Are you captivated by the lush beauty of philodendrons? This definitive guide unveils the vast world of philodendron types, from popular classics to rare collector’s gems. You’ll discover the perfect philodendron to brighten your space and learn the best care practices for each.
Think of this as your comprehensive resource to transform your home into a Plantastic Haven with the right philodendron.
We’ll cover everything from vining to climbing varieties, care tips, identification nuances, and where to find these stunning plants. Ready to dive into the world of philodendrons? Let’s grow!
Key Takeaways
- Philodendrons = Big plant family, lots of looks.
- Two main styles: Climbers (vines) & Bushy ones (self-heading).
- Leaves tell the story: Shape, feel, color help with philodendron identification.
- Most are easy keepers: Need decent light, don’t drown them. Basic indoor plant care applies.
- New philodendron cultivars arrive often. The list grows.
- Knowing your type helps you care for it right.
What Exactly is a Philodendron?
Think jungles. Warm places. Plants that like trees—”Philo-dendron” means tree-loving. Many climb. Some just grow wide. They’re related to Peace Lilies. People like them indoors because they look green and don’t usually throw a fit. Good for adding life to a room, even if you’re new to caring for house plants.
Two main ways they grow:
Climbers/Viners: Long stems that wander. Need support like a pole or shelf to climb on. Think Heartleaf Philodendron.
Bushy/Self-Headers: Grow upright from the middle. Get wider, not longer vines. Think Philodendron Birkin.
Common Philodendrons: The Ones You See Often
These are easy to find. Reliable green buddies.
Heartleaf Philodendron (P. hederaceum / cordatum): The classic vine. Green heart-shaped leaves. Super easy. Trails or climbs. Hard to kill. For more details, check Philodendron Cordatum care.
Philodendron Brasil: Like Heartleaf, but with yellow/lime streaks down the middle. Easy vine. Adds color. If leaves yellow, maybe too much water.
Philodendron Birkin: Bushy. Dark leaves, thin white stripes. Looks neat. Stays put. Popular now. Keep stripes bright with proper Philodendron Birkin care. You can even propagate a Philodendron Birkin.
Philodendron Micans: Climber. Heart leaves feel like velvet. Often reddish underneath. Looks rich. Likes humidity. Get specific tips in the Micans Philodendron care guide.
Tree Philodendron (Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum): Used to be P. selloum. Big boy. Bushy. Huge leaves cut like fingers. Needs room. Makes a statement. It’s the classic Tree Philodendron.
Climbers: Reaching for the Sky (or Shelf)
These guys want to go up or hang down.
Philodendron Red Emerald: Climber. Green arrow leaves. Stems are reddish. Adds a pop of color. Needs support. Check its Red Emerald care needs.
Pink Princess Philodendron: Climber. Dark leaves, hot pink splashes. Trendy. Can be pricey. Needs good light for pink. A true collector’s item among rare houseplants.
Silver Sword Philodendron (P. hastatum): Climber. Leaves look silvery-blue, shaped like arrowheads or swords. Striking color. Needs a pole. Learn about Silver Sword Philodendron care.
Philodendron Squamiferum: Climber. Oak-leaf shaped green leaves. Weird fuzzy red stems (petioles). Unique texture. Needs support. Find care info for the Philodendron Squamiferum.
Bushy Types: Staying Put and Looking Good
These grow wide, not long vines.
Philodendron Gloriosum: Crawler (not truly bushy, but doesn’t vine up). Huge velvet heart leaves, bright white veins. Spreads sideways. Needs space. Stunning. Read the Philodendron Gloriosum guide.
Philodendron Selloum / Hope Selloum: Same as the Tree Philodendron above. Big, bushy, cut leaves.
Philodendron Prince of Orange: Bushy. New leaves are bright orange! Fade to green. Colorful. Compact. See the Prince of Orange Philodendron page.
