41 Heart-Shaped Leaves Plants I Grow: Complete Care & ID Guide

By /

In 2025, “heart-shaped leaves indoor plants” is searched more than 90,000 times a month—that’s a 34 % jump since 2023, according to Google Trends data I track every Sunday morning over coffee. I’m not surprised. Nothing softens a sterile corner faster than a cascade of green valentines. After 12 years of collecting, propagating, and occasionally killing hundreds of specimens, I’ve narrowed my favorites to the 41 heart-shaped species that perform best in real homes, not glossy magazine spreads.

Brick Planter in Front of House The No Nonsense Guide 2: Square brick planters with colorful garden flowers.
Brick Planter in Front of House The No Nonsense Guide 2: Square brick planters with colorful garden flowers.

Below you’ll find a living database: quick ID photos, exact light needs, pet-safety status, propagation shortcuts, and the one common mistake that turns every heart leaf plant yellow. I’ve also sprinkled in the folklore, spiritual meaning, and even where to score a rare heart-shaped leaf tropical plant on Etsy without getting scammed.

Why Do Some Plants Have Heart-Shaped Leaves?

Botanists call the shape cordate—from the Latin cor for heart. The wide lobes at the base create a larger surface area that funnels water to the roots and captures dappled light on the forest floor. In short, it’s an evolutionary hack for survival under thick canopies. I like to think the plant kingdom is literally wearing its heart on its sleeve to remind us to slow down.

Heart-Shaped Leaves Identification Guide (With Photos)

Before purchasing another “mystery philodendron,” run through the table below. I use three data points: leaf texture (velvet, glossy, papery), sinus depth (how deep the notch between the two upper lobes goes), and whether the leaf is peltate (petiole attaches underneath, like a shield).

Common Name Scientific Name Texture Sinus Depth Petiole Attachment
Heartleaf Philodendron P. hederaceum Glossy, thin Shallow Standard
Micans P. hederaceum var. micans Velvet Shallow Standard
Lemon Lime P. hederaceum ‘Lemon Lime’ Glossy Shallow Standard
Brasil P. hederaceum ‘Brasil’ Glossy, variegated Shallow Standard
Silver Stripe P. hederaceum ‘Silver Stripe’ Glossy, cream stripe Shallow Standard
Gloriosum P. gloriosum Velvet, bold veins Deep Standard
String of Hearts Ceropegia woodii Fleshy, succulent None (true heart) Standard
Anthurium “Love” A. andraeanum hybrids Thick, cardboard None Peltate
Golden Pothos Epipremnum aureum Waxy Shallow Standard
Hoya Kerrii Hoya kerrii Thick, succulent None Standard

Pro-tip: If you can fold the leaf in half and the two lobes meet evenly, it’s a classic cordate shape. If they overlap, botanists call it obcordate—a fun party trick that makes you sound like a taxonomy nerd.

The 7 Best Low-Light Heart-Leaf Plants

When people ask me what shade plant has heart-shaped leaves, I hand them this list—every entry has survived 30 days in my windowless office under 50 fc (foot-candles) of LED strip lights.

  1. Heartleaf Philodendron – The MVP; read my full philodendron heart leaf care guide.
  2. Micans – Keeps iridescent sheen even in 75 fc.
  3. Brasil – Variegation stays lime-green instead of reverting.
  4. Silver Stripe – Practically glows under fluorescent bulbs.
  5. Golden Pothos – Tolerates 40 fc; NASA verified air-purifier.
  6. arrowhead Vine Syngonium podophyllum ‘Neon Robusta’ – Young leaves are pure heart.
  7. Peace Lily Spathiphyllum – Technically oblong, but the spathe looks heart-ish; blooms in low light.

9 Fool-Proof Heart-Shaped Houseplants for Beginners

I define “fool-proof” as survives missed waterings, beginner potting mix, and the occasional cat knock-over. All of these are non-toxic heart-shaped leaf plants for pets except noted.

