Philodendron ‘Burle Marx’

Identity and cultivated origin of Philodendron ‘Burle Marx’

In horticulture, ‘Burle Marx’ is a cultivar associated with Philodendron cordatum.

A rocky coastal location near Rio de Janeiro has been reported for the cultivar. Its original wild locality remains unconfirmed. The separate species name Philodendron burle-marxii refers to a different plant.

How to grow Philodendron ‘Burle Marx’

• Space and shaping: Let the multiple stems mound and trail where there is room, or gather them onto a sturdy support. Prune above a node to shape the plant.
• Light: Brighter diffuse light helps reduce excessive elongation. Move the plant gradually and avoid abrupt harsh sun.
• Temperature and humidity: Stable conditions near 18–29 °C work well. If temperatures near 15 °C, shift the plant to a warmer position. Maintain roughly 50–60% humidity.
• Check the whole root ball: Dense branching can leave one part of the root ball wet while another dries. Let the mix partly dry, then feel several areas before watering. Soak the root ball evenly and let it drain fully.
• Potting mix: Use an airy mix with good drainage.
• Feeding: Feed during active growth at a moderate indoor-plant dose once the roots are healthy, the mix drains freely and the plant has suitable light.
• Repotting: Give ‘Burle Marx’ a slightly larger container when roots have filled the current one. Keep the pot stable and secure any support used to hold the branching stems.
• Propagation choices: Root firm stem cuttings with a node. Established plants, including crowded clumps, can be divided when several sections have their own roots. Use clean tools and fresh airy mix, and keep new divisions evenly moist without saturating them.

Normal growth and problems in Philodendron ‘Burle Marx’

• The plant spreads into a broad mound: This is its normal branching habit. Leave it to fill the space, prune above nodes for a tighter outline, divide rooted sections, or guide selected stems onto support.
• Stems become unusually long and weak: Raise filtered light gradually and check root condition and recent pot history. Review feeding only after roots and light are suitable, using fertiliser at the label rate during active growth.
• Leaves yellow while part of the clump stays wet: Check moisture in several pot zones and inspect the roots. Improve aeration and drainage, and divide or repot the plant if a dense root ball prevents reliable, even watering.
• Sticky residue and fixed bumps appear near the base: Inspect the bumps in bright light. A scar needs no pest action. Confirm scale, isolate the plant, scrape off small numbers carefully, rinse mobile crawlers, prune heavily infested tissue where proportionate, and recheck stems, undersides, the pot, and support. If physical removal is insufficient, use only an indoor-labelled horticultural oil or insecticidal soap for this plant and scale, target the young crawler stage, and repeat strictly as directed on the label.

Philodendron ‘Burle Marx’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

What do the names Philodendron and ‘Burle Marx’ mean?

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.” The cultivar name ‘Burle Marx’ honours Brazilian landscape architect and plant collector Roberto Burle Marx.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Philodendron in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 780.