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Philodendron, the genus of “tree loving” plants, consists of more than 700 species that have climbing or vining habit from tropical America and the West Indies.
Many of them are grown as foliage plants both indoors and outdoors. Juvenile leaves are usually heart-shaped, while mature leaves have deep lobes. There are many hybrid forms as well. They are suitable for containers with a post for climbing.
Taking care of philodendrons is fun and easy. They are robust and stoic in nature. Once you learn how to take proper care of them, you’ll fall in love with these intriguing plants.
Philodendron Types
Let’s see some common types of Philodendron you can successfully grow as houseplants.
Philodendron “Autumn”
This philodendron is a popular philodendron cultivar of “Moonlight” and it is an evergreen climbing hybrid plant that thrives in zones 10-11.
Its leaves are elliptic, young ones can be copper, while petioles are reddish. The new growth on this plant is dark russet, gradually fading to green.
This philodendron requires regular moisture and humidity and fertile, well-draining soil. It combines well with heartleaf philodendron, window leaf philodendron and other philodendron types with dark green leaves.
Philodendron bipinnatifidum
Otherwise known as Lacy Tree Philodendron, Anchor Philodendron or Philodendron selloum, this architectural plant originates from Southeastern Brazil. It is a robust, upright evergreen plant that thrives in zones 10-12 and blooms often. The spathe is white, while the leaves are ovate, long and dark green with margins deeply ruffled. The flowers are white or greenish. It is a slow-growing plant with mounding habit.
As such, it is especially attractive for a large room setting. It is an easy plant to grow as long as it isn’t overwatered. Provide full sun to bright filtered light, regular moisture and sandy, humus-rich, well-drained soil.
Since it is tolerant of the strong sun, it is conducive to being grown like a shrub. However, chills or dry winds may cause leaf browning.
Philodendron speciosum
Philodendron speciosum or Arrow-head Philodendron originates from Brazil and thrives in zones 10-11. The leaves are long and wavy with toothed margins, while the stems are upright or trailing in older plants. It is a compact plant used like a rounded shrub.
Protect from winds or chills and provide regular moisture and sandy soil. Other philodendron types should also be protected from winds, especially green heartleaf philodendron.
Philodendron hybrids
This is an evergreen climbing species that can grow up to 8 feet tall. However, it isn’t likely to bloom or it does so rarely. The leaves are dark green with wavy margins. It is more commonly known as Bird’s Nest Philodendron or Mounding Philodendron.
Provide regular moisture and fertile, sandy soil. Part sun to part shade. Display it along with other philodendron types or plants whose colors with contrast with the dark green leaves of Philodendron hybrids.
Philodendron hastatum
Another evergreen climbing type, this one blooms intermittently. Its leaves are glossy gray-green with round tips and basal lobes. This one is also called Silver Sword Philodendron. It is getting immensely popular thanks to its fast-growing habit, unique blue-tinged sword-like leaves, so unlike other philodendrons that usually have heart-shaped leaves.
This type appreciates regular moisture, part sun to bright filtered light and humus-rich soil that drains well. Display it next to green heartleaf philodendron or another philodendron cultivar.
Philodendron x evansii
Imperial Philodendron is an evergreen garden hybrid that thrives in zones 10-11. It blooms often during warm months. The spathe is hoodlike, white with purple-pink margins, while the leaf blades are deeply lobed and stems are short and upright. It has a rounded habit and lower leaves can be removed to expose the charming inflorescence.
Protect from winds. Provide regular moisture, fertile, sandy, humus-rich and well-drained soil. Keep in full sun to partial shade.
Philodendron goeldii
Native to Brazil, Peru, Venezuela and Colombia, this is an evergreen climbing or semiepiphytic plant that grows beautifully in zones 10-11. The shiny green leaves are curved and attached to the petiole along with radiating leaflets.
It blooms often but it requires regular moisture, fertile soil and part sun to bright filtered light. That’s what makes the plant perfect for your indoor garden.
Philodendron Birkin
Philodendron Birkin came to exist thanks to the mutation in Philodendron “Congo Rojo” and exhibited leaf variegation because of the cell mutation.
The leaves of this type of philodendron are dark green often adorned with cream stripes, but red or entirely cream leaves are not a strange occurrence, too. As such, Philodendron Birkin has found its place in many indoor gardens.
Philodendron Birkin is a slow yet vigorous grower and you will keep it happy as long as you provide bright indirect sunlight, increased humidity, evenly moist soil and quality potting mix.
Philodendron brandtianum
Philodendron brandtianum is a very rare yet extremely coveted houseplant. It is also known as a Broad-leaf Philodendron with its heart-shaped leaves that initially have bright orange tones but grow to be emerald green to olive green, occasionally with silver or white mottling.
