Philodendron Splendid

Velvet, veins, and a whole lot of drama — the Philodendron Splendid plant is a collector's hybrid of Philodendron verrucosum × Philodendron melanochrysum, and it lives up to its name. Its large, heart-shaped leaves have a soft, velvety sheen in deep green, traced with bright, pale veins that catch the light.

Both parents hail from the humid forests of Central and South America, and Splendid inherits the best of each: the bold veining of verrucosum and the elongated, velvety leaves of melanochrysum. It's a natural climber. Give it a moss pole and each new leaf tends to come in bigger than the last as it matures.

Care snapshot

• Light: Bright, indirect light. Keep it out of harsh direct sun, which can scorch those velvety leaves.
• Water: When the top inch or two of soil is dry. Use a chunky, airy aroid mix; it likes to stay lightly moist, never soggy.
• Difficulty: Intermediate. It's happiest with steady care and a bit of extra humidity.
• Pet-safety: Toxic to cats and dogs if chewed or eaten; keep out of reach of pets and kids.

What you'll receive

Every plant is a living thing with its own personality, so your Philodendron Splendid may vary slightly from the photo in leaf size, colour, and shape. Think of it as one of a kind, just like it should be.

Why you'll love it

If you've been eyeing the velvet philodendrons, Splendid is a beautiful place to start: showy enough for the collector shelf and more forgiving than many of its fussier cousins. We'd love to help you give one a home and watch it grow into a real statement piece.