Philodendron Gloriosum Dark Form

🌿 The Philodendron gloriosum Dark Form is a terrestrial crawler from the Araceae family, native to Colombia's tropical rainforests. This intermediate-level plant is cherished for its velvety, heart-shaped leaves that display deeper, more pronounced venation than the standard form. Unlike many climbing philodendrons, this one prefers to crawl horizontally along the ground, mimicking its natural forest floor habitat. Here's something most people don't know: the gloriosum's rhizome can store water and nutrients, helping it survive brief dry periods in the wild.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This philodendron grows horizontally as a terrestrial crawler, sending out thick rhizomes that produce leaves along their length. The leaves are large, velvety, and heart-shaped with deep green colouration that appears almost black in certain lighting conditions. The Dark Form variety showcases more prominent white to pale pink venation that creates striking contrast against the dark foliage. The texture is soft and plush to the touch, with a matte finish that catches light beautifully.
FLOWER DETAILS
The Philodendron gloriosum produces typical aroid flowers consisting of a white to cream-coloured spathe surrounding a spadix. These blooms are subtle and lack significant fragrance, appearing infrequently in indoor conditions. While the flowers don't offer much ornamental value compared to the stunning foliage, they do add botanical interest when they appear. Indoor flowering is rare but can occur when the plant reaches maturity and receives consistent, optimal care conditions. To encourage flowering, maintain stable humidity above 60 percent, provide bright indirect light, and allow the plant to become well-established in its pot for at least two years.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright indirect light for 6-8 hours daily. Avoid direct sun which can scorch the velvety leaves. Tolerates medium light but growth slows considerably.
💧 Water: Water when top 2 inches of soil dry out, typically every 5-7 days in summer and every 10-14 days in winter. Use bottom watering or water at the base to avoid getting leaves wet, which can cause spotting on the velvety surface.
🌡️ Humidity: Thrives in 60-80% humidity. Will tolerate average home humidity around 40-50% but leaf edges may brown and growth will be less vigorous.
🪴 Soil: Chunky, well-draining mix with orchid bark, perlite, peat moss, and charcoal. Needs excellent aeration around the rhizome to prevent rot.
🏺 Potting: Wide, shallow pot rather than deep. Terracotta or ceramic with drainage holes. The crawling rhizome needs horizontal space. Repot every 18-24 months or when rhizome reaches pot edge.
🌱 Growth rate: Slow to moderate. Produces 3-5 new leaves in 6 months under good conditions. Each leaf can reach 12-15 inches in one year. Maximum leaf size reaches 24-30 inches in mature specimens.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed monthly from spring through summer with balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Reduce to every 6-8 weeks in fall and winter when growth slows.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. Contains calcium oxalate crystals that are toxic to cats and dogs. Ingestion causes oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing.
WHERE TO PUT IT
This plant works beautifully on wide plant stands, low shelves, or tabletops where its crawling habit can be appreciated and the rhizome has room to spread horizontally. It's ideal for living rooms with bright windows, home offices, or bedrooms that receive good natural light. The low-growing nature makes it perfect for spaces where you want lush greenery at eye level when seated. Avoid placing it in bathrooms unless you have excellent natural light, and keep it away from heating vents, air conditioners, and cold drafts near windows during winter months.