There are some houseplants that politely sit where you put them and grow a few new leaves every now and then. And then there is the Philodendron Selloum.
The Selloum is not particularly interested in being small, tidy or easily ignored. With its enormous, deeply divided leaves and broad, spreading growth habit, it has a way of completely changing the feeling of a room. It is the kind of plant that makes a corner feel lush and established almost overnight. And honestly, that is exactly why I love it.
You might know it as Philodendron selloum, Tree Philodendron, Lacy Tree Philodendron or even Split-leaf Philodendron. Botanically, things have become a little more complicated. The plant is currently accepted by Kew as Philodendron bipinnatifidum, although you will also see it referred to as Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum. The latter name comes from a 2018 proposal to separate this group of plants from the genus Philodendron. Plant names, as usual, refuse to make our lives easy. Plants of the World Online
For the purposes of this post, though, I'm sticking with the name most of us actually see on plant tags: Philodendron Selloum.
Where does the Philodendron Selloum come from?
The Selloum is a South American plant, with its natural range extending through parts of Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay and northeastern Argentina. It occurs in a variety of habitats, including the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and Pampa biomes in Brazil. Plants of the World Online
Despite its very tropical appearance, its natural environment isn't simply one giant, permanently wet rainforest. It is adapted to seasonally dry tropical conditions too, which is one of the reasons it can be a surprisingly forgiving houseplant. In nature, it can grow terrestrially or in association with trees, and mature plants can form enormous clumps. Some specimens can eventually reach around 3.5 metres in height. Plants of the World Online
This also explains something I think is important when buying one for your home: the Selloum is not really a small houseplant that happens to have big leaves. It is a genuinely large plant. Given enough space and the right conditions, it wants to become a feature.
A Philodendron with an identity crisis
One of the interesting things about the Selloum is that its botanical history is almost as complicated as its appearance.
The species was first published in 1837 as Philodendron bipinnatifidum. The name Philodendron selloum was later published in 1853 and was used for the plant for many years. More recently, botanists proposed moving this group of plants into a separate genus, Thaumatophyllum, based on molecular and morphological research. Plants of the World Online
So you may encounter all three names depending on where you shop or which book you're reading: Philodendron selloum, Philodendron bipinnatifidum and Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum. They are referring to the same familiar plant.
And then there is the common name "split-leaf philodendron", which can cause another little bit of confusion because that name is also frequently used for Monstera deliciosa. They are not the same plant. The Selloum's leaves are deeply divided into lobes rather than developing the characteristic holes of a mature Monstera.
The plant with the enormous leaves
The first thing you notice about a Selloum is obviously the foliage. The leaves can become huge, with long, dramatic lobes that give them an almost prehistoric appearance.
Unlike the vining philodendrons that we usually picture when we hear the word "philodendron", Selloum has a completely different growth habit. It grows from a central stem and, as it matures, develops a thick trunk-like structure with the leaves radiating outward. It doesn't need a moss pole to climb up your wall. In fact, trying to treat it like a climbing philodendron would entirely miss the point.
Give it enough room and it becomes almost tree-like, which is where the common name Tree Philodendron comes from.
And this is one of those plants that looks particularly good when it is allowed to become a little unruly. I wouldn't be too quick to remove every older leaf or try to make it perfectly symmetrical. The sprawling shape is part of its charm.
How to care for a Philodendron Selloum
The Selloum has a reputation for being fairly easy-going, and I think that's deserved. But "easy-going" doesn't mean it will thrive absolutely anywhere. One of the biggest mistakes I see with large tropical plants is assuming that because they tolerate lower light, they actually prefer it.
Light
Bright, filtered light is ideal. A position near a bright window where the plant gets plenty of natural light, but isn't being blasted by harsh afternoon sun through glass, is usually a good starting point.
