pigskin philodendron Philodendron rugosum – Thick, Bullate 'Pig Skin' Leaves
SKU: 28030433795
pigskin philodendron

pigskin philodendron Philodendron rugosum – Thick, Bullate 'Pig Skin' Leaves

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Description

pigskin philodendron Philodendron rugosum – Thick, Bullate 'Pig Skin' LeavesPhilodendron rugosum Bogner and G. S. Bunting rare leathery leaf aroid from Ecuador Philodendron rugosum, known as the Pigskin Philodendron, is a hemiepiphytic climber native to Ecuadors humid premontane forests. Described in 1977 by Josef Bogner and George Bunting, it is valued for its thick, textured, heart shaped foliage and its steady vertical growth on textured supports. Classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, it is a plant of both ornamental

Philodendron rugosum Bogner and G.S. Bunting – rare leathery-leaf aroid from Ecuador

Philodendron rugosum, known as the “Pigskin Philodendron,” is a hemiepiphytic climber native to Ecuador’s humid premontane forests. Described in 1977 by Josef Bogner and George Bunting, it is valued for its thick, textured, heart-shaped foliage and its steady vertical growth on textured supports. Classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN, it is a plant of both ornamental and conservation interest.

Standout features of Philodendron rugosum

  • Signature texture: Deeply coriaceous blades with a grainy “pigskin” surface and pronounced primary venation.
  • Leaf form: Juvenile leaves are smoother and rounder; mature foliage develops heavier texture and a firmer cuticle.
  • Growth habit: Appressed climbing with short internodes on a moss or fibre pole produces larger leaves and better surface quality.
  • Collector status: Rare in cultivation, sought after for its tactile foliage and compact yet architectural habit.

Native range and ecology

  • Distribution: Endemic to Ecuador, primarily in Pastaza province and neighbouring areas.
  • Elevation: 800 – 1 200 m in premontane wet forest.
  • Microhabitat: Shaded, humid slopes and stream margins with organic-rich soils and high year-round moisture.
  • Associated flora: Grows among mosses, epiphytes, and tree ferns in the lower canopy and understory.

Leaf development and anatomy

The species epithet rugosum refers to the wrinkled, textured surface created by bullate lamina and a thick cuticle. Juvenile foliage is softer and less textured; as the plant matures, blades become more rigid, surface texture deepens, and venation stands out more clearly.

Care guide – replicating its natural habitat

  • Light: Bright, indirect light maintains compact nodes and leaf integrity; avoid harsh direct sun.
  • Water: Water when the top 2 – 3 cm of substrate are dry; fully saturate, then drain.
  • Humidity: Prefers 60 – 75% RH; 70%+ enhances texture and reduces leaf-edge browning.
  • Temperature: Ideal 18 – 27 °C; protect from drafts and avoid rapid fluctuations.
  • Substrate: Airy aroid mix (~35% fine orchid bark, 25% coco coir, 20% perlite/pumice, 10% compost, 10% horticultural charcoal).
  • Feeding: Balanced liquid fertiliser at 25 – 50% label rate every 4 – 6 weeks in active growth; adjust to growth speed.
  • Support: Secure stems to a moss or fibre pole at each node to encourage appressed climbing and larger foliage.

Propagation and alternative culture

  • Stem cuttings: Use one-node cuttings; root in moist sphagnum or an airy substrate before potting up.
  • Semi-hydro: Adaptable if transitioned gradually; maintain nutrient balance and root oxygenation.
  • Pruning: Remove leggy or damaged growth to maintain form and encourage branching.

Common problems and solutions

  • Yellow leaves: Usually overwatering or compacted media; refresh substrate and adjust watering rhythm.
  • Browning tips: Low humidity or irregular moisture; raise RH and stabilise watering.
  • Leaf curl: Underwatering or excess heat/light; check moisture and move to filtered light.
  • Slow growth: Increase bright, indirect light and keep feeding consistent.
  • Pests: Monitor for spider mites, thrips, and mealybugs; treat early with targeted controls.

Inflorescence description

Produces a cream to green spathe with a pale green spadix. Flowering is uncommon indoors and mainly of botanical interest; the plant is grown primarily for foliage.