  1. Golden Pothos – Water when droopy; ignore for weeks.
  2. Heartleaf Philodendron – See my watering needs of philodendrons cheat-sheet.
  3. Brasil – Same care as above; just needs brighter spot to keep stripes.
  4. String of Hearts – Succulent; likes to dry 100 %.
  5. Anthurium – Needs high humidity; blooms 8 months a year.
  6. Hoya Kerrii – Single-leaf gift plants survive years on windowsill.
  7. Peperomia perciliata – Mini heart, maxi cute.
  8. Begonia ‘Benitochiba’ – Fragrant pink flowers; keep leaves dry.
  9. Arrowhead Vine – Bonus: you can train it up a moss pole for rare-houseplant vibes without the price tag.

13 Rare & Wild Heart-Shaped Leaves You Can Buy on Etsy in 2025

I refresh my heart-shaped leaves plant Etsy purchase spreadsheet monthly; these cuttings are actually obtainable (≤$60) as of May 2025. Always verify the node—no node, no plant.

  1. Philodendron gloriosum ‘Dark Form’ – Velvet, white veins.
  2. Philodendron billietiae – Orange petiole, giant heart. Read my billietiae care notes.
  3. Philodendron mayoi – Looks like a palm until mature; read philodendron mayoi article.
  4. Philodendron 69686 – No fancy name, just a stunner.
  5. Anthurium clarinervium – Heart-shaped, peltate, white veins.
  6. Anthurium crystallinum – Silver veining, velvet blade.
  7. Homalomena ‘Sekadau’ – Hidden gem; terrarium friendly.

  8. Alocasia ‘Samar Lance’ – Tiny heart leaves, bullate texture.
  9. Amorphophallus konjac – Young leaves are perfect hearts before the giant inflorescence.
  10. Discorea elephantipes – Seedling stage looks like green Valentines.
  11. Monstera ‘Mini’ – Juvenile form = mini-hearts with holes.
  12. Epipremnum ‘Cebu Blue’ – Young leaves heart-shaped, metallic sheen.
  13. Syngonium ‘Mickey’ – Stays heart-shaped, never matures to arrow.

Warning: If the listing photo shows a perfectly round leaf on a “rare hoya,” it’s probably a scam. Real H. kerrii has a tiny drip tip at the apex.

Heart-Leaf Succulent Types & Care (Yes, They Exist)

People always ask “what succulent plant has heart-shaped leaves?” I’ve got two solid answers:

String of Hearts Leaves & Vines! | Crochet Garland Tutorial …

1. String of Hearts, Ceropegia woodii

  • Light: 4 h direct morning sun → bright shade afternoon.
  • Water: Drench, dry 100 %, repeat; bottom-water to prevent tuber rot.
  • Soil: 50 % cactus mix + 50 % perlite.
  • Fertilizer: ¼ strength fish emulsion monthly April–Aug.

2. Hoya Kerrii

  • Light: 2–3 h direct sun keeps leaves plump.
  • Water: Let substrate bone-dry; leaves feel flexible when thirsty.
  • Flowers: Cinnamon-vanilla scent, five-star petals.
  • Yellow-alert: Overwatering = black spots; remove immediately.

Heart-Shaped Climbing Plants for Trellis & Moss Pole

I replaced all my framed art with living walls by letting these climbers pave the drywall themselves.

  • Heartleaf Philodendron – Use Velcro tape every 6 in.
  • Brasil – Alternating lime stripe draws the eye upward.
  • Silver Stripe – Metallic flashes look back-lit at dusk.
  • Epipremnum pinnatum ‘Skeleton Key’ – Juvenile heart, mature key.
  • Rhaphidophora tetrasperma – Mini-monstera, still heart-ish.
  • Cissus discolor – Grape-like tendrils, silver speckles.

Build the pole first: check my DIY moss pole tutorial.

Variegated & Trailing Varieties for Hanging Baskets

Here’s the combo I gift at housewarmings: set a 6-inch terracotta pot inside a macramé hanger, add one each of Ceropegia woodii, Micans, and Philodendron Lemon Lime—instant rainbow waterfall.

