Philodendron Painted Lady - A Living Work of Art
Prepare to fall in love with the Philodendron Painted Lady, a truly spectacular climbing aroid that looks like nature took a paintbrush to each and every leaf! New leaves emerge in the most glorious chartreuse-yellow, speckled and splashed with brighter green markings that genuinely look hand-painted. As leaves mature, the golden tones deepen to a beautiful mottled green while retaining that artistic, dappled appearance. And those stems? A gorgeous reddish-pink that adds even more colour to this already stunning plant.
This showstopping beauty is a hybrid created in Florida during the 1970s by renowned plant breeder Robert McColley, who crossed Philodendron erubescens 'Burgundy' with Philodendron erubescens 'Emerald Queen'. The result is a plant that combines the best traits of both parents: vigorous climbing habit, striking colouration, and that easy-going Philodendron nature that makes it perfect for both beginners and experienced collectors alike.
The Painted Lady is a climber at heart. In its natural habitat (well, its parents' natural habitat in the Colombian rainforests), it would scramble up trees using aerial roots. Give yours a moss pole or support to climb and you'll be rewarded with increasingly larger, more impressive leaves. Those aerial roots you'll notice growing from the stems aren't a problem; they're actually a sign your plant is happy and doing what Philodendrons do best!
Light Requirements
Philodendron Painted Lady thrives in bright, indirect light. Good light is essential for maintaining that gorgeous yellow-green variegation and those pink petioles. An east-facing window is ideal, or position a metre or so back from a north or west-facing window where it receives plenty of ambient light without harsh direct sun.
While Painted Lady will tolerate medium light conditions, you'll notice the variegation becoming less pronounced and new leaves emerging greener rather than that striking chartreuse-yellow. If you want maximum colour impact, give this beauty the brightest indirect light you can. Direct afternoon sun should be avoided as it can scorch the leaves, but gentle morning sun is perfectly fine.
Watering
Like most Philodendrons, Painted Lady prefers to dry out somewhat between waterings. Allow the top third to half of the potting mix to dry before watering thoroughly, then let excess water drain completely. This plant does not like wet feet!
Overwatering is the most common issue with Philodendrons, leading to yellowing leaves, drooping foliage and potentially root rot. If in doubt, wait another day or two before watering. The leaves will droop slightly when the plant is truly thirsty, giving you a clear signal. In winter when growth slows, reduce watering frequency accordingly.
Humidity and Temperature
Coming from rainforest ancestry, Philodendron Painted Lady appreciates humidity levels of 50-70%. However, one of the great things about this plant is its adaptability to average household conditions. If you notice brown leaf tips developing, this usually indicates humidity is too low.
Boost humidity by grouping plants together, using a pebble tray, positioning in naturally humid rooms, or using a humidifier. Avoid misting directly as water sitting on leaves can encourage fungal issues. You'll notice the aerial roots really start growing vigorously when humidity is to your plant's liking!
Temperature-wise, keep things warm between 18-27°C. Avoid temperatures below 12°C and protect from cold drafts, air conditioning vents and heating sources. This tropical beauty is not cold-hardy and will suffer if exposed to cold conditions.
Potting Medium
As an epiphytic climber, Philodendron Painted Lady needs a well-draining, chunky potting mix with plenty of air pockets. A quality aroid mix works perfectly, or create your own using 2 parts quality potting mix, 1 part perlite and 1-2 parts orchid bark. The chunky nature of this mix allows the roots to breathe while still retaining adequate moisture.
Choose a pot with drainage holes and repot when the plant becomes rootbound, typically every 1-2 years in spring. Move up only one pot size at a time. If you're providing a moss pole for climbing, consider how this will factor into your pot size and stability.
Feeding Your Philodendron Painted Lady
During the growing season (spring and summer), feed fortnightly with Growth Technology Foliage Focus at 3-5ml per litre to support healthy foliage growth and maintain that beautiful variegation. Add Growth Technology Rootzone at 0.5-1ml per litre every 2-4 weeks to support the root system and those climbing aerial roots.
Reduce feeding to monthly in autumn and stop altogether during winter when growth naturally slows. Avoid over-fertilising as this can burn the roots and damage your plant. Always err on the side of less rather than more.
