When you look into specific varieties, Philodendrons can get very confusing. There is a lot of misinformation and a general lack of agreement, plus the plants will often just look very similar. One such case is with the Florida varieties of Philodendron and the Philodendron Pedatum.
The Philodendron Pedatum and the Philodendron Florida species are similar, and theories exist that both Florida Beauty and Florida Ghost (plus all of their variegations) are hybrids and cultivars of the Pedatum.
As you can imagine, this makes them look very similar, and they can often get confused for one another. Thankfully, we are here to help you learn their differences and understand how they are closely related. So if you want to learn more about these three versions of Philodendron, continue reading below.
Is a Philodendron Pedatum a Florida Ghost?
The Philodendron Pedatum and the Florida Ghost are very similar, and some people don’t agree that they are different species. Essentially, the Philodendron Pedatum is the original plant, with the Florida Ghost being a cultivar of that plant.
That means the Florida Ghost was essentially a set of Pedatums bred for specific characteristics.
Some differences make them possible to tell apart. For example, usually, the Florida Ghost often has smaller leaves. There also isn’t that much change between the new leaves and mature leaves in terms of shape.
The Philodendron Pedatum tends to have leaves between 8 to 12 inches in length (20 to 30.5 cm). The leaves start oval-shaped and change to lobed leaves as they mature.
However, how most people tell the plants apart is the colors. Usually, Philodendron Pedatum has rich green leaves, and there is little to no variegation. The color is the same, even from new to mature leaves.
Philodendron Florida Ghost has leaves that are a lot lighter, and they usually have a lot of variegation. Usually, the young leaves are light and darken a little over time. Sometimes, they may even have white leaves that turn bright green as they age.
Florida Beauty vs. Florida Ghost vs. Philodendron Pedatum
Trying to determine the difference between these three varieties of Philodendron can be pretty difficult. With a glance, or when you aren’t sure what you are looking for, there isn’t an easy way to tell them apart.
Thankfully, it gets a lot easier once you know what you are looking for. Usually, the leaves and stems make these three stand out, so that is the main difference we will discuss.
Florida Ghost
Starting with the Florida Ghost, they are often one of the easiest to tell apart from the other two because they have very light leaves. These leaves can be anywhere from white to light and bright green. They will also have a lot of Variegation on the leaves.
Sometimes, this isn’t easy to discover because new Florida Ghost plants don’t always have light leaves when they are younger, and they may not be their standard color if they aren’t getting enough indirect light.
Florida Beauty
When it comes to Florida Beauty, it gets a little complicated. There are two main types of Florida Beauty. Most people associate the ones with yellow leaves and bright green-yellow leaves as the same plant. Not even those that study the plants can tell them apart or give a definitive answer.
Another way to tell Florida Beauty apart is the stems. They have red stems and petioles. The stems are also very bumpy and rough, similar to sandpaper. This is because it is a mix of a Philodendron Pedatim and Philodendron Squamiferum. Squamiferums have fuzzy petioles, and something about breeding smooth and fuzzy petioles together created rough, bumpy petioles, which is what makes the Florida Beauty stand out.
Philodendron Pedatum
Philodendron Pedatum usually has smooth petioles that are greener. Also, the leaves are generally darker than the other two plants.
Besides these three, there are many variegations, including Florida Mint, Florida New Ghost, and Philodendron Florida Beauty Variegation. However, before you break them down into variegations and hybrids, these are the main ways to tell these three plants apart.
As you can imagine, since the Florida varieties have Pedatum as the parent plant, they all look a little similar, which is why they can be so hard to tell apart. There are minor differences, but no hard and fast rule. This is because there are so many variegations and hybrids of each of these three that sometimes the rules don’t apply.
For example, though Florida Ghost is often white, there is a variety that gives mint green leaves. Some also turn darker as they age and may even be dark green. Unfortunately, this can make them very hard to tell apart if you don’t have a classic version of these Philodendrons.
Are the Philodendron Florida Beauty, Florida Ghost, or Philodendron Pedatum Rare?
All three of the Philodendron we have discussed today are rare. While they aren’t the rarest of Philodendron species, they are still hard to find sometimes. This is partially due to the confusion on their actual labeling and the fact that they often get mixed up.
Since they are hybrids or variegations, this makes them rare, as they can only be bred or propagated, and there is no chance of finding and harvesting them in the wild.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are All Florida Beauty Variegated?
Almost all Florida Beauty are variegated. There is only one exception, which is the Florida Beauty plants that are labeled as green. However, they are varieties of variegations, as Florida Beauty is considered a variegation of the Pedatum and Squamiferum Philodendron hybrid.
Does Florida Ghost Turn Green?
A Florida Ghost can turn green. Usually, they should be a very light green to almost white. However, if they aren’t given enough sun, they may turn to a darker green color. Others may be white and never get darker than a pale mint green color.
Mint varieties change to lovely mint green, and some may be white unless they don’t get a lot of light. Some people break these up into different variegations, but others just classify them under one plant. So, unfortunately, when you buy one online, you may not be sure which one you are getting or the color it will be.
Why Is My Florida Ghost Not White?
If you want Florida Ghost leaves to stay white as they grow more mature, ensure that your plant gets plenty of bright and indirect light. Otherwise, the leaves may start to turn darker.
Some Florida Ghosts aren’t white, as a few variegations will be lighter than others. If you are unsure which variegation you have, you can talk to others online or do some research. You may have variegations such as the Florida Mint that are actually meant to turn green rather than white.
Is Philodendron Pedatum a Fast Grower?
The Philodendron Pedatum is a fast grower. They are considered very fast growers. They also enjoy climbing, so they want many things to climb on. They can get as tall as 9 feet (2.7 m) high and 1 foot (0.3 m) wide.
Some people have reported the Philodendron Pedatum to grow as quickly as 4 inches (10 cm) a week in the spring and summer growing seasons.
Summary
As you can see, the Philodendron Florida varieties and variegations aren’t the same as a Philodendron Pedatum, but they are very similar. This can lead to a lot of confusion in determining which plant is which, and even now, there are a lot of arguments on what makes the plants different and where some of the variegations and cultivars fall under.
The Philodendron Pedatum vs. Florida species are similar, and theories exist that both Florida Beauty and Florida Ghost (plus all of their variegations) are hybrids and cultivars of the Pedatum.
Since the Florida varieties are rumored to come from a mix of the Pedatum and the Squamiferum Philodendrons, you can see how they are often confused with one another, despite being a little different.