Philodendron goeldii

Philodendron goeldii, or Thaumatophyllum spruceanum, is a large, tree-like philodendron from the Araceae family, still uncommon in our homes. Its palmate foliage, arranged in a crown around a short trunk, creates an architectural silhouette, somewhere between a miniature palm and a false schefflera. A houseplant with a definite exotic character, it is best placed in a bright living room or conservatory, near a glazed bay window with a sheer curtain.

Native to northern South America (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela), Philodendron goeldii lives in humid tropical forests, both on riverbanks and in the understorey, where it behaves as a hemiepiphytic shrub with powerful aerial roots. Described in 1957 by G.M. Barroso, it is now often placed in the genus Thaumatophyllum; its main synonyms are Philodendron spruceanum and Thaumatophyllum spruceanum. It is also found in garden centres under the trade name Philodendron ‘Fun Bun’, but without a clear status in botanical databases.
This plant forms a thick trunk that can exceed 5 cm in diameter, topped with long compound leaves: each leaf, borne on a petiole that can reach over a metre in length, unfurls in a star shape and divides into 10 to 20 oblong, leathery, glossy dark green leaflets, which can measure up to 40–50 cm long. Over time, its growth can reach 1.20 m to 1.50 m in height with a spread of 1 m. In a large pot, it forms a luxuriant mass. Its spathe and spadix, cream to white inflorescences, appear on mature specimens. They are rarely seen in indoor cultivation. 
Like most philodendrons, it contains calcium oxalate crystals, is toxic if ingested, and its sap can irritate the skin; it is prudent to keep it out of reach of young children and pets.

Indoors, this species appreciates bright, filtered light, humidity around 60–70%, and stable temperatures between 18 and 27 °C. Recommended for enthusiasts who are already somewhat experienced, it particularly dislikes air that is too dry or sudden temperature changes, which quickly mark the leaves. 
With a few adjustments, it will do well in a living room or temperate conservatory, but also in a bright bathroom where it benefits from natural humidity.

This large and beautiful green plant looks good in a simple, large ceramic or painted metal pot, placed on the floor near a glazed bay window with a sheer curtain. It also settles happily in a conservatory heated in winter. You can pair it with a Homalomena 'Camouflage' with variegated foliage, and a low-growing plant like a Gynura aurantiaca to accentuate its tree-like habit. In the background, you could add a Philodendron xanadu (Thaumatophyllum xanadu) with deeply lobed leaves and an Aglaonema pictum ‘Tricolor’ with a camouflage pattern.