Conservation status and background

Listed as Near Threatened due to habitat destruction in its native range. The combination of unique texture and conservation value makes Philodendron rugosum both a horticultural prize and a reminder of the importance of preserving Andean foothill forests.

Order Philodendron rugosum

Add Philodendron rugosum to your collection for its rare texture and bold vertical habit. With bright filtered light, high humidity, and a textured support, it rewards careful growers with rugged, unforgettable foliage.

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SKU: 28030433795

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MamaSylvia
Birmingham, US
★★★★★ 4
This sticks to my Chrysler Pacifica!
I bought a new-to-me Chrysler Pacifica and of course wanted a phone holder or two for when my husband and I are travelling. I absolutely adore the car, but I've never had so much trouble finding a phone holder that would stick to the dash, no matter how thoroughly I cleaned it with alcohol! Finally found this one, but it only sticks if you do NOT activate the suction part. That pulls the sticky part off the dash. And it's not very attractive on top of the dash. I'm more concerned with function than appearance so I'm happy with it, and it works great. The phone stays put and stays charged, which is all I ask.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2026
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Donna Gentile
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
A gift that the receiver loves and would recommend
I bought this as a gift for my son he has told me he loves it and works well,he would recommend it
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Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2026
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CheepersCreepers
Dallas, US
★★★★★ 3
Imperfect, sometimes charging is unreliable, clamp needs power to work and annoyingly not auto
The build quality is great for the price. Like iOttie. The tech advancement is cool but it doesn't work very well which is a disappointment. It doesn't charge my phone very fast, because my phone is limited to 15 watt wireless charging, but it's great for preventing battery loss while using GPS. The button to manually clamp and unclamp are a little too hard to press, it flexes the whole holder, so you need to press with your whole hand supporting the holder. Sometimes my phone disconnects and reconnects randomly to this charger multiple times. Not sure if it's the charger or phone but that stinks . (I'm using an Anker 50w USB adapter for this wireless charger) The clamping is motorized which is cool, but it's honestly less reliable than a spring loaded clamp because it doesn't always auto clamp the phone. When this clamp is working properly it is great as it auto clamps onto a phone it's charging. But the issue is it doesn't always clamp. It sometimes thinks it's clamped, when it's not, so you have to press the manual activation button twice so the phone will be locked in place. It's hard to know when you need to press just once or twice. (The reason you press the button twice is if it thinks it's closed when it's actually open. Then you press first to "open" the clamp, even though it's already open, then press again to close it. But if it knows the correct clamp position already, and just refuses to auto clamp, you only press the button once. If you press twice, you will end up cancelling the clamp. It feels random and unpredictable what the correct action is) The clamping requires power which is another disadvantage to spring loaded hand clamps. But unclamping works without power due to a backup battery. (Powered clamping is still better than those manual squeeze clamps, which are finicky to get a strong enough clamp on the phone) I'm not sure how safe the battery is in a super hot car, like Florida heat. It seems fine for Pa heat.
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Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2025
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Iwona
Lowell, US
★★★★★ 5
Great product
UPDATE: Amazing customer service. I didn’t reach out, they did. After some adjustment shaking is minimal. Also regardless the charging. Well apparently my case is not compatible with fast charge. Phone charges fast without the case. Guess that has been my issue with other wireless charges. Definitely recommend. My husband went with another brand and now will be getting the same as mine. Cool idea but definitely not super fast charge. In 40 minutes charged only 10%, was expecting more. Hold phone well but it shakes while driving. Installation was super easy.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 31, 2025
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Emal Amirshah
New York, US
★★★★★ 1
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Don’t waste your money on this phone holder. I had a very bad experience with it, and it damaged my phone twice. The holder opens by itself without warning, causing the phone to fall out while driving. Sometimes I found my phone under the seats, and other times it dropped while I was driving on the highway, which is very dangerous and distracting. One time, the holder suddenly released my phone and it hit the handbrake hard, breaking the screen completely. I had to spend $500 to replace the screen. The opening and locking system does not work properly. Sometimes it opens randomly, and sometimes it closes by itself. The wireless charging is also unreliable — sometimes it charges, and other times it stops charging unexpectedly. When the charging stops, the holder suddenly unlocks and drops the phone. Overall, this product is unsafe, unreliable, and not worth the money.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2026

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