Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum is a tropical plant that is usually grown in full sun, but can tolerate and adapt to deep shade.

This plant is greatly known for its ease in covering a land mass, and typically spread out its tree-like trunk from anywhere between eight and ten feet.

Approximately 15–20 years is required for T. bipinnatifidum to grow to an appropriate size and produce flowers in an indoor environment where space is limited.

[3] The sterile male flowers produce and maintain a constant temperature of 34 °C (93 °F), ( temperatures as high as 115 F (46 C) have been recorded)[4] independent of the environment, during the two days the entire flower structure is open by burning stored fatty tissue – comparable to the metabolic output of a small cat.

Additionally, the heat creates a hospitable climate that helps to stimulate beetle activity once it is inside the flower and induce them to mate (this being a favorable temperature for them to do so).

Botanist Simon Mayo documented that these were names of the same plant species that exhibited slight anatomical differences.

T. bipinnatifidum is cultivated as a landscape plant in many tropical, subtropical and warm temperate countries including the Philippines, throughout Australia, the gulf coast and east coast of the United States, including Florida and California, and in South Africa and northern New Zealand.

Under the synonym Philodendron bipinnatifidum it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Chewing and/or ingesting parts of the plant may result in severe swelling and compromised respiratory functions.