Growth Habits and What to Expect
Philodendron Painted Lady is a climbing aroid that grows as a thick, fleshy vine. While it's not the fastest grower, patience is rewarded with increasingly impressive foliage. Indoor plants typically reach 1-2m tall with support, though they can grow larger in optimal conditions. Individual leaves can reach up to 30cm on mature climbing plants!
Climbing support: Giving your Painted Lady something to climb, such as a Grow Vertical Propstick filled with sphagnum moss, will encourage larger leaves and more vigorous growth. Keep the moss pole moist to encourage those aerial roots to grip on. The difference between a climbing Painted Lady and one left to trail can be remarkable!
About those cataphylls: You'll notice each new leaf emerges protected by a thin, pinkish sheath called a cataphyll. Once the leaf unfurls and begins to harden, this cataphyll will dry up and eventually fall off. This is completely normal and not a cause for concern!
Leaf colour changes: Don't be alarmed when new golden-yellow leaves begin to darken. This is the natural maturation process where chartreuse portions develop into that beautiful mottled green pattern. Each leaf essentially "paints itself" as it matures!
Toxicity Warning
Please note: Philodendron Painted Lady contains calcium oxalate crystals and is toxic to cats, dogs and humans if ingested. Symptoms may include oral irritation, pain, drooling, difficulty swallowing and swelling of the mouth and throat. The sap can also irritate skin and eyes in sensitive individuals. Keep this plant out of reach of curious pets and children, and consider wearing gloves when pruning.
Perfect For
- Aroid Collectors: A must-have for any serious collection!
- Statement Seekers: That colour combination is unforgettable!
- Beginners: Easy care despite the exotic looks!
- Vertical Gardeners: Perfect for moss poles and supports!
- Colour Lovers: Yellow, green and pink in one plant!
- Air Quality Conscious: Natural air purifying properties!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are my new leaves coming out green instead of yellow?
New leaves that emerge green rather than chartreuse-yellow usually indicate insufficient light. Move your plant to a brighter location with more indirect light to encourage that beautiful golden colouration in new growth.
What is the brown papery sheath on the stem?
This is a cataphyll, a protective covering that protects new leaves as they develop. Once the leaf has unfurled and begun to harden, the cataphyll naturally dries out and falls off. This is completely normal and healthy!
Should I give my Painted Lady something to climb?
Absolutely! While Painted Lady will grow without support, providing a moss pole or trellis encourages larger leaves and more vigorous growth. It's a climbing Philodendron by nature and will really thrive when given the opportunity to climb.
Please Keep in Mind
Every Philodendron Painted Lady is unique! The amount of yellow versus green variegation can vary from leaf to leaf and plant to plant. Younger plants may have smaller, less variegated leaves that will become more impressive as the plant matures and climbs. The photos shown are representative examples of the quality and appearance you can expect, but individual plants will have their own character.
If you are from a quarantine restricted state and would like to purchase this plant, we recommend using Paradise Distributors concierge service. Make sure to contact them prior to purchasing: info@rareplants.net.au
LET'S TALK ABOUT HOW YOUR PLANTS GET TO YOU & HOW YOU CAN PICK THEM UP!
Alright, so here's the deal with shipping - we try our best to send all our plants potted and ready to go, but sometimes due to larger orders or when we're moving through some big changes, we'll send some plants semi-bare rooted. If you haven't come across this before, it basically means we carefully remove a bunch of the soil before packing them up. I know that might sound a bit scary if you've never ordered plants online before, but trust me, this is actually a really smart way to do it! The main reason we do this is because it creates so much more room in the box, which means we can fit way more plants in one shipment for you. More plants in one box = more green goodness arriving at your door at once! The plants honestly handle the journey better without all that heavy, wet soil sloshing around too. Just make sure you've got some fresh potting mix ready to go when your green babies arrive, because they'll want to get tucked into their new home pretty quickly!
Now, let's chat about what actually fits in our boxes. We can safely fit about 4-6 plants in one box, or if you're stocking up on supplies, one box can hold 3 bags of medium plus 1L of Growth Technology. We really don't recommend adding heavy items with your plants though - it just puts extra stress on your precious plants during transit and limits how many we can fit. If your order ends up being heavier than our standard box can handle, we'll reach out to you about additional postage fees. We're always transparent about costs, no sneaky surprises!
