Family: Araceae
Common name: Fingerleaf, Finger leaf, Philodendron goeldii, Philodendron fun bun
Fingerleaf plants are rare but easy to grow perennial, popular among collectors because of the unique shape of its leaves. It can reach heights of up to 5 meters with a branched stem and various prop roots around the plant.
Plant characteristics
The leaves are its most striking feature – large, green and glossy. When the plant is small, the leaves are almost triangular in shape. Once the Fingerleaf plant matures, the leaves form beautiful curved structures like hoops from which emerge 10-20 leaflets, the central ones being the largest.
The leaflets can be 40-60 cm long with prominent veins and slightly wavy margins. This unique shape of the leaves give the plant its name Fingerleaf. The plant is not very common, but they can be grown as ornamentals in botanical gardens, parks, home gardens, and landscaped areas, adding to the aesthetic appeal.
Gardening tips
Fingerleaf plants do well in bright, filtered sunlight as harsh sunlight might cause the leaf edges to burn. They are drought-tolerant once established in the soil and need very little care. Do not cut or trim the prop roots that arise from the stem, since that will cause the plant to become unstable and topple.
They can be grown indoors near a window with bright sunlight, but in a pot large enough to have space for the prop roots. They love moisture and will do well when the pot is kept in a tray with water.
The plant produces flowers in a spadix surrounded by a spathe, and also fruits, but they not commonly seen in house plants.
Fingerleaf plants have been moved from one genus to another over time. They initially belonged to the genus Thaumatophyllum, but was moved to Philodendron because of similar characteristics.
But genetic studies later led to it being brought back under the genus Thaumatophyllum with plants like Xanadu or Thaumatophyllum xanadu. Since the plant is a recent introduction to the gardens, there is not much data on the plant characteristics and propagation methods.
Propagation is through stem cuttings, or root division.
Photographed at: Botanical garden, Singapore
