Araceae
Philodendron McColley's Finale
Philodendron 'McColley's Finale'
A forgiving houseplant: bright light without strong sun, water when part of the mix is dry and an airy potting mix. It tolerates air conditioning and some neglect but dislikes overwatering and cold below 15 °C. Toxic to people, dogs and cats.
Every 7 days
Partial shade
16° - 32°C
50% - 60%
Categories
What is Philodendron McColley's Finale?
Philodendron McColley's Finale (Philodendron 'McColley's Finale') is a easy-care plant from the Araceae family. Philodendron 'McColley's Finale' is a hybrid philodendron bred in Florida and patented in the United States in 2001. It does not climb: it forms a compact, almost stemless rosette about 40 cm tall and up to 90 cm wide. The leaves, up to 40 cm long, are elongated hearts that change color with age: th...
Philodendron McColley's Finale grows up to 40cm, spread of 90cm, watering every 7 days, 16°C – 32°C, 50–60% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Philodendron McColley's Finale tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 14 days.
How to Care for Philodendron McColley's Finale?
TLDR: Philodendron McColley's Finale needs Partial shade, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 16-32°C with 50-60% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Philodendron McColley's Finale?
Water when the top 30-50% of the mix is dry, roughly once a week in warm weather, soaking the whole root ball and letting it drain. Water less in winter. Constantly soggy soil yellows the leaves and rots the roots.
How Much Light Does Philodendron McColley's Finale Need?
Bright, indirect light. Strong direct sun scorches the leaves; in low light the new leaves lose their deep red.
What Is the Best Soil for Philodendron McColley's Finale?
Airy, fast-draining mix with bark, coco coir and perlite that holds a little moisture.
What Pot Should You Use for Philodendron McColley's Finale?
Pot with drainage holes, only slightly larger than the root ball; plastic or ceramic.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
Rotate
Every 14 days
Repot
Every 730 days
What Is Philodendron McColley's Finale and Where Does It Come From?
Philodendron 'McColley's Finale' is a hybrid philodendron bred in Florida and patented in the United States in 2001. It does not climb: it forms a compact, almost stemless rosette about 40 cm tall and up to 90 cm wide. The leaves, up to 40 cm long, are elongated hearts that change color with age: they open bright chestnut red, darken, and mature to green stained with dark red. The leaf stalks are nearly black with a red tint, so the plant shows red leaves in the center and green ones outside at the same time. Like all philodendrons, it is toxic if chewed.
How to Propagate Philodendron McColley's Finale?
Basal offshoots
Wear gloves: the sap irritates skin. Commercially it is propagated by tissue culture.
- 1 Unpot the plant once it has side shoots at the base
- 2 Cut away a shoot that has its own roots with a clean knife
- 3 Pot it in a small pot of airy mix
- 4 Keep in bright indirect light and high humidity until established
Materials needed:
Stem cuttings
Because the stem is very short, separating offshoots is usually easier.
- 1 Cut a stem section with at least one active node
- 2 Let the cut dry for a few hours
- 3 Set it in moist moss or mix
- 4 Keep warm and humid until it roots
Materials needed:
How Big Does Philodendron McColley's Finale Grow?
TLDR: Philodendron McColley's Finale can reach up to 40cm tall with Medium growth rate.
Max height
40cm
Spread
90cm
Growth rate
Medium
Foliage
Evergreen
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Philodendron McColley's Finale?
TLDR: Philodendron McColley's Finale is susceptible to 6 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Overwatering
Overwatering occurs when plants receive too much water, depriving roots of oxygen and causing root rot. This environmental stress is one of the most common causes of houseplant death, as waterlogged soil prevents roots from breathing and functioning properly.
Sunburn (Sun Scorch)
Sunburn or sun scorch is an environmental condition that occurs when plants are exposed to intense, direct sunlight beyond their tolerance level. This causes the breakdown of chlorophyll in the leaves, resulting in bleached, dried, and damaged foliage. The damage can happen rapidly, sometimes within just a few hours of exposure.
Cold Damage
Cold damage, also known as frost injury, occurs when plants are exposed to freezing or near-freezing temperatures. This environmental stress can cause cellular damage as ice crystals form within plant tissues, rupturing cells and disrupting normal plant functions. Chilling injury can also occur in sensitive species at temperatures between 32-55°F (0-10°C), even without actual freezing.
Fun Facts
It is a US-patented cultivar, granted in 2001.
It came from a philodendron breeding program run near Orlando, Florida, since the 1960s.
In warm, humid conditions it can put out a new leaf every week.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my McColley's Finale leaves turning green?
How often should I water it?
Is it toxic to cats and dogs?
Does it climb?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
