Split Leaf Elephant Ear Plant: What Is A Selloum Philodendron

A great indoor plant for colder climates and a stunning landscape element for sub-tropical gardens, Philodendron selloum, is an easy plant to grow. You get a lot of plant for minimal effort, as it will grow into a large shrub or small tree with large, decorative leaves and requires little care. Read on to learn more about these “split-leaf” philodendron plants

What is a Selloum Philodendron?

Philodendron selloum is also known as split-leaf philodendron and split-leaf elephant ear. It belongs to the group of philodendron plants that are among the most common of houseplants for their ability thrive and still be ignored. A green thumb is generally not required to grow philodendrons successfully, in other words. Split-leaf philodendron plants grow quite large, up to ten feet (3 meters) high and 15 feet (4.5 meters) wide. This type of philodendron grows a tree-like trunk, but the overall growth habit is more like a large shrub. The real standout feature of split-leaf elephant ear philodendron is the foliage. The leaves are large and a dark, glossy green. They have deep lobes, hence the name “split-leaf,” and can be up to three feet (one meter) long. These plants will grow a simple flower, but not for a decade or more after planting.

Split-Leaf Philodendron Care

Growing this philodendron indoors is easy as long as you give it a large enough container and size up as it grows. It will need a spot with indirect light and regular watering to thrive. Outdoors split-leaf philodendron is hardy in zones 8b through 11. It prefers to have rich soil that stays moist but doesn’t flood or have standing water. It likes full sun, but it will also grow well in partial shade and indirect light. Keep the soil moist. The split-leaf variety of philodendron is a stunning plant that makes a great foundation planting in a warm garden, but that also does well in containers. It can be the centerpiece of a room or add a tropical element poolside.