Philodendron lynamii is one of the most stunning houseplants, thanks to the lovely large heart-shaped green leaves that are deep red or pinkish as they emerge. It is one of our favorite Philodendron plants, if not the spiritus-sancti.
This rare plant is endemic to Peru and will cost you a fortune, but it is worth every pen you pay. It will transform your home, office, or wherever you place it, especially when new leaves emerge. Also, it is air purifying.
Today, we will take you through Philodendron lynamii care, prices, and where you will buy it. Also, we have its history and how it differs from Philodendron nangaritense Croat, ined.
About Philodendron lynamii
Philodendron lynamii Croat, ined., name unresolved, undescribed, and unpublished plant species name. Dr. Thomas Croat collected a sample in 1984 during his expeditions in Peru. Later in 1997, when it bloomed, Croat and Ralph Lynam of Davie, Florida (who already had the plant in his collection) confirmed it might have been the same species. To that effect, Dr. Croat decided to name it after Lynam.
However, recent evidence shows that this plant may have been collected by first Lucien Linden (1851–1940), a Belgian botanist, towards the end of the 19th century. He described and named it Philodendron devansayanum, published in L’Illustration Horticole in 1895.
To further complicate matters, Philodendron devansayeanum André is another accepted species published in 1895 that resembles lynamii.
- Botanical name: Philodendron lynamii ined.
- Family: Araceae
- Native habitat: Peru
- Care level: Easy or low maintenance
- Toxicity: Mild to moderately toxic to humans, cats, dogs, and other pets since it has insoluble calcium oxalates.
- Propagation: Stem cutting
1. Growth habits, size, and growth rate
Philodendron lynamii is a ground creeping or terrestrial evergreen plant native to Tarapoto, Peru. It occurs in the tropical wet biome, especially along slopes of warm moist primary forests, as an understory plant.
Lynamii has a slow to moderate growth rate, with prevailing conditions affecting the rate at which it will grow. Mature plants can reach up to 3 feet tall.
2. How to identify Philodendron lynamii
It has stems with short internodes, aerial roots growing from nodes, and persisting semi-intact reddish-brown cataphylls.
Mature Philodendron lynamii will have large (up to 2 feet long), sub-leathery, heart-shaped semi-glossy leaves dark green above, paler below with paler distinguishable main veins.
However, newly emerging leaves are red, pinkish, or reddish bronze but slowly turn pinkish and finally greenish as the leaves harden.
Lastly, this plant has green subterete petioles with pale short lineate throughout and purplish lines demarcating petioles from blades. However, as they emerge, like leaves, they are reddish pink.
Philodendron lynamii vs nangaritense
These two plants have large, heart-shaped leaves. However, P. lynamii’s newly emerging leaves are reddish pink and turn green as they harden, while Philodendron nageritense leaves emerge pale greenish, sometimes bronzish pink.
The other difference is that lynamii has greenish petioles with white short lineate while nangaritense has deep burgundy (when emerging) to dark-green, densely fuzzy, or warty leaves.
Lastly, while lynamii is only a terrestrial creeping plant, nangaritense grows both as a terrestrial and climbing plant.
Caring for Philodendron lynamii
Philodendron lynamii requires a warm, humid place with bright, indirect light. Its soil should be well-drained, airy, and humus-rich, and you should water it when the top few inches feel dry.
Here are Philodendron care and growth requirements, including feeding, repotting, and pruning.
- USDA hardiness zone: 10-11, not frost resistant. Move any outdoor plants indoors when temperatures fall below 50°F.
- Temperature: 55-80°F. Avoid abrupt temperature fluctuations, cold drafts, or places near heat vents and sources, including heat-emitting appliances.
- Humidity: 60% or more but can tolerate up to 40%. If so low, get a humidifier, or a pebble tray, mist your plants or try other ways to raise humidity.
- Light: Bright, indirect light, but medium light is OK. No direct sun, and if it is too little, consider buying grow lights.
- Soil. The ideal potting mix should be well-drained, aerated, and rich in organic matter with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Buy an aroid mix from Etsy.com, or add perlite, peat moss, bark chips, and compost to potting soil to make yours.
- Feeding: Moderate. I feed this plant with Miracle-Gro, balanced, liquid fertilizer, at least once a month during the growing season.
- Watering: I thoroughly water this plant only when my soil moisture meter (XLUX) reads dry or if the potting mix feels dry up to the first knuckle. Discard any that collects in the saucer after 15 minutes.
- Pruning: I regularly check and cut any dead, damaged, or diseased parts with sterilized gardening scissors. Also, you can cut back a few stems if they grow outside the pot during the growing months.
- Repotting: I repot my plant every 1-2 years or if rootbound. Use a pot 2-3 inches wider in diameter.
- Moss pole: Not necessary
Issues or problems
This species has no specific issues unique to it. So, expect the usual problems that Philodendron plants have.
Pests like aphids, thrips, spider mites, mealybugs, or scale insects are uncommon indoors and if you see any, use horticultural oil spray, neem oil, or insecticidal soaps.
Diseases like fungal or bacterial leaf spots, southern blight, or dasheen mosaic virus (DMV) are also uncommon. But practice proper sanitation and isolate new or sick plants to prevent these diseases.
Root rot is, perhaps, the most common issue you may have. It occurs if you overwater your plant or your potting mix doesn’t drain. Repot your plant if not all roots have decayed
Improper care, wrong growing conditions, and sometimes pests and diseases may result in leaves turning yellow, brown, or black, including spots. Also, your plant may droop or leaves curl due to these issues.
Where Do I buy Philodendron lynamii
If you would like to buy this lovely plant, I recommend Etsy.com. It has vendors from the US, Canada, Australia, Asia, the UK, and the rest of Europe with amazing price offers.
Besides Etsy.com, other places to find this are Facebook, Instagram, eBay, and other online stores. Use google to get some of the vendors near you.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. P. lynamii is still a rare plant, with only a few people selling it. None of the big box stores or large-scale horticulturalists have it. However, it is not as rare as a few years ago, thanks to the availability of tissue-cultured plants.
Philodendron lynamii’s price ranges from $60 to $300, depending on where you buy it. However, starter plants, rooted or unrooted specimens, may cost you as little as $40.
No. P. lynamii is a terrestrial plant, i.e., it grows on the ground, especially along slopes in its native habitat in Peru.
We have seen a few vendors with variegated Philodendron lynamii, one on Facebook whose green leaves have yellow-green variegation (sectors). Unfortunately, we haven’t had any variegated plants to be able to comment further.