Sweetheart Plant Philodendron hederaceum
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Sweetheart Plant:
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.
- 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'
- 'Brasil', 'Cream Splash', 'Gabby', 'Lemon Lime', 'Rio', 'Silver Stripe'
- Tags:
- 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'
- 'Brasil', 'Cream Splash', 'Gabby', 'Lemon Lime', 'Rio', 'Silver Stripe'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Poisonous
- Vine
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Climbing
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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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.
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-
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.
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-
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.
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-
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
