Quick Verdict
Choose McDowell if you want the broader, more dramatic statement plant. Choose Pastazanum if you specifically want a true species with a more elongated leaf shape and classic collector appeal. Their basic care is similar, so this is primarily a decision about appearance, provenance, and the kind of collection you want to build.
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McDowell vs Pastazanum at a glance
When you want maximum visual impact
Philodendron McDowell is a hybrid known for broad, full foliage and an oversized mature look. It is the stronger pick when the goal is a lush indoor-jungle centerpiece rather than a species-focused collection.
Wider foliage
The leaves tend to read broader and rounder, which makes the plant look especially substantial.
Statement value
McDowell is one of those plants that can visually anchor an entire plant corner.
Hybrid appeal
Choose it because you like the foliage, not because you want a true-species plant.
When species identity matters as much as size
Philodendron Pastazanum is a true species with a more elongated heart-shaped leaf and strong botanical collector appeal. It still becomes a large and impressive crawler, but the overall effect is often more elegant than massive.
True species
Best for collectors who care about natural species rather than hybrids.
More elongated leaf
The proportions help distinguish it from McDowell at maturity.
Classic crawler
Like McDowell, it needs horizontal room for the stem to move across the substrate.
How to tell McDowell and Pastazanum apart
Start with the leaf shape
McDowell usually looks broader and more rounded. Pastazanum tends to look more elongated through the heart shape.
Check the sinus
McDowell often shows a broader, more open sinus, while Pastazanum tends to look narrower and deeper.
Look at the petiole
McDowell generally looks thicker and more robust. Pastazanum petioles can appear flatter with more defined edges.
Use mature growth when possible
Juvenile leaves are easier to confuse. Mature foliage gives you stronger identification clues.
Their care is more similar than different
Light
Give both bright indirect light. Strong usable light supports larger foliage and denser growth.
Watering
Let the upper substrate begin to dry before watering again. Avoid keeping the root zone saturated.
Soil
Use an airy, well-draining aroid-style mix that still retains some moisture.
Humidity
Both appreciate stable humidity, but measure the room before adding equipment.
Both are crawlers, so pot shape matters
Do not treat either plant like a vertical climber
McDowell and Pastazanum move horizontally as the stem advances. A longer rectangular or oval planter can make more sense than a narrow deep pot because it gives the crawler somewhere to go.
This is a more important ownership detail than adding a moss pole.
Buy only what solves the actual growing problem
Neither plant needs a generic collector accessory kit. The highest-value purchases usually solve light, room conditions, or root-zone problems.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Inplanty may earn from qualifying purchases.
SANSI Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, Pot Clip-On Plant Light, 1-Pack
Problem it solves: Your Philodendron is placed where natural light is too weak for balanced crawling growth and strong leaf development.
Best for: Small to medium McDowell or Pastazanum setups that need supplemental light.
Why it works: Better usable light supports denser growth and helps the plant maintain larger foliage.
What to check before buying: Large mature plants may need broader light coverage than a small clip-on lamp can provide.
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Govee Indoor Hygrometer Thermometer H5075 with Bluetooth App Control
Problem it solves: You are trying to improve humidity without knowing whether the room is actually dry.
Best for: Collectors growing large crawling Philodendrons in apartments or heated rooms.
Why it works: It gives you a real temperature and humidity baseline for the exact plant zone.
What to check before buying: Measure near the plant rather than relying on a reading from another room.
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Molly's Aroid Potting Mix, Chunky Soil-Free for Indoor Plants, 3 Dry Quarts
Problem it solves: A crawling Philodendron actually needs a more open root-zone mix when repotting is justified.
Best for: McDowell and Pastazanum after acclimation, especially if the current substrate stays wet too long.
Why it works: A chunky aroid mix is designed around drainage and root-zone air space.
What to check before buying: Do not repot a healthy new arrival simply because you already bought new substrate.
Check on AmazonThree practical setups
Large McDowell Display
Use: broad crawling planter + bright indirect light + room for wide leaves.
Why it works: gives the hybrid enough horizontal and visual space to become the focal point.
Species Collector Setup
Use: Pastazanum + stable light + measured humidity + room for crawling growth.
Why it works: keeps the emphasis on species form rather than accessories.
Dim-Room Setup
Use: either plant + supplemental light when natural light is clearly insufficient.
Why it works: fixes the environmental bottleneck instead of trying to compensate with fertilizer.
What makes this comparison confusing
Calling them climbers
Both are crawling Philodendrons. Vertical support is not the core setup requirement.
Identifying from one juvenile leaf
Mature leaves and petioles give stronger clues than young foliage.
Choosing by rarity only
Pastazanum being a true species does not automatically make it the better plant for your room.
Ignoring mature width
McDowell especially needs room to show off its broad foliage.
Using a narrow pot
A crawler needs horizontal space for the stem to advance.
Over-shopping the setup
Light, drainage, and the right pot shape matter more than a long accessory list.
Which should you buy?
- Choose McDowell for broader leaves and stronger statement-plant impact.
- Choose Pastazanum if true-species status matters to your collection.
- Expect crawling growth from both.
- Plan horizontal pot space before the plant becomes large.
- Use mature leaf shape, sinus, and petioles as identification clues.
- Do not expect major care differences between them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Philodendron McDowell and Pastazanum?
McDowell is a hybrid with broader, fuller foliage and very strong visual impact. Pastazanum is a true species with a more elongated heart-shaped leaf and stronger botanical collector appeal.
Is Philodendron McDowell a climbing plant?
No. McDowell is a crawling Philodendron. Its stem travels horizontally across the surface of the substrate rather than climbing vertically.
Is Philodendron Pastazanum a crawler too?
Yes. Pastazanum is also a crawling Philodendron, so both plants need horizontal room rather than a narrow vertical pot.
Which one gets bigger leaves?
McDowell is generally chosen for broader, more dramatic mature foliage. Pastazanum can still develop large leaves, but its proportions are typically more elongated.
Which one is better for collectors?
Pastazanum has strong appeal for species collectors because it is a true species. McDowell is often preferred by growers who want maximum visual impact from a hybrid.
Do McDowell and Pastazanum need different care?
Their core care is very similar: bright indirect light, an airy root zone, steady warmth, careful watering, and enough horizontal pot space for the crawling stem.
Move from choosing to long-term ownership
Once you know which plant you prefer, focus on the crawling growth habit, light, root-zone health, and space needed for mature foliage rather than treating it like a generic climbing Philodendron.
