Adam's Adam's Needle Plant Care

Adam's Adam's Needle (Thaumatophyllum adamantinum) belongs to the Araceae family within the Thaumatophyllum genus. Adam's Adam's Needle is native to South America, namely to Southeast Brazil.

Adam's Adam's Needle displays a large, upright foliage plant growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Adam's Adam's Needle produces rarely flowers indoors, produces a spadix surrounded by a spathe.

Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Adam's Adam's Needle every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Adam's Adam's Needle thrives in bright indirect to low light. Avoid placing Adam's Adam's Needle in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Thaumatophyllum adamantinum tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Adam's Adam's Needle prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining peat-based mix with perlite and orchid bark. Good drainage is essential for Adam's Adam's Needle to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Adam's Adam's Needle every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect to low light and well-draining peat-based mix with perlite and orchid bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Adam's Adam's Needle is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Adam's Adam's Needle can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Adam's Adam's Needle while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Adam's Adam's Needle is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Adam's Adam's Needle can be propagated through division, air layering, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hope philodendron plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Adam's Adam's Needle is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Adam's Adam's Needle grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Adam's Adam's Needle is native to South America, namely to Southeast Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Adam's Adam's Needle as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.