Philodendron
Philodendron
Philodendrons are a large group of aroids grown for lush foliage and reliable indoor habits. Forms range from heart-leaf vines to upright self-heading plants, so you can trail, climb, or fill a floor corner with the same genus.
Light
Bright Indirect
Water
Moderate
Difficulty
Easy
Humidity
Moderate
Pet Warning
All parts of the Philodendron contain calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. Ingestion can cause oral irritation, swelling, and vomiting.
Care Notes
Light
Give bright, indirect light. Long stretches of direct sun scorch leaves. Low light leads to leggy stems and smaller foliage.
Water
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Keep moisture steady, but do not leave the plant in standing water. Water less in winter. Use a pot with drainage holes.
Soil
Plant in a well-draining peat-based mix with perlite. Climbing types do best with a moss pole or trellis. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust.
Humidity and Temperature
Prefer 65°F to 80°F. Moderate to high humidity helps; use a humidifier or mist if the air is dry.
Common Issues
Yellow leaves often mean overwatering. Brown crispy edges usually mean low humidity or underwatering. Sparse vines improve with more light and occasional pruning.
In-Depth Care & Growth
Feeding & Soil
Fertilizer
Balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer
Soil
Well-draining, peat-based potting mix with perlite.
Physical Attributes
Mature Size
Vining types can reach 10-20 feet indoors; upright types reach 3-6 feet.
Growth Rate
Moderate
Propagation
Stem cuttings in water or soil, division, or air layering.
Common Varieties
Heartleaf (P. hederaceum)
Glossy deep-green heart-shaped leaves on trailing or climbing vines.
Brasil
Glossy heart-shaped leaves with a lime-green to yellow central stripe on a dark green background.
Pink Princess
Glossy heart-shaped leaves from deep burgundy to near-black with irregular bubblegum-pink variegation.
Birkin
Glossy dark green heart-shaped leaves marked with thin creamy-white pinstripes.
Micans
Velvety heart-shaped leaves with an iridescent finish that shifts between forest green, bronze, and burgundy.
Xanadu
Glossy leathery dark green leaves with deeply lobed, finger-like margins.
Moonlight
A compact self-heading plant with lance-shaped leaves that emerge neon chartreuse and mature to soft emerald.
Philodendron 'Burle Marx'
A fast, low-maintenance plant with glossy heart-shaped leaves and a dense clumping habit. It can mound as groundcover or climb with support.
Philodendron 'Florida Beauty' x tortum
A hybrid with multi-lobed, deeply pinnate leaves that unfurl light green and mature to glossy emerald. It climbs and has a strong architectural look.
Philodendron 'Florida Ghost'
Deeply lobed oak-like leaves that emerge ghostly white, then shift through mint green to deep forest green as they mature.
Philodendron gloriosum
A crawling terrestrial aroid with large velvety heart-shaped leaves in deep green with contrasting white veins.
Philodendron 'Lemon Lime'
A heartleaf cultivar with neon-yellow to lime-green foliage that keeps its color as it trails or climbs.
Philodendron mayoi
A Brazilian climber with deeply lobed, palm-like leaves that become more dramatic as the plant gains height on a support.
Philodendron Polypodioides
A hemiepiphytic climber with deeply pinnatifid leaves that look fern-like. Foliage becomes more elongated and complex with height.
Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'
A self-heading hybrid whose new leaves emerge fiery orange, then fade through apricot to deep glossy green in an upright rosette.
White Princess Philodendron
Lance-shaped leaves with white variegation on deep emerald green. Green stems often show thin pink or white edges. It grows upright as a self-heading plant.