I have both Split Leaf philodenron selloum
(Bad spelling) and Split Leaf Monstera deliciosa. Very different leaves. Very different growing habits. Makes me think monstera is not a philodendron at all!

Philodendron Selloum does not have splits, slots nor holes Great plant though. Gene

Monstera deliciosa is actually not a philodendron at all, but has casually fallen into the "philodendron" category over time. It takes a lot of searching to find the answer online, because "split leaf" and "monstera" have been used interchangeably for so many years.

Regarding my plant, I was trying to buy a monstera, but I won't be too disappointed if it turns out not to be one. I just liked the plant itself. Maybe because I already have a veriegated monstera that I am sure is such, because I bought it as a cutting from the giant parent plant, which grew about 25' in the greenhouse! Right now it only has 4 original leaves, just waiting for it to take off.

Cheryl- does your split leaf reach outwards, not upwards?

Monstera deliciosa was originally thought to be in the Philodendron genus, but was subsequently determined not to be.

Philodendron selloum is a Philodendron and its deeply lobed leaves could reasonably called "split, " which is not a scientific term. For that reason it is also commonly called split leafed Philodendron. The common plant names that are commonly used are often a source of confusion because the same name is often used for entirely different species. That is why scientists use the botanical names exclusively.

Common names can cause a lot of confusion sometimes. Many plants have the same common name and yet may be from entirely different families and require entirely different care.

Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera obliqua 'Leichtlinii') also has the common name of Split Leaf Philodendron.

Some also know Tree Philodendron (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum) (synonym P. selloum) as Split Leaf Philo.

I have also heard folks at garden centers refer to Thaumatophyllum xanadu as Split Leaf Philodendron.

@Alyssablue My Split Leaf Philodendron is often called a Philodendron Tree or Tree Philodendron. The big leaves a[[ear to be split when they are actually long-lobed. If that is a description? The leaves grow out from the side of what one might call a trunk. It can grow several feet tall in the right conditions. Mine are in the shade. So they grow much slower. (thank you very much!) While at first glance the may appear to grow outward like a monstera, a closer look at the trunk shows it to be very tree-like.

My monstera deliciosa grows like a vine. The leaves are more solid than split. They do form slits, but also have holes in them, hence the name, "Swiss Cheese Plant". The plant does better when supported with a trellis or pole. It will grow and wrap itself around a tree if you let it. If not supported it tends to fall and lay on the ground spreading that direction.

I also have a Philodendron Xanadu that resembles a miniature Philodendron Tree.

Again the common names of some Philodendrons can be confusing. Many varieties are called "tree." There are no tree philo. Ok, they start to grow upright and make look like a small tree for a while but they are really vines. I have some older "trees" and it becomes obvious that they are vines but I assume (oh oh) most people never see such. Gene

I agree, Philodendrons are not trees. "Tree Philodendron" is a common name because some can have the appearance of growth habit that looks like a tree, such as this one, which especially looks like a tree form since I removed the lower leaves:


They are actually climbers and put out adventitious/aerial roots that will hang down and take root in the ground or reach out to seek a tree or structure to climb. The second photo shows one in my yard that has a couple of roots encircling an oak tree.

Such a beautiful vine. I'm jealous. Gene

Yes, with Gene, zone envy here too. I visited St. Helena/Fripp Island this past fall, and they have them all over the place, especially near the beach. And what's worse, they are only half a zone away. I'm in 8a and they are in 8b. Ahhh, that's not fair.

Once, a long time ago I ran across a plant store, greenhouse for sale in N. IL. All the plants were gone except for one HUGE Philo. Selloum that took up the entire end of the greenhouse. 40' tall and 40' wide. Too many "baby" vines to try and count. I tried to find out who was selling and could I bid on the plant. No response. Not exactly sure what I would have done with it but I'll remember it for a long time. Gene

Here's my biggest Selloum. In the shade of a large Maple for the summer. Zone 5A, no greenhouse, no sunroom. Gene

Just to make sure we get back to the subject of the thread - a hint of what my largest Variegated Split Leaf look like. Gene

Fabulous plant, Gene! And I'm so glad you got out of that place fast. You were in the presence of a true Audrey!