Philodendron Selloum Gold is a popular jungle plant native to Mexico and The Caribbean. It grows into a stunning flower expressing bold, neon-green leaves in maturity.
The large, stylish leaves will make the Selloum Gold great for indoor décor. It will fit into any design by adding detail and class indoors.
It’s simple to grow and does not require a lot of maintenance as other plants will. If this plant has caught your eye, consider yourself lucky. It will not disappoint.
Let’s dive in.
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Description of the Philodendron Selloum Gold
The Philodendron Selloum Gold can grow up to 2-5 inches as a house plant when grown in a pot. If you grow as a vine, then the plant can grow out considerably more. In tropical forests, a height of up to 20 feet is possible.
The beauty of this plant is in the leaves. Their shape, colour and size make them so attractive.
The leaves have a distinct shape despite there being hundreds of different plants. Their frilly, neon-green leaves give a pleasant contrast to their surroundings. This gives them a vibrant and bold look, demanding attention from whoever walks in.
Amazingly, in their native habitat, the leaves can spread to around 3-5 feet. This you will not see when growing indoors but relative to a room- the leaves are large.
Benefits of Philodendron Selloum Gold
Its good looks do not come alone. Other benefits that make Selloum Gold a favourite amongst planters include:
Purify the air
For those who love air purifying plants, this is a brilliant choice. The plant helps to remove air pollutants that are toxic to the air. For example, growing this will help reduce carbon monoxide levels. It will not substantially eliminate the amount, but hey, it will make a difference.
Carbon monoxide is proven to cause drowsiness, headaches and a lack of concentration. A study by NASA in 1989 shows how this is one of the better plants to remove chemicals and toxins.
Good Tip!
This can be a great way to purify the air especially if you live in urban regions.
Easy to care
It amazes me how such a beautiful plant is very easy to care for. Just like Philodendron Red Heart, Selloum Gold can survive harsh conditions and thrives under pressure. I am not saying do not bother with the plant, but if you are a beginner or someone who finds themselves not able to give a lot to your plants, this may be perfect.
A great ornamental addition
This has become a popular houseplant because of its lush, attractive nature. Just as you want to have a beautiful coffee table or an eye-catching chandelier, the same principle applies here.
Add in a beautiful pot with top dressing of rocks, pebbles and gravel and you will have the perfect ornamental piece on display.
Variety
With the Selloum Gold, you have two options. You can grow the plant in a pot or grow like a vine.
Naturally, these plants climb onto other plants so they can get as high as possible to receive sunlight. Hence, I would suggest either growing in a hanging basket and letting the leaves dangle down OR growing outdoors. This will look exceptional if you have a fence that you want to cover with leaves. The Selloum Gold will grow and spread out fast to give a good design and outlook outdoors.
Growing in a pot is another option too. When you buy this plant, it is best to pot first until the roots are strong enough. Then you can decide to either continue growing into larger pots as the plant gets bigger or grows like a vine.
It is your choice how you want to style and fit in the Selloum Gold- which I find pretty cool.
Plant Care of the Philodendron Selloum Gold
Philodendron Selloum Gold can grow year-round. Hence, it is a plant you need to monitor from time to time. Below are some principles you will have to maintain throughout:
Sunlight
Keep the plant in part shade and avoid direct contact with the sun. Low to medium sunlight is ideal.
It is best to keep the plant around six feet away from a south-facing window. This is will make sure the plant receives enough sunlight without the sun’s rays hitting plant foliage- which will stunt plant growth.
Soil
Philodendron species prefer slightly moist soil and the Selloum Gold is no different. The plant will thrive if the soil is constantly moist. Hence, do not wait until the soil is completely dry before watering.
To maintain a ‘slightly moist’ is more than watering every so often. It is important to make sure your plant has water drainage properties to allow water to drain after watering to prevent having moist soil.
A good potting mix will comprise coco coir along with perlite to help with drainage. 20% compost as a top layer will also help regulate the soil and maintain drainage.
Good Tip!
Add a top dressing of rocks to add a professional touch. This is cheap and also helps with drainage.
Watering Selloum Gold
Before I mention anything about watering the plant, make sure that the water is tepid. Avoid water that is too cold or hot. This can shock the plant and prevent growth.
I mentioned earlier how the soil likes to be kept ‘slightly moist’. Hence, I would only water once the soil gets slightly dry. The best approach to figure this out is by using the dry and soak method. Dip an index finger into the soil and feel how wet the top inch is. If it is completely dry, water immediately.
Good Tip!
If you are fearful you may over water when trying to keep the spoil moist, it may be best to use a plant spray.
Temperature
Native to tropical climates, it may come as a surprise that the Selloum Gold does not prefer warm temperatures. Instead, it prefers a temperature of around 20-30 degrees celsius.
Hence, if you are growing indoors, your plant will thrive if kept at room temperature. In winter, temperatures drop hence, try using heating or even a heat lamp to give warmth.
Good Tip!
Do not place plants too close to a radiator in winter. Temperature can fluctuate and disrupt plant growth.
Humidity
You do not have to worry about humidity. The Selloum gold absorbs water through its roots, NOT the leaves. Hence, there is no chance of the plant taking up water this way. Despite humidity not being a measure, you will have control strictly, do not stop ventilation and leave the air to dry.
Fertilizer
Using fertilizer depends on the time of the year. During the monsoon and spring seasons, you will need to use a fertilizer frequently. Use a fertilizer every month during spring and summer and every 6-8 weeks during winter.
The plant can grow through a dormant period in winter. Hence, do not worry if growth stops or is very slow.
Once new leaves emerge at the end of winter, continue to fertilize once a month from then on.
Pests
The Selloum gold does not get infested with a lot of pests. Some plants display more colours which attract many pests, but this plant is different.
You may get the occasional mealybugs that can become a problem if left unattended. If you notice any, wipe them off using cotton balls dipped in rubbing alcohol.
When to re-pot Selloum Gold
When the plant is young, it is best to re-pot the plant when it doubles in size. However, some planters focus on the roots to see if they are root-bound. When the roots look like they are trying to burst out of the pot- this is another good time to repot your Selloum Gold.
It is not an emergency to immediately re-pot once you see roots breaking out, but it is good practice to change to a bigger pot as soon as possible. Roots trying to burst out can bend the roots or damage them.
When you repot, try using a pot that is around 4-5cm bigger than the roots. Avoid pots that are only slightly bigger than the roots, as you will repot often!
Teraa cotta pots
I always go with a terra-cotta pot. They are strong, porous and look stylish, too. If you add the Selloum Gold as an ornamental, then it needs a pot to match it to give a professional, stylish outlook.
Terra-cotta pots come in all different shapes, sizes and designs and that is what I love about them.
Top dressing
If you know me by now, you know I love to add a bit of top dressing to my plants. A bit of rock or pebbles on the topsoil can make a big difference. It adds a professional look and will make your ornamental plant fit right in.
Talking about top dressing, check out my post: 6 Reasons why you should start Planting Succulents in Rocks if you want to add rocks to succulents!
Final Words
My message- if you want to get your hands on this because you love plants or are looking for the perfect ornamental plant to grow in your living room – this is a brilliant choice.
It is easy to look after, does not require much care, and can grow annually. We know it as a hardy plant that grows with neglect and lack of care. Hence, if you are a beginner, this plant may be a great option for you.
Regardless if you are a plant hoarder and want to add to your collection, or if you’re a beginner or just want a plant for home decor purposes, the Philodendron Selloum Gold is a good pick!
Good Luck!
