Problems

Philodendron Selloum Problems: Causes & Quick Fixes

Quick answer

Philodendron Selloum is prone to 16 common issues - each link below is a plant-specific fix guide.

Philodendron Selloum houseplant

Philodendron Selloum problems

Use the guides below to diagnose and fix common issues on Philodendron Selloum. Each problem page explains why it happens on this species and what to do first.

Or use our problem diagnosis tool to narrow down symptoms.

Common problems on Philodendron Selloum

Brown Tips

Medium

Likely cause: Low humidity from dry indoor air

Quick fix: Increase humidity to 50%+; large leaf surface transpires heavily

Full fix guide →

Root Rot

High

Likely cause: Dense soil or winter overwatering

Quick fix: Repot in chunky aroid mix; correct winter watering

Full fix guide →

Spider Mites

Medium

Likely cause: Dry indoor heating on large leaf surface

Quick fix: Rinse leaves; apply neem oil; increase humidity

Full fix guide →

Yellow Leaves

Medium

Likely cause: Overwatering in winter when growth slows

Quick fix: Reduce watering in winter; allow top 5 cm to dry

Full fix guide →

Aphids

Medium

Likely cause: Aphids on Philodendron Selloum cluster on soft new lobes at the crown and petiole tips of this self-heading tree philodendron. First step: isolate the plant, wrap the soil surface, and rinse colonies

Quick fix: See plant-specific guide for step-by-step fixes.

Full fix guide →

Drooping Leaves

Medium

Likely cause: Drooping on Philodendron Selloum (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum) usually means long petioles lost turgor from underwatering, overwatering/root stress, or low humidity-not always an emergency. First s

Quick fix: See plant-specific guide for step-by-step fixes.

Full fix guide →

Fungus Gnats

Medium

Likely cause: Fungus gnats on Philodendron Selloum mean the soil surface stays too wet too often. First step: let the top 5 cm dry between waterings, set yellow sticky traps, and treat with Bacillus thuringiensis i

Quick fix: See plant-specific guide for step-by-step fixes.

Full fix guide →

Leggy Growth

Medium

Likely cause: Leggy growth on Philodendron Selloum is self-heading petiole stretch from low light-not vining behavior. Long weak petioles, small pale new lobes, and a sparse crown leaning toward the window are the

Quick fix: See plant-specific guide for step-by-step fixes.

Full fix guide →

Low Humidity

Medium

Likely cause: Low humidity on Philodendron Selloum is a scale problem-small rooms, huge leaves. First step: run a humidifier to hold 50–60% at canopy height and move the pot away from heating vents.

Quick fix: See plant-specific guide for step-by-step fixes.

Full fix guide →

Mealybugs

Medium

Likely cause: Mealybugs on Philodendron Selloum hide in leaf axils and along the self-heading stem base. First step: isolate the plant, dab visible clusters with alcohol on a cotton swab, then treat with insecticid

Quick fix: See plant-specific guide for step-by-step fixes.

Full fix guide →

Mold on Soil

Medium

Likely cause: Mold on Philodendron Selloum soil is usually harmless saprophytic fungus on a constantly wet surface layer - not a leaf disease. First step: scrape off the top half-inch of moldy mix, let the top 5 cm

Quick fix: See plant-specific guide for step-by-step fixes.

Full fix guide →

Not Enough Light

Medium

Likely cause: Not enough light on Philodendron Selloum shows up as long weak petioles, smaller pale new lobes, and soil that stays wet too long in a dim corner. First step: move the crown to bright indirect light w

Quick fix: See plant-specific guide for step-by-step fixes.

Full fix guide →

Overwatering

Medium

Likely cause: Overwatering on Philodendron Selloum means the root zone stays wet too long - not one extra cup of water. First step: stop watering until the top 5 cm dries and the pot feels lighter when lifted. If s

Quick fix: See plant-specific guide for step-by-step fixes.

Full fix guide →

Slow Growth

Medium

Likely cause: Slow growth on Philodendron Selloum is often low light reaching the crown, a root-bound pot, or normal winter rest below about 60°F. First step: confirm season and hold your hand at canopy height for

Quick fix: See plant-specific guide for step-by-step fixes.

