Philodendron – Flowering

Q: We have a split leaf philodendron with what appears to be a blossom. We cut it back about 8 years ago. The leaves were split when we acquired the original plant it but over time, the split disappeared. The plant has gotten rejuvenated the last year or so and all leaves are again split. Is this a flower?

A: Your instincts are right on the money! What you’re seeing is a flower. The whole thing is called a spathe and the knobby thing in the center is a spadix. In their natural habitat, philodendrons are pollinated by beetles, moths and ants. If it were pollinated, your spadix would be covered with little sticky seed capsules several weeks later.