Philodendron Shangri-La: Bushy. A split-leaf type, but more compact and dense than the big Tree Philo. Ruffled edges. More on Philodendron Shangri-La.
Philodendron White Princess: Bushy/Upright. Green leaves with white patches, sometimes pink hints on stems. Related to Pink Princess but grows differently. Needs good light. Learn White Princess Philodendron care.
Rare & Fancy Philodendrons (2025 Update)
Harder to find. Cost more. For the collectors. Searching for rare philodendrons for sale takes effort.
Philodendron Spiritus-Sancti: Super rare. Long, skinny leaves. The ‘holy grail’. Costs a fortune.
Philodendron Melanochrysum: Climber. Long velvet leaves, almost black. Stunning. Needs humidity. Get info on Philodendron Melanochrysum.
Philodendron Verrucosum: Climber. Fuzzy stems. Shimmery heart leaves, often red underneath. Needs high humidity. A beauty. Read the Philodendron Verrucosum guide.
Philodendron Billietiae: Climber. Long wavy leaves. Bright orange stems. Cool contrast. Needs space. Philodendron Billietiae care guide.
Philodendron Splendid (Verrucosum x Melanochrysum): Climber. Hybrid. Dark velvet leaves, combines traits of both parents. Gorgeous. See the Philodendron Splendid profile.
New Hybrids: Watch for names like ‘Florida Beauty’ (mottled green/cream), ‘Caramel Marble’ (wild colors), ‘Paraiso Verde’ (long mottled leaves). Philodendron hybrids keep coming.
Philodendron ID: How to Tell Them Apart
Too many varieties of philodendrons? Look closely. Philodendron identification basics:
Climber or Bushy? Does it send out long vines or stay put?
Leaf Shape? Heart? Arrow? Long? Round? Cut edges? This is key. Lots of different types of philodendron leaves.
Leaf Feel? Smooth? Glossy? Velvet? Fuzzy?
Color? Green? Streaks (like Philodendron Brasil)? Stripes (Birkin)? Pink (Pink Princess)? Silver (Silver Sword)? Orange new leaves (Prince of Orange)? Dark (Melanochrysum)?
Stems (Petioles)? Normal green? Red (Red Emerald)? Orange (Billietiae)? Fuzzy (Squamiferum, Verrucosum)? Check the philodendron fuzzy petiole types.
Put clues together. Climber + Velvet Heart Leaf = Maybe Micans? Bushy + White Stripes = Birkin?
Philodendron Care Guide 2025: Simple Rules
Keep it alive. Here’s the basic philodendron care guide:
Light: Bright spot, but no direct hot sun. Near a window is good. More light usually means better color/growth. Check philodendron light requirements. East window = often perfect. Adjusting lighting conditions for your philodendron helps.
Water: Water well when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Let extra water drain out. Don’t leave it sitting in water—causes root rot. Water less in winter. Know the watering needs of philodendrons. Yellow leaves often mean too much water.
Soil: Loose, chunky soil that drains fast. Mix potting soil with orchid bark or perlite. Good drainage is vital. Use a quality philodendron soil mix.
Food (Fertilizer): Feed lightly during spring/summer (when it’s growing) with balanced houseplant food mixed half-strength. No food in winter. Details on fertilizing philodendron plants.
Temperature: Normal house temps are fine (65-80°F / 18-27°C). Keep away from cold drafts. Know how cold philodendron can tolerate.
Humidity: They like moisture in the air, especially velvet ones. Group plants, use pebble tray, or humidifier. Good for plants in humid environments.
Support: Climbers need a pole or trellis to climb. Learn how to stake philodendron.
Pruning: Snip long vines to make bushier. Clean cuts above a node. Details on pruning and shaping philodendron plants. Knowing where to cut a philodendron is key.
Philodendron Propagation: Make More Plants Free!
Easy to make copies. Use philodendron propagation methods:
Stem Cuttings (Easiest):
Cut: Snip a stem piece below a node (bump where leaf joins). Need 1-2 leaves + node(s). Learn how to cut a philodendron plant.
