A philodendron is the perfect houseplant for new plant owners .

Philodendrons are possibly the easiest houseplants you could develop . Whether you choose erect or trailing / climbing type , they are perfectly happy in a dwelling house setting . Even founder gardeners are usually successful at grow these plants . Philodendrons are extremely low care and can sit idle for long periods .

The most vulgar varieties of philodendrons are the climb character . Withheart - shaped leavesand a deep green color , these plants are a marvelous accent in any habitation stage setting . Climbing varieties can be trained around window , up magnetic pole , or down the sides of containers . The upright type 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 .

Heartleaf Philodendron on white table in living room

Credit: Dean Schoeppner

Although they may look like harmless houseplants , philodendron are toxic to humansand animal , so pose them out of reaching of nipper , dogs , and cats .

Where to Plant Philodendron

preserve your sunniest windows for other plant . Philodendron plants prefer anindirect lightenvironment — not too difficult to turn up in most habitation . A location near a windowpane but out of any direct sunlight works well . Philodendron with leaves that are n’t all unripe can plow a niggling more collateral light than those with all - dark-green leaves . You ’ll experience the plant convey too much light if itsleaves turn yellow .

Philodendron Care Tips

Because philodendron are such easy - care house plants , you could leave them alone most of the time in a lowlight setting with moderately dry stain . Since they can be toxic , philodendron make good dangling plant or decorative trace for top shelves away from little hands .

Light

philodendron arenative to tropic rainforest , where they ruggedly climb up trees . When read into a abode stage setting , these plant prefer dappled luminousness , much like the canopy of a tropical rain forest . Upright varieties are much more accepting of bright sun , but they appreciate some spotty shade . Colored - leaf form need a good amount of illumination to show their best colour . They be given to wither to a dull green when in too much shadowiness .

Soil and Water

select awell - drained potting mediumthat will not stay wet for too long ; philodendron prefer even moisture and does not care pose in wet soil . good varieties are much more large-minded of drouth but also favor evenly moist soil .

Fertilizer

philodendron profit fromregular doses of fertilizermonthly during the spring and summer when emergence is most active . This can be done with either fluent fertiliser or slow - firing pellets . The residue 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 prospicient periods , they can accumulate saltiness deposits from the water , which leads to leaf burn ( browning and yellow of leaf tipsand edge ) . you may thoroughly flush the territory by running water through it until the H2O coming out the bottom of the commode runs clear .

Pests and Problems

Although they spend their lives indoors and are typically pestilence - free , philodendron plant are susceptible to the usual garden suspect — aphids , mealybugs , scales and spider mites . Any time you fetch a novel plant life into your menage , you may let out your philodendrons to these . Treat them as you would in the garden with insecticidal soap orneem oil .

As vining types of philodendrons continue to rise , they can become foresightful and leggy . These plants do n’t listen being cut back , so feel free to skip off clunky ontogeny ; it will encourage new shoots to form at the point where they were cut .

How to Propagate Philodendron

Climbing type of philodendrons are exceptionally well-off to pass around , and they make gravid gifts ! Because these plant have node containing preformed roots , they can start forming new plants quickly . Cut a 5 - column inch portion of an existing plant life ’s stem turn , ensuring the cutting contains at least one leaf and a node . Stick the stem in a glass of body of water , lay down certain the leaf node is submerged . Eventually , roots forge from the node , and the process is a newfangled plant .

you may also put a press clipping in potting soil . In this case , dip the bottom half of the cutting containing a node inrooting hormonebefore place it in a pot with drainage yap . Keep the filth moist but not wet . The result is fresh tooth root and leaves in only a few weeks .

Types of Philodendron

‘Brasil’ Philodendron

Philodendron’Brasil ' is a hybrid that take care like a crossbreed between heart - leaf philodendronand ivy arum . Its leaf have a variable broad fundamental band of pea green .

Elephant Ear Philodendron

Philodendron domesticumhas glistening fleeceable spade - shaped leaves up to 2 foot long . It is also called spade leaf philodendron ( Philodendron hastatum ) .

Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron

Philodendron bipennifoliumhas fiddle - shaped leaves up to 10 inches long . It is a vine that will climb a keep pole if given the chance . It is also know as panda plant life ( Philodendron panduriforme ) .

Heartleaf Philodendron

Philodendron hederaceum oxycardiumis a lasting vining houseplant with slender stems and middle - determine leaves . Itgrows well in hanging baskets , trail to a moss celestial pole , or draping over the edge of a shelf .

Red-Leaf Philodendron

Philodendron erubescenshas reddish - purple stems and heavy coppery red leaves .

Split-Leaf Philodendron

Philodendron bipinnatifidum , also called lacy tree diagram philodendron ( Philodendron selloum ) , has turgid , deep lobed leaves that arise from a central stem . It can diffuse to 6 feet wide of the mark and 8 feet tall .

Tree Philodendron

Philodendron bipinnatifidumis also called split - leafage philodendron . This tropical planthas a semi - upright habit and grows 10 foundation tall and all-encompassing in fond region . turn it as a houseplant and enjoy its glossy leaves and perpendicular habit .

Velvet-Leaf Philodendron

Philodendron hederaceum hederaceumlooks like heart - foliage philodendron at first glimpse , except its leaf are covered with fine , velvety fuzz , and the new growth is bronze .

‘Xandu’ Philodendron

Philodendron’Xanadu ' is a loan-blend that produce 3 ft tall and wide of the mark . It choose brilliant light and does not form aerial radical like other philodendrons .

Frequently Asked Questions

Although they tolerate being root - bound better than many plants , it is n’t their predilection . Keep your philodendron healthy by repotting it on a regular basis as the flora grows .

They do . Philodendrons filter toxins include formaldehyde , but it is ill-defined how many plants you ’d require in your dwelling to make a literal conflict . It is a good thought to revel these plant for their attractive foliage rather than any nebulus health benefits .

Are philodendron poisonous ? Yard and Garden . March 19 , 2024 . Accessed August 2 , 2024 . https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/are-philodendrons-poisonous .

‘brasil’ philodendron

Credit: Marty Baldwin

Philodendron . Pet Poison Helpline

elephant ear philodendron

Credit: Tria Giovan Photography, Inc.

fiddle-leaf philodendron

Credit: Marty Baldwin

heartleaf philodendron

Credit: Marty Baldwin

red-leaf philodendron

Credit: Dean Schoeppner

splitleaf philodendron

Credit: J WILDE CREATIVE IMAGES

tree philodendron

Credit: Denny Schrock

velvet-leaf philodendron

Credit: Marty Baldwin

‘xandu’ philodendron

Credit: Hetherington & Associates