Philodendron Calkins Gold

Philodendron ‘Calkins Gold’ is a sought-after houseplant prized for its golden variegated foliage. Its long yellow leaves, splashed with green, create a refined tropical atmosphere in the living room, office, or conservatory. A relatively uncommon collector's plant, it is nevertheless quite tolerant if its needs for light, warmth, and humidity are met. Trained on a moss pole in a sunroom or warm greenhouse, this philodendron is sure to turn heads.

Philodendron ‘Calkins Gold’ belongs to the Araceae family. It is a horticultural cultivar of unknown exact origin but often related to Philodendron erubescens or Philodendron domesticum. Some producers list it under the names Philodendron ‘Calkin’s Gold’, ‘Caulkins Gold’, or Philodendron ‘Goldiana Calkins Gold’. Like most philodendrons, it descends from tropical species native to the humid forests of Central and South America. These climbers colonise trunks and branches in the shade of tall trees.

Philodendron ‘Calkins Gold’ is at first bushy, then climbs as soon as it is given a moss pole or support. Its growth is moderate to fast in a warm indoor environment. A mature plant reaches 80 cm to 1 m in height with a spread of 60 to 80 cm in a pot, and more in a greenhouse or conservatory. The leaves are long, narrow, and lanceolate, borne on green petioles. The young leaves emerge light green to fluorescent green, then develop a variegation of speckled yellow and green that intensifies with age: the background can tend towards a more or less pronounced golden yellow, speckled with medium to dark green spots. The leaves can exceed 30 to 40 cm in length on well-cultivated specimens and grow even longer if the plant climbs. The fairly tight internodes maintain a dense appearance, with the leaves standing clearly above the pot, giving this variety a slender, structured silhouette. The flowering is typical of Araceae (spadix surrounded by a spathe); it is rare and of no decorative interest indoors.
Like other philodendrons, ‘Calkins Gold’ is toxic if ingested by humans and pets due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals; the sap can also irritate sensitive skin.

Indoors, this plant appreciates bright or moderate light without direct sun, a gently humid atmosphere, and stable temperatures between 18 and 27 °C; exposure below 15 °C should be avoided. It remains accessible for enthusiasts, provided it is not overwatered and it is given enough light to preserve its golden colouring.
It adapts quite well to a bright living room, a light office, a well-lit kitchen or bathroom, a conservatory or warm greenhouse.

Philodendron ‘Calkins Gold’ can be placed on a pedestal near an east or north-facing window, or as a background in a display of decorative foliage houseplants. It can be placed in a white or black ceramic pot to accentuate its colouring. You can position it near a Philodendron ‘Malay Gold’, an Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen’ or a Syngonium 'Golden Allusion'.