Interestingly, this species is capable of growing in quite bright conditions in its natural environment, so it isn't one of those plants that needs to live in a dark corner simply because it has "philodendron" in its name. Universidade de São Paulo
Water
I like to let the top portion of the potting mix dry out slightly before watering again. You don't want the soil staying permanently wet, but you also don't want to let the entire root ball become bone dry for long periods.
The exact watering schedule will depend on your home, the size of the plant and pot, the season and how much light it receives. Rather than watering every Sunday because that's what the care tag told you to do, stick your finger into the soil and actually see what is happening. Or simply lift the pot and feel the weight of it. If it feels very light, it's time to water it.
Soil
A chunky, well-draining mix is your friend. Think something that allows air to reach the roots while still holding enough moisture for the plant to use. A combination of good-quality potting soil with materials such as orchid bark and perlite or pumice works well.
The important thing is that excess water can escape. A beautiful plant in a beautiful pot is not worth much if it is sitting in a swamp.
Temperature and humidity
As a tropical plant, the Selloum appreciates warmth. It will be happiest in a warm room away from cold draughts and sudden temperature changes.
You don't necessarily need to turn your home into a rainforest, though. Average indoor humidity is often perfectly manageable, particularly if the plant is otherwise healthy and receiving good light.
If your home is very dry, grouping plants together or using a humidifier can help, but I wouldn't obsess over humidity before getting the basics right. Good light, appropriate watering and healthy roots will get you much further.
Feeding
During active growth, a balanced houseplant fertiliser can be used regularly according to the product's instructions. I prefer a lighter, consistent approach rather than dramatically overfeeding a plant in an attempt to make it grow faster.
And with a plant like this, remember that bigger isn't always better. If your Selloum is already growing happily, you don't need to force it into becoming a botanical monster overnight.
How to style a Philodendron Selloum indoors
This is where I think the Selloum really comes into its own.
It isn't a plant I would hide on a little plant stand in the corner. Its whole personality is about scale, so give it some room to breathe.
A mature Selloum looks fantastic in a large, simple planter where the foliage is allowed to spread outward. I particularly love the contrast of those soft, organic leaves against architectural interiors - concrete, timber, stone, plaster walls and clean-lined furniture all work beautifully with it.
If you have a large empty corner that feels a little too bare, this is exactly the kind of plant I would consider. Rather than filling the entire space with lots of small plants, one large Selloum can give you that sense of greenery without making the room feel cluttered.
It also works beautifully beside low furniture. Because the leaves naturally arch and spread horizontally, placing it next to a sofa, sideboard or low console can create a lovely contrast between the horizontal lines of the furniture and the organic shape of the foliage.
And don't be afraid of a slightly oversized pot. In fact, I think the Selloum looks better when the planter has enough visual weight to balance the plant. A tiny pot underneath a huge canopy can make the whole thing look top-heavy.
For a more natural, collected interior, I'd pair it with terracotta or a textured ceramic planter. For something more contemporary, a simple oversized planter in a neutral tone lets the foliage do all the talking.
The one thing I wouldn't do is squeeze it into a space that is simply too small. This is a plant that needs to occupy space. If its leaves are constantly being knocked by people walking past, pushed behind furniture or forced into a narrow corner, you're probably fighting against the plant rather than styling with it.
Is a Philodendron Selloum right for you?
I think the Selloum is one of those plants that rewards you for giving it a proper place in your home.
It isn't a delicate little plant that needs constant fussing, but it does need space, light and a little freedom. Given those things, it can become one of the most impressive plants in a collection.
And perhaps that's what I like most about it. The Selloum doesn't try to be neat. It doesn't climb a carefully positioned moss pole or sit obediently on a shelf. It spreads, arches, fills the corner and slowly becomes part of the architecture of the room.
If you're looking for a plant that makes a statement without feeling overly polished, this one is hard to beat. It has that slightly wild, tropical quality that makes an interior feel lived-in.
Just make sure you have somewhere to put it before you fall in love with the tiny plant you saw at the nursery. Because that tiny Selloum has plans.