What makes this vining plant popular is its adaptability to household conditions and easy care. Knowing how to take proper care of Philodendron brandtianum will increase your chances of success. In a nutshell, this type of philodendron prefers humidity that’s above average, filtered light, and watering once the soil has dried out.
Philodendron gloriosum
This plant features very large heart-shaped dark green foliage with very prominent leaf venation and velvety texture. It is a slow-growing creeping plant originally from Colombia. The stems are thin and bare, holding a heart at the top. It is ideal for a medium white ceramic pot in the living room or bedroom.
These tips on caring for Philodendron gloriosum will come in handy if you are growing it. To grow it successfully in the home, provide bright indirect or filtered light, well-drained soil and make sure not to overwater.
Philodendron micans
Philodendron micans is another trailing plant destined for a hanging basket. It is also known as Velvet Leaf Philodendron due to its dark to light glossy green leaves that boast velvety texture. The dark green leaves have delicate pale veining and the foliage reflects light beautifully.
Knowing how to take care of this vining philodendron will do you a world of good. Here are some tips on how to care for Philodendron micans to help you out. Although it grows in warm climates, avoid direct sunlight.
Display your Philodendron micans plants in hanging baskets and they will make dazzling pieces with sometimes bushy appearance.
Philodendron xanadu
Philodendron “Winterbourn” or xanadu philodendron can soften corners of your house with the splaying stems and undulating leaves. It can reach 18 inches (45 cm) in length and a mature plant is usually a height of 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm). This plant grows into its tropical flair and looks better with age.
Philodendron xanadu makes an ideal tabletop or floor display. Provide moderate to bright light, keep slightly moist and let it dry slightly between waterings.
Philodendron hederaceum
Popularly called Heartleaf Philodendron, this is indubitably one of the most loved houseplant ever. Its heart-shaped leaves and easy care have earned the plant its immense popularity. This type of philodendron is a trailing plant from Brazil. It features lime green leaves that make other indoor plants envy its liveliness.
Learn how to take care of Philodendron cordatum and enjoy its many benefits. Water weekly, let it bathe in filtered, indirect light and plant it in a light, fertile, humus-rich potting mix. Keep it evenly moist. Always try to mimic the conditions found in the natural habitat of philodendrons.
Some popular philodendron cultivars of Philodendron hederaceum are “Lemon Lime Philodendron” and “Brasil”, a snappy trailing philodendron that likes to hang down the shelves. All of them make great candidates for a hanging basket.
DID YOU KNOW: People often think that Philodendron hederaceum and Philodendron cordatum are two different plants, but in fact they are not. Philodendron hederaceum is the correct and accepted scientific name, while the latter name denotes the shape of the leaves.
Philodendron erubescens
Philodendron erubescens is a climbing species otherwise known as Red-Leaf Philodendron or Blushing Philodendron from Colombia. It features purple-red stems bearing long, elongated, heart-shaped, glossy deep green leaves that often have purple undersides.
Philodendron erubescens is usually grown in a pot or trained up a frame. It thrives in zones 11-12 and makes an excellent, easy-care indoor plant. This particular type is a hardy plant and will thrive even with certain neglect.
Heartleaf Philodendron
This green heartleaf philodendron is a vining plant scientifically known as Philodendron scandens or Sweetheart Plant.
It has small heart-shaped green or variegated shiny leaves on vining stems. The glossy foliage that’s olive green in color has earned this tropical plant its reputation.
This variegated philodendron requires moderate light, average temperature and any peaty potting soil that drains well. Hanging baskets are ideal homes for it and similar philodendron varieties.
Philodendron “Prince of Orange”
“Prince of Orange” Philodendron is among my current favorites because of its thick, glossy leaves in rust, burgundy, orange and yellow.
It sends off immense leaves from a central base and yet it manages to look very neat. Philodendron Prince is a great decorating secret for bringing autumn into a room.
Philodendron “Prince of Orange” requires east or west exposure and rich, humusy potting soil with compost. There are no known philodendron cultivar plants of this type.
Philodendron “Painted Lady”
If you are looking for a playful piece with a similar leaf shape like P. “Congo”, hunt down a “Painted Lady”. It is a perfect companion for the Prince of Orange, right?
This authentic Philodendron has long, mottled, neon yellow leaves and bright pink stems, so it knows how to gather a crowd. While it can tolerate lower light levels, the best is to provide moderate light. Keep evenly moist.
Philodendron White Knight
Philodendron White Knight is a very neat and elegant philodendron plant. It is native to South America and has emerald green pointed leaves often adorned with white blotches. Due to its demand, location and scarcity, this variegated philodendron is known to be quite expensive.
However, the plant can revert back to being an all green variety, so never put it in a completely shady area.
Philodendron grazielae
This is another type of philodendron that has climbing habit. Philodendron grazielae bears light green, glossy, somewhat thick heart-shaped leaves that you feel the urge to touch them. They’re up to 11 cm wide and the stems are thick.
