Philodendron domesticum is a gorgeous, easy-to-care for climbing aroid. Native to the Caribbean and South America, its arrow-shaped leaves can grow to 56cm long and 23cm wide in maturity when given the right conditions. As with many plants in the grower community, several cultivars and varieties have popped up in the market. So how do you as a collector figure out the difference between them all?
‘Whipple Way’
The original ‘Whipple Way’ came from a sport P. domesticum cultivated by growers Dick & Ralph in California, USA. Named after the street they lived in at the time, this plant trickled down through a tight community of growers in the US and has now found itself in many countries.
New leaves appear very pale mint, yellow, pink or white, with mottled green splattered across them. The undersides appear a peach colour. As leaves age, they then become a deeper green. This creates an ombre look throughout the plant.
This plant has stable variegation, and it won’t revert on you. If you find your plant not putting out pale new leaves and they seem to just be green, try giving it brighter light. This should encourage those sought after colours, and the ‘Whipple Way’ is pretty darn hardy against light burn.
'Lemon Lime'
The 'Lemon Lime' that we see in the market was a spontaneous mutation discovered amoung thousand of tissue cultures in a laboratory in China in 2004. The original plant was then tissue cultured and seen to stay stable through multiple generations.
This variety boasts all-over golden yellow-green and lime green foliage. It could just be how this plant acts or because it was created through tissue culture, but it is not as hardy as other domesticums. It requires warmer temperatures, higher humidity and regular watering.
‘Variegata’ or ‘Variegated’
P. domesticum ‘Variegata’ refers to any domesticum with any form of variegation. This can include splashes of light green, yellow or cream, the shades of which will vary widely but beautifully. Variegation may be unstable, and you won’t really know what the newest leaves will look like – but that is where the fun is!
Within the ‘Variegata’ label you will find many names used. ‘Mango Shake’, ‘Albo’ and ‘Marble’ are some descriptors you will come across. But these are just descriptors, not a different variety. I have had domesticums with 80% cream leaves start putting out yellow-splashed leaves. I have also seen peach variegated plants start putting out leaves with more white variegation.
It's still hard to tell sometimes though!
I hear you! Only after seeing some plants over and over again will you start to easily recognise some of the small differences. It can be even harder keeping up with new cultivars that are released and working out if they're something new or something older that has been renamed. Until then, keep doing your research and stick to reputable growers when sourcing your rarer plants.