Skeleton philodendron
Philodendron tortum
Also called Philodendron tortum and Skeleton key philodendron
Houseplant · AroidsIT LOOKS LIKE A FERN AND IS NOT ONE, so it wants a philodendron's treatment: a chunky open mix, a pole to climb, and nothing like the constant moisture a fern would ask for. Kept damp at the root it rots.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Once a weekDrench and drain — water the whole surface until it runs from the holes.
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Feed
- Every 30 days
- Humidity
- Average to high
- Hardiness
- Indoors, or out in high summer RHS H1B, to 10°C
- Size
- 1.5 m tall · 1 m across
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Origin
- The Amazon basin of Brazil
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses. Signs: an irritated, intensely burning mouth, tongue and lips, heavy drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing.
PeopleHarmful if eaten, and irritates skin
The whole plant; the sap most of all.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-21.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.