Philodendron Panduriforme and Bipennifolium are both rare but preferred aroids. Both have unique leaves that are not heart-shaped like most philodendrons. Their leaves look so much alike that many collectors consider them the same plant.
However, they are different plants that share a few apparent similarities. If you are unable to set these plants apart, this article will be helpful.
In this Philodendron Panduriforme vs. Bipennifolium guide, we will discuss the differences between both plants. We will also give you an insight into the characteristics of each plant.
Table of Contents
What is Philodendron Panduriforme?
This plant is commonly known as “Wolf’s Head Philodendron.” Unlike the standard heart shape common in Philodendron and Scindapsus varieties, this plant has leaves with lobes.
The Philodendron Panduriforme plant is native to tropical parts of South America. This includes Peru, the Amazon rainforest, and Colombia.
As a tropical vine, Philodendron Panduriforme is a tree hugger and a natural climber. This plant is also a pretty large vine that needs plenty of space.
This Philodendron does a great job as a decorative houseplant. It has eye-catching evergreen foliage. Another benefit of ornamenting your home with this Philodendron is its air-filtering functions.
The leaves of Philodendron Panduriforme look like an arrow. However, a juvenile plant does not feature such elongated leaves.
Younger leaves emerge and develop as cordate ones but end up oval, lobed, and fenestrated. Caring for this plant is not a tough job, as it is a low-maintenance philodendron variety.
What is Philodendron Bipennifolium?
Philodendron Bipennifolium is commonly known as the horsehead or fiddle leaf philodendron. This ornamental vine is famous for its big leaves and evergreen foliage.
This plant is home in the rainforests of South America, including Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. The plant features slim and lengthy stems and a Hemi-epiphytic growth pattern.
Due to its tropical origin and growth, this plant grows as a climber and a trailing vine. Its leaves have a leathery feel and a glossy texture. This is a humidity-loving plant that does not tolerate cold weather.
This plant is not considered safe for humans or pets. This makes it toxic, just like Philodendron Panduriforme and the other philodendrons.
Differences between Philodendron Panduriforme and Bipennifolium
Philodendron Panduriforme and Bipennifolium are unique varieties of this humongous genus. Both of them are aroids as well. They have many similarities in their physical appearances that make them often confused for each other.
There is a lot of mislabeling and confusion in selling these two. New growers might buy Philodendron Panduriforme, which carries the label of Bipennifolium, and vice versa.
1. Leaf shape
Both plants have lobed leaves, but the details of the leaves set these plants easily apart. The leaf of the Panduriforme plant features three lobes. This shape of lobes makes it resemble a pandurate.
Additionally, the lobes on the back of the leaf are pointed outward. The lobes of Philodendron Bipennifolium have a deeply cut shape. This cut makes the entire leaf resemble a horse head.
The leaves of Philodendron Bipennifolium are elongated and slimmer. The tips of Philodendron Panduriforme are round, while those of Philodendron Bipennifolium are more pointy.
2. Leaf texture
Philodendron Panduriforme and Bipennifolium have glossy and leathery leaves. However, the Panduriforme leaves are way softer. The leaves of Philodendron Bipennifolium have more prominent veins. This makes its leaves more textured.
3. Leaf size
Both plants have big leaves, but Bipennifolium leaves are bigger than Panduriforme leaves. A mature Philodendron Panduriforme leaf reaches a length of 38 cm. A fully grown leaf of a Philodendron Bipennifolium reaches an altitude of nearly 46 cm.
4. Plant size
As juvenile plants, they have similar sizes. However, in the maturity phase, their sizes vary dramatically. Indoors, Philodendron Panduriforme gets huge compared to the Bipennifolium plant.
The Philodendron Panduriforme reaches a height of 2.5 meters. As a mature plant, the Philodendron Bipennifolium reaches a length of 0.91 meters.
5. Light needs
The guide to understanding Philodendron Panduriforme and Bipennifolium begins with their care needs, specifically light. Both plants are tropical and are used to bright indirect sunlight.
However, the Panduriforme can survive when the light is not always bright. The Philodendron Bipennifolium has less tolerance for poor lighting conditions. It will significantly slow down its growth rate.
6. Temperature needs
Philodendron Panduriforme and Bipennifolium thrive in warm tropical atmospheres. This is easy to replicate in an indoor environment. However, it would help if you kept in mind that the ideal temperature for each plant is not the same.
For instance, the Philodendron Panduriforme thrives in temperatures between 18 and 29.5 degrees Celsius. The Philodendron Bipennifolium, on the other hand, needs temperatures between 21 and 26.5 degrees Celsius.
7. Drought tolerance
While both plants adore moisture, the Philodendron Panduriforme gives little room for slight drought tolerance.
However, this tolerance is not for permanent conditions. This plant is not a succulent. This is not the case with the Philodendron Bipennifolium, as this plant has zero tolerance for drought.
8. Humidity levels
Both plants thrive on humidity, but the Philodendron Panduriforme does well in lower humidity. When you keep your Philodendron Panduriforme at least 40% humid, it can survive without any issues.
The Philodendron Bipennifolium, on the other hand, needs humidity levels of at least 60%.
Philodendron Panduriforme vs Bipennifolium: are they the same?
Philodendron Panduriforme and Bipennifolium are not the same plant. They come from the big arum family and show common characteristics. Both of them are toxic to humans and pets. Additionally, they have pretty similar growing conditions.
The leaf shapes of both plants can fool you into believing they are identical. However, looking closely reveals notable differences. The leaves of Bipennifolium look like the shape of a horse’s head.
The Panduriforme has pandurate leaves with rounded tips. The tips of Bipennifolium leaves are pointier.
The texture of both plants’ leaves is glossy and leathery, but the Philodendron Bipennifolium leaves feature more visible veins that add to their texture. The Philodendron Panduriforme plant grows way more extensively than the Philodendron Bipennifolium.
As for the growing conditions, they are pretty similar, but there are slight differences in light, temperature, and humidity.
Lastly, both plants are not drought-tolerant, yet the Philodendron Panduriforme can slightly and temporarily endure dry soil. The Philodendron Bipennifolium won’t show the same level of tolerance.
