Discover the history of philodendron. Certain varieties of this beautiful plant have been enjoyed for centuries as an indoor plant. The plant has even been used as an artistic muse.
#HealthyHouseplants #Philodendrons #IndoorGardening #Houseplants #PlantCare #GardeningTips #TropicalPlants #PlantHistory #EpiphyticPlants #PlantLovers
Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. If you’d like to support our show, please use our Amazon affiliate link below.
Today is another installment of plant stories. This one is on the philodendron family of plants. I do have a care video on them; this is about their history, how they were discovered, and that sort of thing.
Here are some beautiful philodendrons. You can see the philodendron cordatum, and there’s the two of these heart-leaf philodendrons. The botanical name is philodendron scandens, and then there’s a philodendron Birkin. So, a really pretty family of plants. As I mentioned, I do go into their care in another video. In this video, I’d like to talk about their history a little bit.
There are approximately 489 species of philodendron, and they are discovering new plants all the time. The plant is a member of the Araceae family. The plant originates from the Caribbean, Venezuela, and Colombia. Though there are hundreds of species, only about 10 are grown indoors as houseplants at this time.
The plant is known to have first been collected from the wild in 1644 but wasn’t given its name until 1829. The name derives from Greek: “philo” means love or affection, and “dendron” means tree. What the plant’s name means is “tree lover” or “tree hugger.” It’s very appropriate because philodendrons, such as the climbing heart-leaf varieties here, love to climb trees and they embrace the trees as they climb. That’s actually how they grow in the wild.
Depending on the species, what’s really interesting about them is that in the wild, when they grow up into the trees, their roots are connected to the soil. However, when they grow way up into the trees, they become epiphytic. Epiphytic means that the plants don’t have roots in the soil but actually get their moisture and nutrients from the air. Their roots are generally exposed to the air and absorb water and nutrients that way.
I find it fascinating that these plants can, during their lifetime, change from being terrestrial (soil-based) to epiphytic. Most plants that are epiphytic start out that way and don’t change, like many species of orchids. So, that is definitely something unique about the philodendrons.
The name of philodendron has changed over the years to get its current name. There are often changes like that after plants are discovered, sometimes for several years, as horticulturists figure out where the plants fit in the plant kingdom. Initially, the plant was named “philodendron” with an “m” at the end, but it was eventually named “philodendron” with an “n” at the end.
The plant is said to symbolize health and abundance. It has even served as a plant muse for various artists, one of the most famous being Pablo Picasso, who used philodendron in his sculpture “Woman in the Garden.” So that’s another fun historical tidbit to consider as you tend the philodendrons in your indoor garden.
Thank you for stopping by today! Please leave any comments about any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video, and please check the bell if you’d like to be notified when new videos are released.
Frequently Asked Questions about Philodendrons
What is the philodendron family of plants?
The philodendron family consists of approximately 489 species of plants that are primarily found in the Caribbean, Venezuela, and Colombia. Only about 10 species are commonly grown as houseplants.
Where do philodendrons originate from?
Philodendrons originate from tropical regions, specifically the Caribbean, Venezuela, and Colombia.
When were philodendrons first discovered?
Philodendrons were first collected from the wild in 1644, but they weren’t given their name until 1829.
What does the name “philodendron” mean?
The name “philodendron” derives from Greek, where “philo” means love or affection, and “dendron” means tree. Thus, it translates to “tree lover” or “tree hugger.”
How do philodendrons grow in the wild?
In the wild, philodendrons climb trees using their roots, which initially are connected to the soil. As they grow higher, they can become epiphytic, obtaining moisture and nutrients from the air instead of the soil.
Can philodendrons change their growth type?
Yes, philodendrons can change from being terrestrial (soil-based) to epiphytic during their lifetime, which is unique compared to most epiphytic plants that remain in that state.
What is the historical significance of philodendrons?
Philodendrons are said to symbolize health and abundance. They have served as muses for various artists, including Pablo Picasso, who incorporated them into his sculpture “Woman in the Garden.”
How can I support HealthyHouseplants.com?
You can support our show by using our Amazon affiliate link provided on our website.
What should I do if I want to learn more about indoor gardening?
Please leave comments about any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see. Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and share our videos!
Patreon: 
/ healthyhouseplants
One-time donation: https://ko-fi.com/healthyhouseplants
Sign up for my monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/g1PCSH
- Perky Plant fertilizer: https://amzn.to/3RdLA00
- Seaweed extract: https://amzn.to/3z2CsFh
- Rooting hormone: https://amzn.to/3bIXi0t
- Espoma fertilizer: https://amzn.to/3vPa9bs
- Worm compost: https://amzn.to/3HVL01u
- Full-spectrum Light Bulb-Large: https://amzn.to/3yR6VBu
- Full-spectrum Lighting: https://amzn.to/3qhhaiv
- Light meter: https://amzn.to/4dpmp3s
- Moisture meter: https://amzn.to/3TEUu5N
- Hygrometer: https://amzn.to/3Cf6h2F
- Pruning shears: https://amzn.to/3X6oOcg
- ProMix Potting Soil: https://amzn.to/3iVIrjE
- My Organic Green Gourmet Houseplant Fertilizer: healthyhouseplants.storenvy.com
- My Perfect Pumice: Healthy Houseplants Store
- My Organic Green Gourmet Houseplant Fertilizer: Healthy Houseplants Store
Share to Social Media.