Why are my leaves turning yellow?

This is often a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.

Does it need direct sun?

It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its deep green color.

Plant guide

Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum.

Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum

Pronounced thaw-ma-toh-FILL-um by-pin-na-ti-FID-um

Tree Philodendron — Photo by B. Phalan (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This tropical beauty is famous for its massive, deeply lobed leaves that bring a lush jungle vibe to any room. It grows into a wide, shrubby plant that really makes a statement in larger spaces. You will love how it fills a corner with its dramatic, arching foliage.

Another photo of Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum — Photo by Paulo C. O. Cunha (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical evergreen shrub
Light: Bright indirect light is best, though it can handle some morning sun.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 10 days
Mature size: Up to 3 meters tall and wide.
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to early summer

Care

Give this plant plenty of space to spread out as it grows quite wide. Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy, and watch for yellowing leaves which often signal overwatering. Wipe the large leaves down occasionally to keep them free of dust and looking their best.

Watering: Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim away any yellow or damaged leaves at the base of the stem to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Move to a larger container once the roots begin to circle the bottom of the pot.
Soil: Well draining, peat based potting mix.
Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 30°C
Humidity: 50 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many decades with proper care.
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are toxic to humans and pets if ingested.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from small children as the leaves and stems contain irritating crystals.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which cause severe irritation if ingested.

How to identify it

Deeply lobed, glossy green leaves
Large, arching, woody stems
Heart shaped leaf base
Mature leaves reach three feet long

Height: 1.5 to 3m
Spread: 1.5 to 3m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: white, cream, 10 to 20cm
Fruit: green, yellow, Late summer

Problems to watch for

Brown Leaf EdgesCommon
Root RotCommon
Spider MitesCommon
ChlorosisUncommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
MealybugsUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
ThripsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division, seed
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Move to a frost free location if temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius. Reduce watering significantly during the cooler months.
In containers: It grows very well in large containers, provided they have excellent drainage.

Stem cuttings

1. Select a healthy stem with at least one node.
2. Cut just below the node.
3. Place in water or moist potting mix until roots form.

Group this plant with other tropicals to create a microclimate that helps maintain higher humidity levels.

Grows well with

Calathea · They share similar requirements for humidity and indirect light.
Ferns · Ferns provide a soft textural contrast to the large, bold leaves.

Similar species

Split leaf philodendron · Often confused due to their large, lobed leaves.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Thaumatophyllum
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: South America, specifically Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay.
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered in its native South American range.

It grows as an understory plant in tropical forests, often climbing or rooting into the forest floor.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: beetles
Uses: ornamental foliage, indoor specimen, tropical landscaping

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 5/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves turning yellow?: This is often a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.
Does it need direct sun?: It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its deep green color.

Where the name comes from

The name Thaumatophyllum comes from Greek words meaning wonder and leaf, referring to its impressive foliage.

Good to know

It was formerly classified as Philodendron bipinnatifidum.
The leaves can grow up to a meter long in ideal conditions.
It develops a woody trunk as it matures.
The plant can produce heat to spread its scent further.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.