Philodendron mayoi

Natural range and habitat of Philodendron mayoi

Philodendron mayoi is native to Brazil's Federal District and Goiás, where it grows through surrounding vegetation in seasonally dry tropical habitat.

How to care for Philodendron mayoi

• Repotting: Repot when roots densely fill the current container, moving to a slightly larger pot. Stabilise sprawling stems separately if needed.
• Support: Give the scrambling stems room to spread or lean, and use loose support only where a stem needs stabilising.
• Light: Give it bright diffused light to keep the scrambling growth sturdy and well proportioned.
• Humidity: Keep the plant at roughly 50–60% relative humidity. Air should still move lightly around the plant.
• Watering: Rewater when the surface of the mix is just dry, then let excess water drain completely.
• Potting mix: Use a freely draining peat-free mix with coarse material such as bark, perlite or pumice.
• Temperature: Use 18–29 °C as the normal growing range and protect it from extended periods below 15 °C. Reduce watering frequency when cooler, darker conditions slow growth.
• Feeding: While new growth is developing, apply houseplant fertiliser at a light rate; feed less once growth pauses.
• Propagation: For propagation, cut the creeping stem so each section keeps a healthy node and, where possible, some roots; rest the stem at the surface of an airy mix.

Problems and solutions for Philodendron mayoi

• An established plant becomes weak and unusually stretched: Move it towards stronger indirect light and check whether nearby growth is shading the plant. Give the climbing stem firm support and reattach loose sections. For advice on choosing a position, see the bright indirect light guide.
• Fine webbing, pale stippling or cottony insects: Check the divided leaves for moving spider mites or mealybugs. Isolate confirmed infestations, remove visible pests and use a treatment labelled for the identified pest on indoor plants. Follow the product label for the full treatment course.
• Leaf tips become repeatedly brown and crisp: Check whether the roots dry too hard between watering, whether the pot has accumulated fertiliser salts, and whether intense heat or dry air is affecting the foliage. Water earlier if the root ball is consistently too dry; flush salts only if water drains freely. Inspect the roots if tip damage occurs alongside a persistently wet mix. Further causes and solutions are covered in the brown leaf tips guide.

Philodendron mayoi 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.

The meaning and history of Philodendron mayoi

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.” Mayoi honours the British botanist and aroid specialist Simon Mayo.

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

Eduardo G. Gonçalves first described Philodendron mayoi in 2000 in Kew Bulletin, volume 55, page 178.