Philodendron serpens and squamicaule regularly get mixed up and sold as one another. It’s understandable, because they are similar plants.
However, when side by side you can see the clear differences!
Serpens:
1. Long white-green hairs that are thick but not densely packed
2. Although a couple come up, the hairs on serpens don’t grow on the leaf posterior ribs and midrib
3. New leaves on serpens emerge with pale green backs
Squamicaule:
1 Short reddish hairs that are fine and very dense
2. Hairs grow on posterior and midrib of leaf
3. I didn’t have an example for the reel, but new leaves on squamicaule come out with reddish backs. There are different color morphs for each plant, but squam is red.
This is not an exhaustive list of differences, but I hope it helps you tell these two amazing plants apart when you go to buy or admire one!
