Esmerelda - Philodendron esmereldense - 1.3L / 14cm / Small
$50.00Philodendron esmeraldense - Limited Availability from Private Collection
Philodendron esmeraldense is a rare and elegant climbing aroid prized for its luxuriously long, pleated leaves that unfurl in a rich, deep green with a soft, velvety sheen. Native to the Esmeraldas province of Ecuador, this species is known for its striking leaf texture—heavily corrugated and deeply veined, often reaching over 60cm long in ideal conditions. As a climbing philodendron, it benefits enormously from support, developing larger and more dramatic foliage when grown up a moss pole or totem.
Still uncommon in cultivation, P. esmeraldense is sought-after by collectors for its tropical jungle aesthetic and graceful presence. It’s ideal for warm, humid interiors with filtered light, and makes a stunning statement in stairwells, bathrooms, or bright corners where it can climb.
Toxic if ingested.
Care Instructions
Light: Bright, indirect light is best. Avoid direct sun which can damage the delicate leaf surface.
Water: Keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy. Allow the top 2–3cm to dry out between waterings.
Humidity: High humidity (60% or more) is ideal. Use a humidifier or pebble tray in drier homes.
Temperature: Keep above 16°C. Prefers stable warmth without cold drafts.
Fertiliser: Feed every 4–6 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half strength.
Support: Provide a moss pole or fern slab to encourage larger leaves and vertical growth.
Repotting: Every 1–2 years. Use a chunky, airy aroid mix for good drainage and root aeration.
Pests: Check for spider mites and thrips, particularly in dry indoor environments. Maintain humidity to prevent infestations.
Plant Size Guide
The plant in the photos is an example and an approximate guide only however we try to show an average sized example. Sizes, flowering state and colours change throughout the seasons and variation will occur. In summer & autumn, plants are often larger or the same size as than the example picture but around winter and spring, they can be a little smaller but still at a size similar to the example. We aim to update the pictures to reflect significant differences.
Plant Heights - because the plant's foliage must fit inside our Plant Cartons, the actual height of a plant's central trunk (meristem) will be shorter than the box it fits in.
Small Plants - 14cm wide nursery pot - 1 Litre volume - Plants fit in a 50cm tall box.
Medium Plants - 17cm wide pots either 2L hanging pot or 2.5L nursery pot - Plants fit in a 75cm tall box.
Large Plants - 25cm wide pot, 10L volume. Plants fit in a 100cm tall box.
XL Plants - Plants over 100cm tall in pot sizes specified, 25cm/10L or greater and are hand delivered within Auckland/Northland only.
Dispatch Times
Plant courier orders are processed Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.
North Island orders are targeted overnight delivery, South Island orders are sent on a 2-day target but these are not a guaranteed delivery timeframe.
Add 1 extra day after a public holiday as well as for rural addresses or remote towns.
Monday - We send orders placed on previous Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
Tuesday - We send Weekend orders from previous Saturday & Sunday.
Wednesday - We send orders placed from Monday & Tuesday.
XL Plants are delivered only within urban Auckland & Whangarei and this service is for non-urgent orders. This excludes satellite destinations such as Beachlands, Pukekohe, Piha, Helensville etc and Whangarei Heads. We may deliver at any time Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Thursday in Auckland and you need to have a sheltered accessible position for us to deliver to.
Plants in Transit
Each Small, Medium & Large plant is individually contained within its own protective cardboard Plant Carton which may be joined to other cartons in your order.
Plants typically take just a day or two to arrive, however they are usually fine in their cartons for 1-2 weeks, and many can go longer, so a few extra days are not usually cause for concern.
Whether it takes 1 or 7 days, let your plant recover from its journey by placing in gentle light and adding a little water and it will be back to its best within a couple of days. Let us know if there are any major issues via the contact page.
