Philodendron

Meet the most popular aroid family around! Philodendron is a huge genus of several hundred tropical plants from Central and South America, from trailing vines to chunky upright plants that grow from a central crown. Favorites include the classic Heartleaf (Philodendron hederaceum), the pinstriped Birkin, the variegated Pink Princess, White Knight and White Wizard, and fiery hybrids like Ring of Fire and Red Sun. They're easygoing, fast-growing and come in just about every leaf shape and color you can imagine!

Browse our Philodendron collection, or dive into our care guides for the Heartleaf Philodendron and the Pink Princess.

  • Toxic to pets and children
  • Repot once every 2 years
  • Fertilize once a month
  • Bright, indirect light
  • Average water

Philodendrons for Everyone!

Philodendron Birkin (S)
Philodendron Birkin (S)

Hermes

1900
22 cm
10 cm
Hoya Carnosa Krimson Queen | Wax Plant (S)
Hoya Carnosa Krimson Queen | Wax Plant (S)

Aria

2400
18 cm
10 cm
Philodendron Hederaceum | Green Heartleaf (S)
Philodendron Hederaceum | Green Heartleaf (S)

Cedric

1900
14 cm
10 cm
Philodendron Micans (S)
Philodendron Micans (S)

Enzo

2400
17 cm
10 cm
Philodendron Brazil (S)
Philodendron Brazil (S)

Cole

2200
13 cm
10 cm
Philodendron Red Sun (S)
Philodendron Red Sun (S)

Sienna

2900
17 cm
10 cm
Polystichum Tsus-Simense | Korean Rock Fern (S)
Polystichum Tsus-Simense | Korean Rock Fern (S)

Finn

1600
17 cm
10 cm
Philodendron White Wizard (S)
Philodendron White Wizard (S)

Merlin

2900
14 cm
10 cm
Philodendron Ring of Fire (S)
Philodendron Ring of Fire (S)

Olivia

3500
23 cm
10 cm
Philodendron Gloriosum (S)
Philodendron Gloriosum (S)

Gideon

3500
15 cm
10 cm
Philodendron Mamei | Silver Cloud (S)
Philodendron Mamei | Silver Cloud (S)

Milo

2400
20 cm
10 cm
Philodendron Hederaceum | Heartleaf Philodendron (M)
Philodendron Hederaceum | Heartleaf Philodendron (M)

Cedric

3400
25 cm
15 cm

About Philodendron

Origin

Philodendrons come from the tropical forests of Central and South America and the Caribbean. The name is Greek for 'tree lover' (philo = love, dendron = tree), a nod to the many species that climb up tree trunks in the wild. Others, like the Birkin, Imperial Green and Rojo Congo, are 'self-heading': they grow upright from a central stem instead of climbing.

Air Purifying

Three philodendrons, including the Heartleaf, were part of NASA's 1989 clean-air study, where they helped remove formaldehyde from small sealed test chambers. In a real home the effect is much smaller than in the lab, so think of these amigos as a lovely bonus rather than an air purifier.

Toxicity

Philodendrons are toxic to cats, dogs and people. The ASPCA lists them as containing insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause mouth pain and swelling, heavy drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing if a leaf gets chewed. Keep them up high or in a pet-free room, and call your vet if your furry friend takes a bite.

Caring for Philodendron

Watering

Water when the top 50% of the soil has dried out, then soak thoroughly and let the excess drain away. In spring and summer that's usually every 1–2 weeks, and less often in fall and winter. Overwatering is the number one Philodendron killer, so when in doubt, wait a few more days!

Light and Placement

Bright, indirect light keeps these amigos growing fast with big, colorful leaves. Green types like the Heartleaf and Brasil also manage in medium light, but variegated and colorful ones like Pink Princess, White Knight, Birkin and Ring of Fire need bright light to keep their patterns. Avoid hot direct afternoon sun, which scorches the leaves, and give the pot a quarter turn every few weeks so the plant grows evenly.

Nutrition

Feed once a month in spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength. Skip the snacks in fall and winter, when growth slows down. Too much fertilizer leads to salt buildup and brown leaf tips, so more isn't better.

Repotting

Repot every 2 years in spring, or sooner if roots are circling the pot or poking out of the bottom. Pick a pot 1–2 inches larger and a chunky, well-draining aroid mix of potting soil, orchid bark and perlite. Climbing types like the Heartleaf, Micans and White Knight also love a moss pole to climb, which rewards you with bigger leaves.

Pruning and Flowering

For trailing and climbing types, snip long vines just above a leaf node to keep them bushy, and pop the cuttings in water to grow new amigos. Self-heading types need very little pruning: just remove old, yellowing lower leaves at the base with clean scissors. Philodendrons rarely flower indoors and pruning won't change that, so enjoy them for their foliage!

Philodendron SOS

Illness

Yellow leaves and soggy soil usually mean too much water, while pale, bleached or crispy patches point to too much direct sun. Long, leggy stems with small leaves are a sign it needs more light. Check under the leaves now and then for mealybugs, spider mites and thrips, and wipe them off with a damp cloth or treat with insecticidal soap.

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