Philodendron Pastazanum × Plowmanii

A cross between two of the most celebrated large-leaved terrestrial creepers in the collector philodendron world — two species that are close enough in character to be regularly confused with each other, and distinct enough that their hybrid produces something that consolidates and amplifies the best of both simultaneously. Philodendron pastazanum — the beloved 'pasta' of plant circles, from the Pastaza region of Ecuador — is a ground-level rhizome creeper defined by its broad, deeply glossy, heart-shaped leaves with strongly impressed primary venation that creates a distinctive ridged, quilted surface, kept entirely green on both petioles and undersides with no ornamentation beyond the extraordinary leaf form itself. Philodendron plowmanii, an as-yet unpublished species from Peru and Ecuador that is nonetheless widely recognized and cultivated, brings the contrasting characteristics: large, similarly broad heart-shaped leaves but with attractively ruffled, undulating wavy margins, a more dramatic leaf texture, colorful medium-green petioles with reddish-purple tinting toward the apex and the characteristic lateral wings with undulating margins, and occasional subtle silvery mottling on the leaf blade. Both parents are terrestrial creepers that grow with their rhizomes at or along the soil surface — they do not climb — making this cross emphatically a wide-spreading ground-level plant. The hybrid combines plowmanii's ruffled, wavy-margined, textural character with pastazanum's deep gloss and scale into a leaf that shows broad, substantial heart-shaped blades with rippled margins, deep vein impressions, a rich metallic-emerald surface sheen, and the sculptural petioles influenced by the plowmanii lineage. As with all seedling crosses, individual expression varies, with some offspring reading more plowmanii and others more pastazanum in character.

Both parents are terrestrial rhizome creepers and the hybrid requires the same treatment — a wide, shallow pot or long rectangular container that gives the horizontal rhizome room to spread, with the rhizome kept at or just above the soil surface rather than buried. Bright indirect light brings out the fullest gloss and the most dramatic vein definition; insufficient light reduces leaf size and flattens the surface character. Allow the top 1-2" of medium to dry between waterings in a chunky, well-draining aroid mix — both parents are sensitive to overwatering and root rot. Humidity of 60-80% supports the cleanest, largest leaf development. Maintain warm temperatures between 65-85°F. Toxic to humans and pets if ingested.