Split leaf philodendron roots?

George K
by George K
I have a huge ( 6 ft across) philodendron, and need to know if I can trim the many roots, which are like tendrils reaching toward the floor...
tendrils
philo the huge!!
  8 answers
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Apr 18, 2012
    George K, that is one beautiful, healthy plant. I will tell you that you can trim it because I took an indoor plant from GA to Florida and trimmed it and when it got too big I planted it in my backyard. It is a lovely, tropical looking plant. It gets huge. It even comes back after any unusually harsh Florida winters.
  • George K George K on Apr 18, 2012
    Did you trim the whole plant? OR the roots, or both?
  • Sherrie S Sherrie S on Apr 18, 2012
    When I planted it I trimmed the whole plant including the roots that had grown outside the pot. It was huge so it had to be trimmed. It is planted outdoors in a shady area because this is Florida. It has been here about 10 years. Our winter this year made it look bad but it will come back as beautiful as ever. If you keep it inside you don't have to worry about cold. You might also need a larger planter for it (even after trimming).
  • Pam Pam on Apr 19, 2012
    Yes. They are just filled with water as a resevoir for when it gets no rain or watering. I cut all mine a few months ago and my philodendron is thriving.
  • George K George K on Apr 19, 2012
    Thanks, all!!
  • Kay Smith Kay Smith on Jun 17, 2015
    Mine is about this large and I do not touch the long roots, just keep watering and it keeps looking healthy.
  • BAR1900677 BAR1900677 on Jul 03, 2015
    THEY ARE AIR ROOTS WHEN THE SOIL IS DRY
  • Mary Billman Mary Billman on Jul 29, 2015
    yes, I cut mine all the time