When Does Everything Ship Out?
Here's how our timeline works - we process and ship orders the week after you place them. So if you order on a Tuesday, your plants will get packed and sent out sometime the following week. We ship Monday through Friday (because let's be real, we all need weekends to recharge!), and we're aiming to get your order out within 4-6 business days of processing. Sometimes things take a tiny bit longer because we're a small but mighty team, and we take absolute care in making sure every single plant is packed perfectly. Like, we're talking individual attention for each plant here. We don't rush this stuff!
Once your order ships, you'll get an email with your tracking number. If you haven't received that tracking email, it just means we're still working on your order - it hasn't left us yet. Please be patient with us! We promise we're working as fast as we can while still making sure everything is done right. We pack orders in chronological order to keep things fair for everyone, so no one's getting special treatment or jumping the queue. First come, first served, that's how we roll!
The Journey to Your Doorstep
All our orders ship with Australia Post, and here's something cool - they operate 24/7! That means even if your order gets sent out on a Friday afternoon, it's still making its way to you over the weekend. The postal system doesn't sleep, and honestly, that's pretty amazing for getting plants to you quickly. You can generally expect your plants to arrive within 2-7 days after we ship them, depending on where you are in Australia. Metro areas tend to be quicker, regional spots might take the full week, but either way, your tracking number will keep you in the loop the whole time.
And here's the thing that always blows people's minds - our plants are absolute troopers. We've tested this extensively, and they can genuinely survive in their boxes for up to three weeks if needed. Obviously we don't want them sitting around that long, but life happens, mail gets delayed sometimes, and we want you to know that your plants are prepped and ready to handle whatever the postal system throws at them. While we do our best to avoid delays, occasional unforeseen circumstances may slightly impact delivery times, but rest assured, your plants are packed with extra care and are tougher than you think!
Quarantine States (WA, NT, TAS)
We currently only ship directly to non-quarantine states. Unfortunately, biosecurity restrictions make it pretty complicated to send plants to Western Australia, Northern Territory, and Tasmania. But don't worry, we've got a solution for you! If you're from a quarantine restricted state and would like to purchase plants from us, we recommend using Paradise Distributors' concierge service. They're absolute legends and can handle all the biosecurity paperwork and requirements for you. Make sure to contact them prior to purchasing so they can give you all the details and help you out: info@rareplants.net.au
Come Visit & Pick Up from the Greenhouse! (Rockdale)
If you're local or just love the idea of picking up your order in person, we've got you covered! Greenhouse collection from our Rockdale location is available the same week you make your purchase. Our opening hours are always changing, so make sure to check booking availability on our 'BOOK TO VISIT' page before purchasing. After you've paid for your order, just head over and book a time slot that works for you. You'll get to pick up your plants AND have a wander through the greenhouse while you're here, which honestly is such a vibe. Just please wear a mask if you're feeling unwell - it's a small space and we want to keep everyone safe and healthy!
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WE DO NOT SHARE THE GREENHOUSE ADDRESS PUBLICLY BECAUSE ITS OUR HOME ASWELL AS BUSINESS, AFTER YOU BOOK YOU WILL RECEIVE AN EMAIL OR TEXT WITH OUR ADDRESS, IF THE GATE IS CLOSED ON ARRIVAL DON'T WORRY WILL BE RIGHT WITH YOU :) AND PLEASE NO BIG BOUNCY DOGS AS ITS A SMALL SPACE & PLANTS GET DAMAGED WITH HAPPY TAILS :)
Catch Us at Markets!
We do regular markets around Sydney and would love to meet you in person! If you'd prefer to skip shipping altogether and grab your order at one of our market stalls, just email us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com and we can arrange collection at an upcoming market. It's a great way to chat plants face-to-face, see what else we've got on the day, and save on postage!
Questions? We're Here for You!
If you've got any questions about shipping, tracking, or literally anything else, please don't hesitate to contact us at info@growinggroundsaustralia.com. We love chatting with you guys and we're always happy to help troubleshoot, answer questions, or just talk plants!
Much love from the GG's Team 🌱
