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Heartleaf Philodendron Philodendron hederaceum

Other Common Name(s):

Other plants called Heartleaf Philodendron:

Previously known as:

  • Philodendron micans
  • Philodendron oxycardium
  • Philodendron scandens
  • Philodendron scandens f. micans
  • Philodendron scandens subsp. oxycardium
Phonetic Spelling
fil-oh-DEN-dron heh-der-AY-see-um
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Heartleaf Philodendron is a tropical evergreen trailing or climbing member of the Arum family (Araceae). The plant grows up to 13 feet tall and is grown as a houseplant in temperate climates. The species epithet means ivy-like and likens this plant's climbing, leafy habit to that of English ivy, Hedera helix.

This plant is desired for its glossy, green leaves on cascading stems. It can survive for long periods in extremely low light. It is distinguished from Epipremnum aureum by the conspicuous stipules on new growth, the messy, falling stipules on older growth, and by the non-grooved petioles. Climbs or trails if given support.  

It refers medium light but will tolerate low light. It prefers average indoor air temperatures and can tolerate dry air although it prefers medium relative humidity and moist soil, and it appreciates misting.  Keep soil slightly moist, and slow down on watering in the winter.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Petioles are entire, not grooved
  • Indoor vine with glossy, heart-shaped leaves
  • Stipules are free on new growth

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant has no serious pest or disease problems. Monitor for aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. Leaf spots may be seen, and root rot can occur in overly wet soil.

More information on Philodendron.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Brasil'
    variegated center stripe of yellow to light green and dark green borders
  • 'Cream Splash'
    variegated center of the leaves of light green and cream, and dark green borders
  • 'Gabby'
    variegated leaves of light green and cream, may become entirely cream in color
  • 'Lemon Lime'
    bright yellow to chartreuse foliage
  • 'Rio'
    variegated leaves of silver and cream in the center, and dark green edges
  • 'Silver Stripe'
    variegated leaves, cream to light green, and dark green with a silver stripe
'Brasil', 'Cream Splash', 'Gabby', 'Lemon Lime', 'Rio', 'Silver Stripe'
Tags:
#houseplant#white flowers#low light#interiorscape#low maintenance#showy fruits#moist soil#spadix#fantz#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#tropical#contact dermatitis#poisonous if ingested#heart-shaped leaves#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Brasil'
    variegated center stripe of yellow to light green and dark green borders
  • 'Cream Splash'
    variegated center of the leaves of light green and cream, and dark green borders
  • 'Gabby'
    variegated leaves of light green and cream, may become entirely cream in color
  • 'Lemon Lime'
    bright yellow to chartreuse foliage
  • 'Rio'
    variegated leaves of silver and cream in the center, and dark green edges
  • 'Silver Stripe'
    variegated leaves, cream to light green, and dark green with a silver stripe
'Brasil', 'Cream Splash', 'Gabby', 'Lemon Lime', 'Rio', 'Silver Stripe'
Tags:
#houseplant#white flowers#low light#interiorscape#low maintenance#showy fruits#moist soil#spadix#fantz#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#tropical#contact dermatitis#poisonous if ingested#heart-shaped leaves#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Philodendron
    Species:
    hederaceum
    Family:
    Araceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico to Tropical America
    Distribution:
    Native: Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela; Introduced to Bangladesh, Seychelles, and the United States
    Climbing Method:
    Clinging
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Poisonous
    Vine
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Climbing
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are white or orange to red berries.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spadix
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are small and greenish-white. The inflorescence is rarely seen in cultivation, but when it appears, it is a spadix and spathe. The spadix is shorter than or equal to the length of the spathe. The spathe forms a tube around the spadix and expands above the spadix to a greenish-yellow hood.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are alternate, simple, cordate, acuminate, cordate base, entire, coriaceous, glossy green above and green or red-purple below. Petioles are slender and shorter than the leaf blade. Stipules are large, free, and lanceolate. Leaves emerge bronze and quickly turn green and cover stems.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Slender green stems with adventitious roots that can grow to 4 ft or more.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Vertical Spaces
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Heavy Shade
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Calcium oxalate crystals
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Stems