Full fix guide →

Underwatering

Medium

Likely cause: Underwatering on Philodendron Selloum shows when the huge lobed canopy dries out faster than you water - especially in warm bright rooms. First step: soak thoroughly until runoff when the top 5 cm is

Quick fix: See plant-specific guide for step-by-step fixes.

Full fix guide →

Wilting

Medium

Likely cause: Wilting on Philodendron Selloum can mean underwatering or root rot from overwatering-both block water reaching huge leaves. First step: check if the top 5 cm is dry or wet before adding or withholding

Quick fix: See plant-specific guide for step-by-step fixes.

Full fix guide →

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Philodendron Selloum?

Every 7–10 days in summer - allow top 5 cm to dry. Every 14–21 days in winter. Large leaf mass uses water quickly in warm conditions.

What light does Philodendron Selloum need?

Philodendron Selloum grows best in bright indirect light, medium indirect light.

Is Philodendron Selloum toxic to pets?

Philodendron Selloum is toxic to cats, dogs, rabbits, birds, horses, turtles, and tortoises. Keep out of reach of curious pets and choose pet-safe alternatives for accessible spots.

How do I propagate Philodendron Selloum?

Propagate Philodendron Selloum from healthy stem or root divisions during active growth.

What soil is best for Philodendron Selloum?

Use chunky aroid mix: potting mix + 25 % perlite + 25 % orchid bark + 10 % worm castings. Large pots with multiple drainage holes.

When should I repot Philodendron Selloum?

Repot Philodendron Selloum when roots circle the pot or growth slows despite good care.

Why does my Philodendron Selloum have brown tips?

Low humidity from dry indoor air Quick fix: Increase humidity to 50%+; large leaf surface transpires heavily

How this Philodendron Selloum problems guide is reviewed?

Editorial policy Review board

Written by · Reviewed by LeafyPixels Review Board · Updated June 17, 2026

This Philodendron Selloum problems problem guide was researched and written by . Problems symptoms on Philodendron Selloum, lookalike causes, and step-by-step fixes are cross-checked against extension pest, disease, and care references before publication.

We prioritize sources that hold up under scrutiny:

University cooperative extension bulletins and fact sheets (Penn State, Clemson, UMD, NC State, and similar programs)
Botanical garden and horticultural society publications
Peer-reviewed plant science and veterinary toxicology references where pet safety matters (including ASPCA Animal Poison Control)
Established reference works on indoor plant culture

The LeafyPixels editorial team then reviews the draft for clarity, step-by-step usefulness, and fit with real apartment and home conditions-not ideal greenhouse setups. When guidance changes materially, we update the page and note the revision date.

Sources used

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increasing humidity around the plant (n.d.) Managing Houseplant Pests. [Online]. Available at: https://extension.colostate.edu/resource/managing-houseplant-pests/ (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
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low household humidity (n.d.) Philodendron Pothos Monstera. [Online]. Available at: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/philodendron-pothos-monstera/ (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
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magnesium deficiency (n.d.) Philodendron Diseases. [Online]. Available at: https://extension.psu.edu/philodendron-diseases (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
many houseplants suffer when people adhere to a schedule (n.d.) Watering. [Online]. Available at: https://extension.illinois.edu/houseplants/watering (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
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Philodendron Selloum is toxic to pets (n.d.) Philodendron Pertusum Selloum. [Online]. Available at: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/philodendron-pertusum-selloum (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
philodendrons tend to see more spider mite outbreaks (n.d.) Houseplant Pests. [Online]. Available at: https://extension.umn.edu/news/houseplant-pests (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
prefer tender new growth (n.d.) Aphids. [Online]. Available at: https://pestsense.cahnrs.wsu.edu/fact-sheet/aphids/ (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
reproduce quickly (n.d.) Aphids. [Online]. Available at: https://extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/aphids (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
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root rot can occur in overly damp soil (n.d.) Philodendron Bipinnatifidum. [Online]. Available at: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/philodendron-bipinnatifidum/ (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
rotting roots cannot take up water (n.d.) Overwatering. [Online]. Available at: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/environmental/overwatering (Accessed: 17 June 2026).
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