites. You must keep the pests away from the plants by ensuring there is no water sitting in the soil for too long. There should not be water droplets on the surface of the leaves because that attracts pests very quickly. Keep a close eye on your plants daily and sift through them every once in a while. Doing this will control the spread of pests. If you do happen to find pests, use an insecticide spray to kill or get rid of the pests before they destroy your plant.
Growth
Tortums are fast-growing Philodendrons. If these plants are cared for properly, they tend to grow very rapidly. But the growth rate depends solely on the conditions they are kept in. Also, don’t be too concerned if the growth rate is slow during the winter season because that is normal.
Toxicity
These plants contain a chemical called Calcium Oxalate, which is generally hazardous to your health. If swallowed or put into the mouth, it will irritate the mouth and the esophagus. If swallowed, they will cause burning and swelling of the lips, tongue, and throat, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Durability
These plants are highly durable and easy to maintain. They last a long while and do not die out. They are evergreen plants, so they never lose their color, re-potting Is not necessary.
Maintenance
Philodendron Tortum is a low-maintenance plant, which is why it is suitable for beginners. These plants do not require much effort to keep them alive, so almost anyone can take care of them without letting them die out. Because of its low maintenance quality, all house plant enthusiasts are in love with it.
Dormancy
Dormancy means the plant is sleeping, so it is best if we don’t need water or fertilize it in this phase. In cold weather, this plant will go into the dormancy stage and sleep for weeks before starting its regrowth into the new season. During this phase, very little care is required, and it is best to let the plant be.
Philodendron Tortum Care
Give the plant water and food frequently, and keep them in humid, warm, and well-lit environments. These requirements are, however, decreased during the winter season. Plant the Tortums in well-drained soil with a pH of about 7 kept at room temperature.
Philodendron Tortum Care Summary
| Watering | Once soil feels dry |
| Soil | Neutral pH (7) and well-draining soil. |
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect sunlight. |
| Humidity | 60%-80% |
| Temperature | 65-77 °F |
| Growth Zone | 9 to 12 |
Water Requirements
The plant must be watered deeply when the soil starts to feel even the slightest of dry. The pot must be drained quickly, and no water should ever be left standing in the pot. In winter, the plant must only be watered sparingly and increase the duration between each watering to let the soil dry a bit more than usual. Droopy leaves indicate that the plant is getting too much or less water. So, it is advised to keep on a schedule to avoid such problems.
Soil
These plants should be potted in large pots because of how much they grow. The soil should be fresh and fertilized and at a steady temperature above 10 degrees Celsius at the least. The preferable temperatures are 65-77 °F, in which the plant will thrive. A neutral pH (around 7) and good draining capabilities will do great things for your Philodendron.
Sunlight Requirements
Philodendron Tortum needs medium light. It must be noted that direct sunlight will damage or even kill the plant. This plant grows best in bright open spaces. Special attention must be given to the spot they are keto inside of the home. Near a window where the sun never actually touches the foliage is probably the best place to let them sit and do their thing. If you are doing everything correctly and the leaves are still yellowing, do not worry. Older leaves tend to yellow and fall off, making a place for new leaves.
Humidity
These plants grow best in humid places that are warm and moist. The best saturation of humidity required in the air is 60-80%, which is the most optimal and favorable condition. Extra measures taken to provide the plant with moisture are always appreciated and help the plant thrive and grow at rapid speeds. Some methods to increase the humidity in the environment are, planting them in pebble trays, and misting the plants to provide moisture with fine prays of water.
Fertilizer Requirements
Philodendron houseplants require a balanced fertilizer feed to survive. The suggested fertilizer contains macro-nutrients and is in the form of liquid foliage. It said to water the plant with the fertilizer monthly in the spring and summer seasons and every 6-8 weeks in winter and fall. Small leaves and prolonged growth rates show that the plant is not getting the fertilizer it requires.
Re-potting
Generally, there is no need for re-potting if you initially used a large pot to plant it in. But if a smaller pot is used and the plant is growing rapidly, you may need to change the pot’s size by re-potting the plant into a larger one to make room for it to grow larger and thrive. The re-potting can be done in early spring when the plant is starting to leave its sleeping stage called dormancy.
Grooming and Pruning
As we know, the philodendron plant grows very rapidly and also very long, so it is beneficial to cut back the leaves if they start to take up too much space in the room. The trimming makes the plant look much neater and more beautiful than evasive and scattered. Pruning is advised to be done in early spring after dormancy. In other words, you can give your plant a trim from the yellowing of the old leaves every now and then, as required.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a few key differences between Philodendron tortum and Philodendron elegans. Philodendron tortum is native to Colombia, while Philodendron elegans is found in Brazil. Philodendron tortum is also distinguished by its deeply lobed leaves, which are dark green in color with bronze highlights. Meanwhile, Philodendron elegans has thinner, more lanceolate leaves that are light green with silver-tinged edges. When it comes to size, Philodendron tortum can reach up to 3 feet in length, while Philodendron elegans is typically smaller, only growing to 2 feet in length at most.
Yes, Philodendron tortum is a rare plant. It’s native to South America and isn’t often seen in cultivation. If you’re lucky enough to find one for sale, be prepared to pay a high price!
Philodendron Tortum Propagation
Tortum plants can be cultivated and propagated using stem cuttings. All you have to do is take an appropriate size of stem, with leaves attached, and plant it in the right potting mix. Then, let the cutting grow into a beautiful plant.
- Start by using a sharp knife to cut a piece of stem about 3-8 inches long.
- Remove all leaves from cutting except for about two to three.
- Place the cutting in moist vermiculite or in special potting soil.
- Note! No leaf should be buried in the rooting medium.
- Place the container in a place that is bright but not under direct sunlight. The leaves are prone to sun-damage.
- Let sit for 2-3 weeks until they sprout.
Timeline
Week 1: Plant the cutting into a suitable soil mix and mist it to keep it moist under sunlight but not direct sunlight and all the suitable conditions.
Week 2-3: Roots will finally start to sprout by this time. Now you can shift it to the bigger pot and change its water and fertilizer routines accordingly.
After Week 3: It will take many weeks and even months until the newly potted plant is grown fully, and it thrives like the rest of the adult plants. Patience, care, and love are a virtue at this point to help the plant do its best to reach optimum wellness.
Philodendron Tortum for Sale
If you are planning to buy one of these plants, remember that the plant should be perfectly healthy before you purchase it. Any abnormalities need to be noticed before you take the plant home to the other botanical creatures. Examine the Philodendron thoroughly. Look around and underneath the plant, its leaves, and stems for any signs of bugs, diseases, or infections, as well as abnormal growths and patches on the surface of the plant.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, these plants are the best bet for anyone that is looking to start keeping plants in their homes. This plant is a beginner’s plant and Is low maintenance, and anyone can keep it alive with minimal effort. It adds a freshness to any space it is kept in and has beautiful-looking leaves that drape the floor or anything you put it on. In experts’ opinion, this plant is a hit, and a must-have in all households if you want a plant but are too lazy to keep it maintained.
