Philodendron martianum (Pacová, ‘Fatboy’)

Where the species behind Philodendron martianum (Pacová, ‘Fatboy’) grows naturally

Philodendron martianum is native to eastern and southern Brazil. It grows as an epiphyte in tropical forest and has been recorded climbing against trunks and branches in the understory.

How to care for Philodendron martianum (Pacová, ‘Fatboy’)

• Support: The short, thick stem does not need a climbing pole. Keep the crown exposed and use a stable pot if the foliage becomes top-heavy.
• Light: Give bright, diffused light and protect the leaves from strong direct sun.
• Watering: Let the surface of the mix become just dry, then water thoroughly and let the excess drain.
• Potting mix: Use an open mix with bark, pumice or similar coarse material so it holds some moisture while leaving plenty of air around the roots.
• Temperature: A steady 18–29 °C suits the plant; sustained temperatures below 15 °C are too cool. Keep the plant away from cold window glass.
• Humidity: Target roughly 50–60% relative humidity with enough airflow to prevent stagnant conditions.
• Feeding: During active growth, use complete fertiliser at a measured rate. Use a lighter feeding schedule once growth slows.
• Repotting: When roots occupy the available space, shift the plant into a pot only a little larger. If the mix drains more slowly, check the drainage holes and refresh compacted mix if necessary. Stabilise a top-heavy plant in a suitably heavy pot without adding excess soil around the roots.
• Propagation: Propagate from rooted basal growth when available, or from a healthy stem cutting with a node.

Problems and solutions for Philodendron martianum

• Several lower leaves yellow: One old yellow leaf can be natural. If several leaves yellow together, check the root ball: rewet a very dry one, or pause watering if the mix remains wet. If decline persists, inspect the roots and keep all firm ones. Cut only clearly rotten, soft tissue back to firm growth with disinfected scissors, discard the decay and repot healthy roots in airy mix if needed. The causes are explained in the yellow-leaf guide.
• Fine webbing or fixed bumps appear at petiole bases: Inspect sheltered leaf bases and undersides for spider mites, scale and mealybugs. Isolate the plant if pests are confirmed, remove visible insects and treat with a product labelled for the identified pest on houseplants, following the stated repeat intervals. For identification and control, see the scale-insect guide.
• The centre or a thick petiole base becomes soft: Water trapped between closely spaced leaf bases can encourage rot, especially if conditions remain cold and damp. Keep the crown dry, improve airflow and warmth, and inspect the affected area. If part of the crown is clearly mushy and rotten, use a disinfected blade to remove only decayed tissue back to firm growth and discard it. Keep the plant separate if decay continues to spread.

Philodendron martianum 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.

How the name Philodendron martianum came about

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.” The epithet martianum honours Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius.

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

Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler first described Philodendron martianum in 1899 in Botanische Jahrbücher für Systematik, volume 26, page 518.