Philodendron ruizii

Natural range and habitat of Philodendron ruizii

Philodendron ruizii comes from the Andes from southern Colombia through Ecuador and Peru to Bolivia.

It grows from low elevations into mountain forest, with many records from moist foothill and mid-elevation forest.

Philodendron ruizii care

• Climbing support: Give the stem a tall pole or plank, keep ties on the stem and leave the leaf stalks free.
• Watering: Let the upper layer of the potting mix begin to dry before watering thoroughly, then allow the pot to drain.
• Potting mix: Use an airy, moisture-retaining aroid mix with coarse ingredients.
• Light: Use bright indirect light, keeping the foliage clear of intense direct sun. A darker position can increase the gaps between leaves and reduce leaf size.
• Humidity: Humidity around 50–60% supports steady growth. Keep conditions steady and place the plant away from very dry heated air.
• Temperature: A range of roughly 18–29 °C suits growth; avoid sustained temperatures under 15 °C.
• Feeding: During a flush of new climbing growth, give complete houseplant fertiliser sparingly. Reduce fertiliser once new growth has stopped.
• Repotting: Repot when the roots fill the container or the mix begins to compact. Keep the support in place during the move so the climbing stem stays secure.
• Propagation method: Root a sound node-bearing stem section, choosing one with an aerial root when available.

Common problems with Philodendron ruizii

• New growth develops much longer gaps between leaves than before: Compare the newest established growth with the leaves below it. If the gaps have clearly increased, check light first and make sure the plant is climbing securely; move it to brighter diffused light if needed. See our growth troubleshooting guide.
• Leaves droop while the pot still feels heavy: Check the roots before adding more water. Dark, mushy roots or a sour smell can indicate root rot; use our root rot guide.
• Young leaves open with silver scars and dark specks: Inspect folded growth and leaf undersides for thrips. Keep the plant separate if insects are found, remove visible pests and use a houseplant product labelled for thrips, reaching sheltered growth where permitted. Follow the label for repeat treatments.

Philodendron ruizii 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.

When was Philodendron ruizii first published, and what does it mean?

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.” The epithet ruizii honours the Spanish botanist Hipólito Ruiz López, who documented South American flora with José Pavón.

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

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott first described Philodendron ruizii in 1854 in Österreichisches Botanisches Wochenblatt, volume 4, page 418.