Philodendron Joepii - Nature's Most Unusual Sculpture
If you've ever wondered what a plant designed by a surrealist artist might look like, meet Philodendron Joepii. This extraordinary species produces leaves so unusual that when Dutch naturalist Joep Moonen first discovered it in the rainforests of French Guiana in 1991, he assumed insects had damaged them. It was only after finding multiple plants with the same distinctive shape that he realised this bizarre, sculptural form was completely natural.
The leaves are genuinely unlike anything else in the Philodendron genus. Each one features a dramatic tri-lobed shape with a long, narrow central section that widens into a broad paddle at the tip, flanked by two small ear-like posterior lobes. The dramatic constriction in the middle creates an hourglass or boat paddle silhouette that makes every leaf look like a piece of intentional art. It's the kind of plant that stops people mid-sentence and demands explanation.
Once considered nearly extinct in the wild and prohibitively expensive, tissue culture propagation has made this remarkable species more accessible to collectors. However, it remains one of the rarest and most sought-after Philodendrons, prized by serious collectors worldwide for its extraordinary appearance and fascinating discovery story.
Light Requirements
Philodendron Joepii thrives in medium to bright indirect light. In its natural rainforest habitat, it grows as a climber, reaching upward through the canopy in search of dappled sunlight. Replicate this by positioning near an east or west-facing window where it receives bright but filtered light throughout the day.
Interestingly, the best leaf colour often develops in slightly lower light settings, so don't feel you need to push bright conditions. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the unique foliage, and avoid very low light, which can cause leggy growth and yellowing leaves.
Watering
Allow the top 2-5cm of soil to dry out between waterings, then water thoroughly. This typically means watering every 1-2 weeks, adjusting based on light levels and season. Water more frequently in brighter conditions and less in lower light or during winter.
Like many Philodendrons, Joepii is susceptible to root rot from overwatering. It's far safer to underwater than overwater this plant. If leaves begin to droop from thirst, they'll recover quickly after watering, but root rot can be devastating.
Humidity and Temperature
As a rainforest native, Joepii appreciates humidity levels of 60% or higher, though it adapts reasonably well to average household conditions. Higher humidity encourages larger leaves and helps new growth unfurl smoothly. Consider a humidifier or grouping with other tropicals to boost humidity.
Maintain temperatures between 18-27°C, with the sweet spot around 18-23°C. Avoid cold draughts, temperatures below 13°C, and sudden temperature fluctuations. Keep away from air conditioning and heating vents.
Potting Medium
A well-draining, chunky aroid mix is essential. Joepii grows as an epiphyte in nature, attaching to trees rather than growing in dense soil. Our Ultimate Aroid Mix provides the perfect balance of drainage and moisture retention, or create your own using quality potting mix with generous additions of perlite, orchid bark, and sphagnum moss.
Climbing Support - Essential for Impressive Foliage
As a natural climber, Philodendron Joepii produces its most spectacular foliage when given vertical support. Without support, the plant may sprawl and produce smaller leaves. Provide a Grow Vertical Propstick or moss pole and keep it moist to encourage aerial root attachment.
The transformation when climbing is remarkable. Supported plants develop increasingly large, dramatically shaped leaves that showcase the full sculptural potential of this species. If you want to see what makes Joepii truly special, give it something to climb.
Feeding Your Philodendron Joepii
Feed with Growth Technology Foliage Focus at 3-5ml per litre every 4-6 weeks during the growing season from September through March. Add Growth Technology Rootzone at 1ml per litre every 2-4 weeks to support healthy root development. Reduce or stop feeding in autumn and winter when growth naturally slows. Avoid over-fertilising, which can cause salt buildup and leaf damage.
Perfect For
- Serious collectors seeking rare specimens
- Anyone who appreciates unusual, sculptural plants
- Plant enthusiasts wanting a conversation starter
- Spaces that need an architectural focal point
- Those fascinated by botanical oddities
- Collectors building a rare aroid collection
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the leaves look damaged or eaten?
They're supposed to look that way! The unusual tri-lobed shape with the narrow central constriction is completely natural. This was exactly what confused Joep Moonen when he first discovered the species. The "eaten" appearance is actually what makes this plant so special and sought-after.
How do I get larger, more dramatic leaves?
Provide a climbing support and keep it moist. Like many climbing Philodendrons, Joepii produces increasingly impressive foliage when growing vertically. Ensure bright indirect light, adequate humidity (60%+), and regular feeding during the growing season.
Is this plant really nearly extinct?
Yes, in its native habitat of French Guiana, Philodendron Joepii is extremely rare with very limited natural distribution. Fortunately, tissue culture propagation has made it more accessible to collectors without further impacting wild populations.
What's the difference between Joepii and 69686?
Both have lobed, sculptural leaves, but Joepii has a more extreme central constriction, creating its distinctive hourglass shape. Philodendron 69686 has similar lobing but the narrowing is less dramatic. Joepii is also slower growing and rarer.
Please Keep in Mind
Philodendron Joepii is a slow to moderate grower that rewards patience. Leaf shape becomes more pronounced and dramatic as the plant matures. Young leaves may show less extreme constriction than mature specimens. Each leaf is unique, and the sculptural quality develops over time with proper care. Philodendron Joepii contains calcium oxalate crystals and should be kept away from curious pets and children.
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
Shipping & Greenhouse Collection
Let's Talk About How Your Plants Get to You!
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 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 'Visit the Greenhouse' 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!
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 🌱