Root in Water: Put node(s) in water jar. Keep leaves dry. Change water often. Wait for roots (1+ inch). It’s simple to propagate philodendrons in water. See how to root philodendron cuttings in water.
Root in Soil: Dip cut end in rooting powder (optional). Plant node in moist soil. Keep warm/humid.
Pot Up: Once rooted, plant in regular pot. Learn to transplant your philodendron cuttings to soil.
Find more philodendron propagation tips and tricks and the best time to propagate your philodendron. Master propagating a philodendron easily.
Fixing Philodendron Problems: Pests & Sick Leaves
Things go wrong sometimes. Here’s philodendron pest control and disease help:
Problem: Yellow Leaves
Why? Too much water usually. Maybe too little? Old leaf?
Fix: Check soil moisture! Water less if wet. Water more if bone dry. If just one old leaf, pull it off. See why philodendron leaves turn yellow.
Problem: Brown Crispy Tips/Edges
Why? Air too dry. Water not consistent. Too much fertilizer?
Fix: Boost humidity. Water when top soil dries. Flush soil if overfed.
Problem: Brown Spots
Why? Fungal/bacterial spot? Sunburn? Water drops on leaves in sun?
Fix: Remove bad leaves. Improve air flow. Don’t wet leaves. Move from hot sun. Figure out why my philodendron has brown spots.
Problem: Droopy Leaves
Why? Thirsty! Or… drowned roots (root rot). Transplant shock?
Fix: Feel soil. Water if dry. If wet, check roots for rot (mushy/brown). Repot if needed. Be patient after repotting. Learn to prevent drooping leaves.
Problem: Tiny Bugs / Webs (Spider Mites)
Why? Pests arrived. Like dry air.
Fix: Wipe leaves clean (top & bottom). Spray with water or insecticidal soap. Boost humidity.
Problem: White Fluffy Bugs (Mealybugs)
Why? Pests hiding in joints.
Fix: Wipe off with alcohol q-tip. Spray with soap. Check often.
Problem: Leggy / Stretched Growth
Why? Not enough light.
Fix: Move to brighter spot. Prune back to encourage bushiness.
Learn more about common philodendron plants pests and diseases and general troubleshooting philodendron plants.
Which Philodendron Type is Right For You?
Quick guide to choose:
Super Easy / Beginner: Heartleaf, Brasil. Very forgiving. Great houseplants for beginners.
Low Light Tolerant: Heartleaf can handle dimmer spots than most. Also check these houseplants for low light.
Likes to Climb: Heartleaf, Brasil, Micans, Red Emerald, Pink Princess, Melanochrysum, Verrucosum, Billietiae, Splendid, Squamiferum, Silver Sword. Need support!
Stays Bushy / Upright: Birkin, Prince of Orange, Shangri-La, White Princess, Tree Philodendron (gets BIG).
Showstopper / Big Leaves: Gloriosum, Melanochrysum, Verrucosum, Tree Philodendron, Billietiae. Need space.
Cool Texture: Micans (velvet), Squamiferum (fuzzy stems), Verrucosum (fuzzy stems).
Colorful Leaves: Brasil (yellow stripe), Pink Princess (pink!), Prince of Orange (orange new leaves), Painted Lady (mottled yellow), White Princess (white patches). Explore more houseplants with colorful foliage.
Think about your light, space, and how much fuss you want. Find where to buy a philodendron locally or online. Go find one. See if you like it. That’s all.
References:
University of Florida, IFAS Extension: Philodendron bipinnatifidum
(Botanical details on the Tree Philodendron type)
Missouri Botanical Garden: Philodendron hederaceum
URL: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=276388
(Good info on the common Heartleaf Philodendron)
International Aroid Society
(Deep dive resource for serious plant people)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Philodendron
(Reliable general overview and species links)
Clemson Cooperative Extension: Philodendron
(Practical care and common problem advice)