Philodendron Tripartitum – sometimes referred to as Philodendron fenzlii – is a striking tropical plant native to Mexico and Central America. Although these exotic plants may seem complicated to care for, they are low-maintenance and require little intervention to thrive.
Philodendron Tripartitums are low-care plants. They have slender leaves that split and create an unusual aesthetic. They enjoy warm, humid climates and require little watering. They need well-draining soil and can succumb to root rot if overwatered. Tripartitums are easy to repot and propagate.
If you’re thinking about owning a Tripartitum, you’re in luck! Our guide to Philodendron Tripartitums has everything you need to know about caring for this unique and beautiful houseplant.
Botanical Name
The botanical name for the Philodendron Tripartitum is Philodendron fenzlii. However, the more correct name for this plant is officially the Philodendron Tripartitum. This gorgeous plant forms part of the Araceae family, meaning it has beautiful large leaves and a unique flower cluster known as a spadix.
Common Name
Unlike many of its houseplant family members, this plant is commonly referred to by its preferred botanical name – Philodendron Tripartitum. In Latin, ‘tripartitum’ refers to something that is divisible by three. This plant earned its name from its leaves that typically split into three separate parts.
Philodendron Tripartitum Description
The Philodendron Tripartitum, like most other Philodendron types, is a climbing or creeper plant. These beautiful plants are typically found throughout Mexico and Central America and thrive in warm, humid climates.
Tripartitums have long, slender leaves that split into three and can grow up to 10 inches long in the wild. Similarly, this plant can reach a height of up to six feet in its natural environment.
Avid gardeners and expert plant owners typically grow these plants outside. However, they are more commonly kept as desk or houseplants and make excellent starter plants for beginners. If you’re new to plant ownership, you may want to be careful! Although Tripartitums are gorgeous to look at, they are toxic to animals and humans.
Philodendron Tripartitum Preferences
Philodendron Tripartitums are easy to care for and require little maintenance to stay looking lush and green. This makes them perfect for new plant owners who want a low-care plant to spruce up their home.
Light Preferences
If you’re keeping a Tripartitum as a houseplant, it’s best to keep it out of the sun! Tripartitums enjoy well-lit rooms and bright sunlight. However, these plants should be kept away from direct sunlight. When exposed to the direct sun, these plants may start to wither and become discolored. After long periods, their leaves may begin to burn, and they may even lose their leaves.
When planted in your garden, these plants grow best in grozing zones 9 to 11. In these zones, your Tripartitum will continue to grow all year long!
Temperature Preferences
Wild Tripartitums generally thrive in warm, humid climates. So, when growing one in your home or backyard, you’ll need to mimic its natural environment to keep it happy! Your Tripartitum should be kept between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, whether in a planter pot or directly in the ground.
Similarly, these plants enjoy high humidity levels. Typically, most Philodendrons do best at 60 percent humidity or higher. For indoor plants, it can be tough to keep your humidity levels up to par. In that case, you may want to invest in a humidifier to keep your plant lush and healthy.
Alternatively, placing your plant in a humid room can also help make your plant care easier. Laundry rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens are the ideal place to keep this striking houseplant.
Watering Preferences
Philodendron Tripartitums are hardy plants that can withstand drier conditions. However, they should be watered regularly when kept indoors. They should be watered when their topsoil is dry, but they may need to be watered more frequently in warmer months.
You can spray your plant’s leaves in between waterings to increase humidity levels and keep it perfectly hydrated.
Soil Preferences
Your Tripartitum should be kept in loose, well-draining soil to avoid common problems like root rot and pest infestations. When excess water cannot escape, your soil may become waterlogged, leading to overwatering.
The ideal soil for a Philodendron Tripartitum is an aroid soil mix, typically found at most nurseries and plant retailers.
Philodendron Tripartitum Care Tips
Philodendron Tripartitums are low-maintenance plants that are perfect for first-time plant owners. These easy-going houseplants grow well in most homes and can withstand a fair amount of neglect before showing signs of distress.
One of the top care tips for this plant is to provide your plant with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer during its growing months to aid growth and keep it healthy! The growing months for this plant are between spring and summer.
Common Issues And Troubleshooting
A common problem with most tropical houseplants is pests. And the Tripartitum is no different! Because tropical plants enjoy warm, humid environments, they are more susceptible to pest infestations than other houseplants.
Mealybugs and aphids are the most common plant pests that you may find. For a mealybug infestation, you may want to remove them using neem oil. You can do this by dipping a cotton swab into the oil and rubbing the swag over the bugs. Some pesticides are specifically designed to tackle this annoying pest!
Similarly, aphids are relatively easy to get rid of. You can use a plant-safe soap and cold water to wipe down the leaves and stems of your plant. Just make sure to rinse your plant off once you’re done!
Another common problem that most houseplants face is root rot. This disease is caused by overwatering your plant. Overwatering means watering your Tripartitum too frequently or waterlogging the soil using too much water. If your plant has root rot, its leaves will begin to wilt and become discolored.
Root rot is easy to fix if you catch this disease early! You can remove your Tripartitum from its pot, prune any dead or dying roots, and repot it into fresh, dry soil.
Repotting Your Philodendron Tripartitum
Tripartitums will need to be repotted once every two to three years, or when it begins to outgrow their old pot! If your plant’s roots are peeping out the bottom of its planter, it may be root-bound and must be repotted as quickly as possible.
Repotting is relatively simple, but it’s important to remember to use new soil in a bigger pot to repot your Tripartitum correctly!
Philodendron Tripartitum Propagation
Propagating your plant requires patience and practice. However, it’s a simple process that doesn’t take more than a few minutes to start! To get your Philodendron’s cuttings to root, you’ll need to place them in a small pot and cover them with the correct soil mixture.
You should take the cutting from the stem, just above one of the leaves. It should also be around 4 inches long. Water the cutting lightly and keep it in a warm area of your home. You should begin to see your new plant taking form after a month.
Conclusion
Philodendron Tripartitums are beautiful tropical plants that make fantastic décor for your home and office. They also look fantastic when planted in your garden! These low-care plants are easy to maintain and can withstand a fair amount of neglect, making them an excellent pick for new plant parents!