Question
My friend gave me a vine-type Philodendron to "rescue."  Thinking that it was in its death throes and beyond saving, I cut off all the dead or dying foliage and set the pot outside in my eastern Kansas yard.  To my amazement, by the end of the summer it had sprouted healthy new leaves; however, for the past six months, all the new emerging leaves have two or three "splits" in them.  Otherwise they are healthy leaves.  What is the problem? Thx.

Answer
Hi TJ,

Your Split-leafed Philodendron (Monstera deliciosa) is doing exactly what nature designed it to do. In its native tropical habitat, it grows along the floor of the rain forest until it finds a tree that it can attach itself to and climb. As it climbs, the leaves become larger and are more exposed to wind. The leaves then start to split so that the wind does not pull the vines loose from the tree.

As potted plants, early leaves are whole, but as the plant matures, new leaves start to split. This is part of its genetic makeup, so it is not a problem and there is nothing you can or should do about it.

I have written an article on Philodendron care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at  www.HorticulturalHelp