Split-Leaf Philodendrons & Protection From a Freeze

About Split-Leaf Philodendrons

• Native to Central America, split-leaf philodendrons are hardy from U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 10b to 12 and are often grown outdoors in far southern Florida and southern California. Split-leaf philodendrons begin life resembling their philodendron cousins, but thin spots in leaves become holes and mature into deep, squared lobes. Landscape plants, given ideal conditions, occasionally bloom. Their inflorescence, typical of all arums, consists of an upright spadix sheltered by an adapted leaf called a spathe. Houseplants seldom grow taller than 10 feet indoors and rarely bloom.

Growing Conditions

• Both indoor and outdoor split-leaf philodendrons need bright shade for best color but will tolerate full shade. Like other rain forest plants, they prefer well-drained, highly organic, acidic soil and should never set in water in containers that lack drainage holes. The surface of indoor plant soil should dry before watering -- leaves on overwatered plants will sweat to disperse excess water. Even in zones where they are hardy, split-leaf philodendrons stop growing when the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Freezing temperatures kill foliage or the entire plant, depending on the duration of the freeze.

Landscape Plant Protection

• As outdoor split-leaf philodendrons grow larger, wrapping in burlap or covering with a sheet becomes less practical on cool nights. Watering outdoor plants before an anticipated frost creates a layer of sweat on surfaces that might help protect leaf surfaces against a single frosty night. In areas where frost is possible, a planting position sheltered on the north and northwest sides might provide protection from wind. Prune leaves and vine segments quickly where frost leaves limp, pale growth. In areas where winter frosts and freezes are unpredictable, take stem cuttings and grow container plants indoors to replace lost split-leaf philodendrons in spring. If a few frosty nights kill all of the leaves, cut the plant down to the ground and mulch it to protect its roots against further cold temperatures; the plant might regrow from the roots when the weather warms.

Container Plants

• Keeping split-leaf philodendrons in containers provides protection against freezing in any zone when you move them indoors for the cold weather. Add wheels to the containers of large plants to make moving plants easier. Move houseplants that spend summers outdoors indoors long before the first frost to protect them -- bring them home from their summer camp as nighttime temperatures drop near 50 degrees Fahrenheit to keep them growing and green.