Philodendron grazielae indoor plants do well in hanging baskets too with a preference for a bright, warm position and evenly moist soil. Propagate it by taking stem cuttings, letting them dry and placing them in sphagnum moss.
Philodendron Spiritus Sancti
This type of philodendron doesn’t look like a philodendron at all. It is an endangered plant that runs a risk of extinction. That’s one of the reasons that makes the plant so expensive and rare. It is a long-leaved plant from Brazil that costs around $9,500 on eBay. It is also named Holy Ghost.
If you happen to come across this type of philodendron plant, do it justice by taking meticulous care of it. Provide indirect light and fertile, humusy potting mix.
Philodendron “Pink Princess”
This is one popular cultivar of Philodendron “Moonlight”. It is a newer variety that makes an amazing decorative piece in a room. What’s more, it is becoming a favorite in the philodendron family.
It has dark burgundy leaves splashed with bright pink splotches. It will vine and can be grown on a pole. It is ideal for tropical garden beds or individual pots. As an indoor plant, Philodendron Pink Princess prefers bright light and a good quality potting mix.
Philodendron “Congo Rojo”
For a classical elongated shaped philodendron, pick up the green “Congo” variety. The stems are bright red and the leaves are emerald green, often with tints of black. It coexists happily alongside humans, but like other philodendrons, it is toxic.
Provide moderate light beside an east window, fertilize monthly and ensure average temperature. Display it in a medium pot and position it next to an east or west window for best results.
Florida Ghost Philodendron
The name of this climbing plant speaks for itself. It is one more of the rare philodendron varieties with its multi-lobed foliage glossy white in color that makes the plant look like a ghost in a pot. As such an unusual sight, it is no wonder why it makes a very coveted plant.
The white flowers, however, change to green overtime. If the plant receives less light, it will develop bright green leaves.
Philodendron subhastatum
This philodendron plant has bright green foliage in the shape of an elongated heart. It can exhibit tones or light or dark purple, as well as red on the undersides, which makes a perfect contrast to the light green leaves. The stems are robust and thick, unlike other philodendrons.
It is another very rare climbing plant famed for its bi-colored foliage, yet very expensive. The chances are that you won’t come across it in your local stores, only online and in specialized ones. Good luck!
Philodendron “Moonlight”
This is a self-heading philodendron with large, initially yellow to fluorescent green foliage that fades to a darker green at the bottom of the plant. The leaves grow in a medium-light spot in the home. It produces a finger-like spadix like other philodendrons and reaches the size of 2 feet.
This philodendron species prefers bright indirect light which is necessary for the plant to develop beautiful bright green leaves. One popular philodendron cultivar of this plant is Philodendron “Pink Princess”.
Conclusion
Philodendrons are tropical plants prized for their lush foliage that steal everyone’s heart, usually with a dramatic outline or deep lobes, markings in green, white, pink or red. The flowers are usually inconspicuous, allowing the leaves to be the stars of the show.
Philodendron plants have amicable personalities and natural ability to grow in the same environment as humans. However, all parts of the plants are poisonous, so take preventive measures so that your pets and children don’t experience undesirable reactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Identify My Philodendron?
You can easily identify your philodendron varieties by closely examining the leaves. Look at the shape, color, texture and look up philodendrons online or in botanical books. Make sure you know the scientific name for it so you can research the care requirements for that specific plant. Don’t mistake a philodendron for a monstera. Here are 10 monstera varieties to show you the difference. The leaves are a lot larger, shaped differently, like a fan.
How Many Types of Philodendron Are There?
There are currently over 700 species of philodendron types, including Philodendron xanadu, Philodendron hederaceum, Philodendron erubescens, Heartleaf Philodendron, Philodendron micans, Prince of Orange Philodendron, Blushing Philodendron, Philodendron brandtianum, Sweetheart Plant and Lacy Tree Philodendron, to name just a few.
What is the most common philodendron?
Heartleaf Philodendron (P.scandens) is probably the most common of the climbing bunch. It has small, heart-shaped leaves that can be trained around windows, down poles and displayed on shelves.
What is the rarest philodendron?
The rarest type of philodendron is Philodendron subhastatum, a gorgeous and expensive bi-colored tropical plant and Philodendron Spiritus Sancti because it is endangered due to out rooting in its native habitat. Some other less rare types of philodendron are Philodendron brandtiantum, Philodendron cordatum and Philodendron “Congo Rojo”.
Do Monsteras belong to Philodendrons?
No. There is a popular misconception that monsteras belong to the Philodendron genus, but that’s not true and these are two separate families. For instance, Monstera deliciosa (Swiss Cheese Plant or Window Leaf Philodendron) is commonly mistaken for Split Leaf Philodendron plant.
