Philodendron care guide
Philodendron hederaceum and relatives
Philodendrons are one of the largest and most rewarding groups of houseplants, from trailing heartleafs that thrive in dim offices to big, split-leaf selloums and collector plants like Pink Princess and gloriosum.
Almost all of them share the same basic care. This guide covers light, watering, soil, humidity and common problems, then how each popular variety differs.
Low light · Medium light · Bright, indirect light
About once a week
Easy
Not pet-safe
Where to water it
Pour water slowly onto the soil around the base, not over the leaves, until it runs out of the drainage holes. Empty the saucer after 15 minutes.
When: When the top inch of soil is dry.
Where to put it
Shelves, desks and hanging planters, out of direct sun.
Common mistakes
- Soggy soil
- Never trimming
- Hot direct sun
Philodendron care at a glance
Care instructions that work for most indoor philodendrons.
| Need | What to do |
|---|---|
| Light | Medium to bright, indirect light. Heartleaf tolerates low light. |
| Water | When the top 1 to 2 inches are dry, about every 7 to 10 days. |
| Temperature | 65°F to 85°F. Keep above 55°F. |
| Humidity | 40% or higher. Velvety types want 60% or more. |
| Soil | Chunky aroid mix: potting mix, bark and perlite. |
| Fertilizer | Monthly in spring and summer. |
| Support | A moss pole for climbing types. |
| Pets | Toxic to cats and dogs. |
How much light does a philodendron need?
Most philodendrons grow best in medium to bright, indirect light, like a few feet from an east or west window. Heartleaf and Brasil philodendrons tolerate low light and fluorescent office lighting, though they grow slower and leggier there.
Variegated types like Birkin, Pink Princess and Brasil need brighter light to keep their stripes and color. Direct afternoon sun scorches the leaves of all philodendrons.
How to water a philodendron
Water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry, about every 7 to 10 days in spring and summer and every 2 weeks in winter. Water thoroughly until it drains, and empty the saucer.
Drooping leaves usually mean the plant is thirsty and perk up within hours of watering. Yellow leaves with damp soil mean overwatering.
Soil, humidity, feeding and repotting
Philodendrons like a chunky, airy mix: about equal parts potting mix, orchid bark and perlite. Use a pot with drainage holes, and repot every 1 to 2 years in spring when roots fill the pot.
Most do fine in average indoor humidity of 40% or more. Velvety-leaf types like micans, gloriosum and melanochrysum want 60% or more and a humidifier.
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly in spring and summer. Pale new leaves can mean the plant is hungry.
Climbing, pruning and propagation
Climbing philodendrons (heartleaf, Brasil, micans, Pink Princess, melanochrysum) grow bigger leaves when they can climb a moss pole. Crawling types like gloriosum need a long, wide pot so their stem can creep along the soil. Self-heading types like Birkin, Prince of Orange, Rojo Congo, Xanadu and Hope selloum grow upright from the center and need no support.
Trim leggy vines just above a node to make the plant bushier. To propagate, cut a stem with at least one node and root it in water or moist sphagnum moss. Roots appear in 2 to 4 weeks.
Common philodendron problems
How to read an unhappy philodendron.
- Yellow leaves: usually overwatering. One older leaf yellowing now and then is normal.
- Brown, crispy edges: dry air or underwatering.
- Long, bare vines with small leaves: too little light.
- Variegation fading: too little light. Pink Princess and Birkin may also revert to all green; cut back to a variegated leaf.
- Brown spots with yellow halos: bacterial leaf spot from water sitting on leaves.
- Pests: mealybugs, thrips and spider mites. Wipe leaves and treat with insecticidal soap.
Heartleaf and Brasil philodendrons are some of the most reliable plants we install on office shelves and in planter boxes. Leafstruck technicians water, trim and replace as needed.
Plant maintenance serviceOutdoor philodendron care
In USDA zones 9 to 11, Hope selloum, Xanadu and Rojo Congo make bold landscape plants in part shade with regular water. Elsewhere, philodendrons can summer outside in shade and come in before nights drop below 55°F.
