The most common varieties of philodendrons are the climbing type. With heart-shaped leaves and a deep green color, these plants are a wonderful accent in any home setting. Climbing varieties can be trained around windows, up poles, or down the sides of containers. The upright types tend to be larger-leaved and have a more compact habit. Upright varieties are also slower growing but can become quite large if you let them. They may look like harmless houseplants, but philodendrons are toxic to humans and animals, so position them out of reach of children, dogs, and cats.
Philodendron Care Tips
Light
Philodendrons are native to tropical rainforests, where they ruggedly climb up trees. When translated into a home setting, these plants prefer dappled light, much like the canopy of a tropical rainforest. Upright varieties are much more accepting of bright sun, but they appreciate some spotted shade. Colored-leaf varieties need a good amount of bright light to show their best colors. When in too much shade, they tend to fade to a dull green.
Soil and Water
Choose a well-drained potting medium that will not stay wet for too long; philodendron prefers even moisture and does not like sitting in wet soil. Upright varieties are much more tolerant of drought but also prefer evenly moist soil.
Fertilizer
Philodendrons benefit from regular doses of fertilizer monthly during the spring and summer months when growth is most active. This can be done with either liquid fertilizer or slow-release pellets. The rest of the year, cut back to once every two months.
Potting and Repotting Philodendron
Repot your houseplant every two years with fresh soil. When plants sit in the same soil for long periods, they can accumulate salt deposits from the water, which leads to leaf burn (browning and yellowing of leaf tips and edges). You can thoroughly flush the soil by running water through it until the water coming out the bottom of the pots runs clear.
Pests and Problems
Although they spend their lives indoors and are typically pest-free, philodendron plants are susceptible to the usual garden suspects—aphids, mealybugs, scales and spider mites. Any time you bring a new plant into your home, you may expose your philodendrons to these. Treat them as you would in the garden with insecticidal soap or neem oil. As vining types of philodendrons continue to grow, they can become long and leggy. These plants don’t mind being cut back, so feel free to cut off gawky growth; it will encourage new shoots to form at the point where they were cut.
How to Propagate Philodendron
Climbing types of philodendrons are exceptionally easy to propagate, and they make a great gift! Because these plants have pre-formed roots, they can start forming new plants quickly. Simply cut a portion of the stem with a leaf attached and stick the stem with the root initial in a glass of water or moist potting soil. Eventually, this root initial will form a new plant.
Types of Philodendron
‘Brasil’ Philodendron
Philodendron ‘Brasil’ is a hybrid that looks like a cross between heart-leaf philodendron and pothos. Its leaves have a variable broad central band of chartreuse.
Elephant Ear Philodendron
Philodendron domesticum has glossy green spade-shaped leaves up to 2 feet long. It is also called spade leaf philodendron (Philodendron hastatum).
Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron
Philodendron bipennifolium has violin-shaped leaves to 10 inches long. It is a vine that will climb a support pole if given the chance. It is also known as panda plant (Philodendron panduriforme).
Heartleaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum oxycardium is a durable vining houseplant with slender stems and heart-shaped leaves. It grows well in hanging baskets, trained to a moss pole, or draping over the edge of a shelf.
Red-Leaf Philodendron
Philodendron erubescens has reddish-purple stems and large coppery red leaves.
Split-Leaf Philodendron
Philodendron bipinnatifidum, also called lacy tree philodendron (Philodendron selloum), has large, deeply lobed leaves that arise from a central stem. It can spread to 6 feet wide and 8 feet tall.
Tree Philodendron
Philodendron bipinnatifidum is also called split-leaf philodendron. This tropical plant has a semi-upright habit and grows 10 feet tall and wide in warm regions. Grow it as a houseplant and enjoy its glossy leaves and vertical habit.
Velvet-Leaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum hederaceum looks like heart-leaf philodendron at first glance, except its leaves are covered with fine, velvety hairs, and the new growth is bronze.
‘Xandu’ Philodendron
Philodendron ‘Xanadu’ is a hybrid that grows 3 feet tall and wide. It prefers bright light and does not form aerial roots like other philodendrons.
