Philodendron maximum leaf close-up on white background.

Philodendron maximum potted houseplant in nursery pot on white background, product photo 2.

Philodendron maximum potted houseplant in nursery pot on white background, product photo 3.

Philodendron maximum potted houseplant in nursery pot on white background, product photo 4.

Philodendron maximum potted houseplant in nursery pot on white background, product photo 5.

Araceae

Philodendron maximum

Philodendron maximum does exactly what the name suggests: vast, semi-glossy leaves with undulating edges that can transform an empty corner into a slice of rainforest. Given space and support, it becomes a true statement piece rather than just another green accent.

Full guide to Philodendron maximum

€11,95

VAT included · plus

Size:

Baby (XS)

Variant

Philodendron maximum at a glance:

Philodendron maximum is a large hemiepiphytic climber built for scale, producing huge sagittate leaves with a deep basal sinus, broad posterior lobes, and strongly rippled margins that make even medium-sized plants feel substantial. It starts manageable, but the species is fundamentally a support-hungry climber and looks best when allowed to size up against a tall pole or board.

Bright, indirect light, steady moisture with slight drying between waterings, and a very airy but organic-rich substrate are the key pieces indoors. It grows best around 18–27 °C with moderate to high humidity and enough vertical room to develop. Older stems may keep dried cataphyll remains, which adds to the rugged rainforest look.

Like other philodendrons, it contains calcium oxalate and should be kept away from pets and children, especially once the plant becomes large and harder to move.

Philodendron maximum

Quick Care Guide

Light

Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux

Water

Water when ~30–50% dry

Substrate

Airy + fast-draining • Light moisture buffer • Bark-based • Medium-chunky

Temperature

Ideal: 18–29 °C • Avoid below: 15 °C

Humidity

Moist 50–60 %

Growth habit

climbing to arborescent

Support

optional

Growth speed

Average

Max size indoors

Max. height with support: 300 cm • Max. spread: 150 cm

Toxicity & safety

Toxic

Origin & habitat

Tropical America; wet tropical habitat

How to read these metrics

These metrics are standardised reference points. We compile them by reviewing and cross-checking multiple botanical and horticultural references, then refining them through real-world growing experience. Source links: Plant Care Resources.

Please use the values as guidance. Conditions vary by home, so the same plant can respond differently. For plant-specific context, read the full product description and browse our Plant Care Guides.

Light: level + approximate lux at leaf level;
Watering: “% dry” is the trigger before watering again; lower % stays more evenly moist.
Potting mix: one-line profile (structure/drainage • moisture buffer • base • particle size).
Temperature: “Ideal” comfort range; “Avoid below” marks higher stress risk.
Humidity: target bands (Normal/Moist/Humid); consistency usually matters most.

Growth habit: growth form (rosette, trailing, climbing) for placement and training.
Support: needed/optional/none — whether stake, pole, or trellis improves structure and size.
Growth speed: fast/average/slow under decent indoor conditions—expectations, not a promise.
Max size indoors: realistic long-term potential; format differs for climbers vs. trailers.
Toxicity & safety: chemical irritants/toxicity and physical hazards (spines, bristles).
Origin & habitat: native region + typical biome/habitat as context.

Philodendron maximum - Giant Climbing Philodendron with Massive Sagittate Leaves

Philodendron maximum is a large hemiepiphytic climber from wet tropical South America grown for its huge sagittate blades, rippling margins, and strong vertical habit. It starts out manageable, but this species is built to climb and size up. With warmth, steady moisture, and a tall support, it develops into a broad, architectural plant with far more scale than most Philodendron grown indoors.

Mature foliage is what sets it apart. Leaves are dark green and moderately glossy above, paler and matte below, with a deep basal sinus, broad posterior lobes, and markedly undulate margins. Long petioles can show faint purple spotting near the base, and older stems may retain dried cataphyll remains, giving Philodendron maximum a rugged rainforest look even between growth flushes.

Philodendron maximum - What gives this species its scale and structure

Growth habit: Hemiepiphytic climber that may begin terrestrially before attaching and ascending support.
Leaf form: Narrowly ovate- to triangular-sagittate blades with deep basal lobes and strongly rippled margins.
Mature size: In habitat, blades can reach around 165 cm long and up to 100 cm wide. Indoors, size depends heavily on support, root space, warmth, and time.
Surface detail: Upper surface is moderately glossy, while the underside stays noticeably paler and matte.
Stem character: Petioles are long and sturdy, and older growth may keep persistent cataphyll remains.
Flowering: Mature plants can produce several inflorescences per axil, though flowering indoors is uncommon.

Philodendron maximum - How Philodendron maximum grows in habitat

Philodendron maximum is associated with wet tropical forest and is often found rooting into organic debris caught in old palm leaf bases, especially on Attalea palms. In Bolivia it is also known as huembe. Indoors, that habitat clue matters: this species responds best to an airy, organic-rich mix, steady access to moisture, and a vertical structure it can actively climb.

Philodendron maximum - Care that supports stronger indoor growth

Light: Keep in bright indirect light. Gentle direct sun early or late in the day can be tolerated, but prolonged harsh sun may stress or mark the leaves.
Watering: Water when roughly the top 15-20% of the substrate has dried. Aim for even moisture, not constant wetness.
Substrate: Use a chunky, breathable mix with organic content, such as coco coir or quality potting mix combined with bark and perlite.
Humidity: Moderate to high humidity helps with smoother unfurling and stronger foliage, but stable conditions matter more than chasing extreme numbers.
Temperature: Best kept warm, ideally around 18-27°C, with no exposure to cold drafts or sudden drops.
Support: Give Philodendron maximum a pole, plank, or other climbable support early. This species is fundamentally a climber, not a self-supporting floor plant.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer at a modest rate during active growth and reduce or pause if growth slows significantly.
Repotting: Repot when roots crowd the pot or when the mix starts breaking down and holding too much water.
Propagation: Established stems can be propagated from node cuttings or top cuts with at least one viable node.

Philodendron maximum - Problems that usually appear first indoors

Yellowing leaves: Most often linked to excess moisture, dense exhausted substrate, or roots staying wet for too long.
Brown edges or difficult unfurling: Usually point to dry air, irregular watering, root stress, or cool stagnant conditions.
Small new foliage: Often means the plant needs better light, more vertical support, more root room, or steadier feeding.
Pests: Watch for spider mites, thrips, mealybugs, and fungus gnats, especially when airflow is poor or care is inconsistent.

Philodendron maximum - Practical notes before you bring one home

Philodendron maximum contains calcium oxalate crystals and should be kept away from pets and children who may chew it. It is also not a long-term shelf plant. Even when bought small, it matures into a support-hungry climber that needs vertical space to show what it can really do.

If you want a climbing Philodendron with genuine size potential and a stronger rainforest look than most common indoor forms, Philodendron maximum is an excellent choice.