Popular philodendron varieties and how their care differs
Note: "split leaf philodendron" is often a nickname for Monstera deliciosa. See our monstera guide for that plant.
Heartleaf philodendron
Also sold as Philodendron hederaceum, sweetheart plant
Trailing vines of glossy heart-shaped leaves.
Care: The easiest. Tolerates low light. Trim to keep it full.
Philodendron Brasil
Also sold as Brazil philodendron
Heartleaf with lime and yellow stripes.
Care: Medium to bright, indirect light keeps the stripes.
Philodendron Birkin
Dark green leaves with fine white pinstripes.
Care: Bright, indirect light and even moisture. Upright, compact growth.
Pink Princess
Dark leaves splashed with bubblegum pink.
Care: Bright, indirect light. Prune off all-green growth so it doesn't revert.
Prince of Orange
New leaves open bright orange and mature to green.
Care: Bright, indirect light. Upright and self-heading.
Rojo Congo and Imperial Red
Large burgundy-red new leaves on an upright plant.
Care: Medium to bright light. Very tough, good for offices and outdoors in warm climates.
Moonlight and Green Emerald
Bright chartreuse or emerald leaves on an upright plant.
Care: Medium to bright, indirect light.
Philodendron Xanadu
A compact mound of deeply lobed leaves.
Care: Medium to bright light. Great in planters and shaded landscapes.
Hope selloum
Also sold as Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum, tree philodendron, split leaf philodendron
Huge, deeply cut leaves on a plant up to 6 feet wide.
Care: Bright, indirect light and lots of room. Water when the top 2 inches dry.
Philodendron micans
Small velvety bronze-green heart leaves.
Care: Higher humidity and medium light. Don't let it dry out.
Gloriosum and melanochrysum
Large velvety leaves with pale veins.
Care: Collector plants: 60%+ humidity, bright indirect light. Gloriosum crawls; melanochrysum climbs.
Silver Sword, Burle Marx and Shangri-La
Silver-blue blades, wavy climbing leaves and a compact ruffled mound.
Care: Standard philodendron care.
Your Philodendron watering schedule
Every 8 days · about once a week
Water the soil
Pour water slowly onto the soil around the base, not over the leaves, until it runs out of the drainage holes. Empty the saucer after 15 minutes.
Check first: When the top inch of soil is dry.
Schedules are a starting point. Always check the soil before you water. Full Philodendron care guide
Too many plants to keep track of? We water them for you.
Philodendron questions
How do you care for a philodendron?
Medium to bright, indirect light, water when the top 1 to 2 inches are dry, a chunky well-draining mix and monthly feeding in spring and summer.
How often should I water a philodendron?
About every 7 to 10 days in spring and summer and every 2 weeks in winter, when the top 1 to 2 inches are dry.
Can philodendrons grow in low light?
Heartleaf and Brasil philodendrons tolerate low light. Variegated and velvety types need medium to bright, indirect light.
Is a split leaf philodendron the same as a monstera?
Often, yes. "Split leaf philodendron" is a common nickname for Monstera deliciosa, but it's also used for Hope selloum. Both have similar care.
Why is my philodendron getting yellow leaves?
Usually overwatering. Let the top of the soil dry before watering again.
How do I propagate a philodendron?
Cut a stem below a node and root it in water or moist sphagnum moss. Plant it once roots are a couple of inches long.
Are philodendrons toxic to pets?
Yes. They can cause mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting in cats and dogs.
Philodendrons, professionally maintained
Leafstruck designs with philodendrons for offices, lobbies and homes, then keeps them full and healthy with scheduled care and free replacements.
Plants that like the same light
Test what you know
Water It Right game
Ten plants, two questions each: how often, and where does the water go?
GameFind the Right Spot game
Place each plant in the room where it will thrive, from sunny windows to windowless hallways.
QuizPlant matcher quiz
Answer five questions about your light, space and style to get three plants that will thrive.