A philodendron is the perfect houseplant for new plant owners.
Philodendrons are possibly the easiest houseplants it’s possible for you to grow.
Whether you choose upright or trailing/climbing types, they are perfectly happy in a home setting.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
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 punch in.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Withheart-shaped leavesand 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.
Credit: Tria Giovan Photography, Inc.
Upright varieties are also slower growing but can become quite large if you let them.
Where to Plant Philodendron
back up your sunniest windows for other plants.
Philodendron plants prefer anindirect lightenvironmentnot too difficult to locate in most homes.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
A location near a window but out of any direct sunlight works well.
You’ll know the plant gets too much light if itsleaves turn yellow.
Light
Philodendrons arenative to tropical rainforests, where they ruggedly climb up trees.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
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.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
Upright varieties are much more tolerant of drought but also prefer evenly moist soil.
Fertilizer
Philodendrons benefit fromregular doses of fertilizermonthly during the spring and summer when growth is most active.
This can be done with either liquid fertilizer or slow-release pellets.
Credit: J WILDE CREATIVE IMAGES
The rest of the year cut back to once every two months.
Potting and Repotting Philodendron
Repot your houseplant every two years with fresh soil.
Any time you bring a new plant into your home, you may expose your philodendrons to these.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Treat them as you would in the garden with insecticidal soap orneem oil.
As vining types of philodendrons continue to grow, they can become long and leggy.
Because these plants have nodes containing preformed roots, they can start forming new plants quickly.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
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 could also put a cutting in potting soil.
Credit: Hetherington & Associates
Keep the soil moist but not wet.
The result is new roots and leaves in only a few weeks.
Its leaves have a variable broad central band of chartreuse.
Elephant Ear Philodendron
Philodendron domesticumhas glossy green spade-shaped leaves up to 2 feet long.
It is also called spade leaf philodendron (Philodendron hastatum).
Fiddle-Leaf Philodendron
Philodendron bipennifoliumhas 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
Philodendron hederaceum oxycardiumis a durable vining houseplant with slender stems and heart-shaped leaves.
Red-Leaf Philodendron
Philodendron erubescenshas reddish-purple stems and large coppery red leaves.
It can spread to 6 feet wide and 8 feet tall.
Grow it as a houseplant and enjoy its glossy leaves and vertical habit.
‘Xandu’ Philodendron
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.
Keep your philodendron healthy by repotting it regularly as the plant grows.
It is a good idea to enjoy these plants for their attractive foliage rather than any nebulus health benefits.
March 19, 2024.
Accessed August 2, 2024. https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/faq/are-philodendrons-poisonous.
