Gardening Houseplants How to Plant and Grow Philodendron A philodendron is the perfect houseplant for new plant owners. By Lynn McAlpine Lynn McAlpine Lynn McAlpine is a lifelong gardener and long-time editor of gardening and home articles. Her work encompasses both print publications and online sites. She has hands-on experience with annuals and perennial beds, vegetable gardens, herbs, houseplants, and woodland management. Lynn has a B.A. in Journalism, Magazine Production from the University of Memphis and is a member of ACES, the American Copy Editors Society. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on May 2, 2024 Reviewed by David McKinney Reviewed by David McKinney David McKinney is an experienced plantsman sharing his expertise in horticulture. His knowledge spans landscape management, growing plants indoors and in the greenhouse, ecological plant selection, and much more. With nearly 15 years in the industry, he is well versed in both herbaceous and woody plants with additional interest in entomology. Learn about BHG's Gardening Review Board In This Article View All In This Article Where to Plant Care Pests and Problems Propagation Types FAQ Dean Schoeppner Philodendrons are possibly the easiest houseplants you can grow. Whether you choose upright or trailing/climbing types, they are perfectly happy in a home setting. Even beginner gardeners are usually successful at growing these plants. Philodendrons are extremely low maintenance and can sit idle for long periods. 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. Although they may look like harmless houseplants, philodendrons are toxic to humans and animals, so position them out of reach of children, dogs, and cats. Philodendron Overview Genus Name Philodendron Common Name Philodendron Plant Type Houseplant Light Part Sun, Shade, Sun Height 1 to 3 feet Width 1 to 6 feet Foliage Color Blue/Green, Chartreuse/Gold, Gray/Silver, Purple/Burgundy Special Features Good for Containers, Low Maintenance Propagation Stem Cuttings Where to Plant Philodendron Save your sunniest windows for other plants. Philodendron plants prefer an indirect light environment—not too difficult to locate in most homes. A location near a window but out of any direct sunlight works well. Philodendron with leaves that aren't all green can handle a little more indirect light than those with all-green leaves. You'll know the plant gets too much light if its leaves turn yellow. 7 Low-Maintenance Indoor Plants that Almost Thrive on Neglect Philodendron Care Tips Because philodendron are such easy-care house plants, you can leave them alone most of the time in a lowlight setting with moderately dry soil. Since they can be toxic, philodendron make good hanging plants or decorative touches for top shelves away from little hands. 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 light to show their best colors. They tend to fade to a dull green when in too much shade. 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 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. Does Fertilizer Go Bad? 10 Tips to Boost Its Shelf Life 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 great gifts! Because these plants have nodes containing preformed roots, they can start forming new plants quickly. Cut a 5-inch portion of an existing plant's stem, ensuring the cutting contains at least one leaf and a node. Stick the stem in a glass of water, making sure the node is submerged. Eventually, roots form from the node, and the process is a new plant. You can also put a cutting in potting soil. In this case, dip the bottom half of the cutting containing a node in rooting hormone before putting it in a pot with drainage holes. Keep the soil moist but not wet. The result is new roots and leaves in only a few weeks. Types of Philodendron 'Brasil' Philodendron Marty Baldwin 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 Tria Giovan Photography, Inc. 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 Marty Baldwin Philodendron bipennifolium has violin-shaped leaves up 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 Marty Baldwin 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 Dean Schoeppner Philodendron erubescens has reddish-purple stems and large coppery red leaves. Split-Leaf Philodendron J WILDE CREATIVE IMAGES 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 Denny Schrock 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 Marty Baldwin 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 Hetherington & Associates 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. Frequently Asked Questions Do philodendrons like to be root-bound? Although they tolerate being root-bound better than many plants, it isn't their preference. Keep your philodendron healthy by repotting it regularly as the plant grows. Do philodendrons clean the air? They do. Philodendrons filter toxins including formaldehyde, but it is unclear how many plants you'd need in your home to make a real difference. It is a good idea to enjoy these plants for their attractive foliage rather than any nebulus health benefits. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Are Philodendrons Poisonous? Iowa State University Philodendron. Pet Poison Helpline