Vivarium Plant Spotlight: Philodendron verrucosum
Philodendron verrucosum is one of the most popular vivarium plants in the hobby, and it is a perfect candidate for tropical enclosed ecosystems. It is a climbing/vining hemiepiphytic aroid that has gorgeous, velvety, heart-shaped leaves with green veins and reddish undersides. It is native to Central and South America. I have it in at least half of my poison dart frog enclosures. It is easily propagated by stem cutting. I would absolutely include this species in my Top 10. It is readily available at nurseries and online. If you have a local plant or vivarium society, you can probably get some cuttings from other hobbyists.
Family: Araceae
Origin: Central and South America
Growth: Climbing vine (hemiepiphytic)
Leaf Characeristics:
Juvenile: small to medium elongated heart-shaped leaves that are medium green with less contrasting veins and underside that has a light green to faint reddish tint
Mature: large leaves (20-40+ cm) that are broad and cordated with pronounced lobes that have a thick, velvety texture, color is deep green to bluish green with highly contrasting silvery or light-green veins, underside is a rich red, burgundy or purple tones
Light: bright, indirect light that mimics filtered rainforest light under the canopy
Water: consistently moist, but never waterlogged
Humidity: 70-90%
Temperature: 72-82°F (22-28°C)
Soil: airy, fast-draining
Propagation: stem cuttings