Need hanger inspo? Peek at DIY macramé plant hangers.

Non-Toxic Heart-Shaped Leaf Plants for Pets

ASPCA clears these:

  • Caladium (all parts) – Wait, toxic! I list first to warn you.
  • True Safe List:
    • Maranta leuconeura (prayer plant) – heart-ish markings.
    • Fittonia verschaffeltii – nerve plant, miniature heart leaves.
    • Peperomia perciliata – waxy hearts, succulent-ish.
    • Hoya kerrii – thick, safe if kitty nibbles.
    • Spider Plant – not a heart, but hangs with the crew. See trimming spider plants tips.

Outdoor Shade Plants With Heart Leaves

Zones 9–11 can leave these out year-round; everyone else should treat as summer patio accents and bring in before nights drop below 55 °F.

  1. Caladium ‘Heart’s Delight’ – Sun-tolerant breed.
  2. Colocasia ‘Black Coral’ – Giant purple hearts.
  3. Brunnera macrophylla – Forget-me-not flowers, zone 3 hardy.
  4. Dicentra spectabilis – Bleeding heart (technically not cordate, but poetic).
  5. Alocasia wentii – Bronze underside, tolerates morning sun.

Native Heart-Shaped Ground Covers

Want pollinator points? Plant these North-American natives:

  • Viola sororia – common blue violet; edible flowers.
  • Asarum canadense – wild ginger, roots smell like ginger-ale.
  • Hydrophyllum virginianum – Virginia waterleaf, shade champion.

Medication, Folklore & Spiritual Meaning

In medieval Europe, a poultice of Viola leaves was applied to “soothe an inflamed heart.” Indigenous Amazonian tribes used gloriosum sap to draw out venom from snake bites—though I don’t recommend DIY pharmacy. The overarching spiritual theme across cultures is protection and emotional openness. I keep a Micans on my desk during therapy sessions; the velvet texture reminds me vulnerability can still be strong.

Fun fact: A 2025 study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology isolated flavonoids in heartleaf philodendron that show anti-anxiety activity in mouse models—so the lore isn’t all fluff.

How to Grow Heart-Shaped Leaves From Cuttings (Step-by-Step)

This is the exact method I teach in my houseplant propagation station workshops.

  1. Select: Pick a vine with at least 2 nodes (bumps where leaves/roots emerge).
  2. Cut: Sterilized scissors, ¼ in below the node; 45° angle.
  3. Rooting Medium: Option A) Filtered water + 1 drop SuperThrive. Option B) Sphagnum in a take-out box.
  4. Light: 12 h under 6500 K LED strip, 12–18 in away.
  5. Refresh: Change water every 48 h; keep moss barely damp.
  6. Plant: Move to soil when roots reach 2 in; use my philodendron soil mix recipe.
  7. Acclimation: Keep humidity 60 % for first week: plastic dome or clear tote works.

Heart Leaf Plant Yellow Leaves Fix in 24 h

Yellowing always follows the same hierarchy: overwatering > light > nitrogen. Run the table.

How to PAINT Heart Shaped and Wiggle Leaves!!

Symptom Likely Cause Immediate Action
Yellow starting at oldest leaves Nitrogen deficiency Feed ½ strength 10-10-10.
Yellow + mushy stems Root rot Remove, snip rot, reroot in water.
Yellow specks, webbing Spider mites Shower + organic pest control.
Yellow patches, crispy halo Sunburn Move 1 ft farther from window.
Yellow after repot Transplant shock Increased humidity, no fertilizer 2 weeks.

Read my deep dive on troubleshooting leaf issues—same rules apply.

Heart Leaf Plant Fertilizer Schedule (Printable)

Keep it simple: ½ strength, every watering, March–October. Skip November–February unless the plant sits under grow lights. For leca/semi-hydro, use calcium-magnesium supplement monthly to prevent leaf deformities.

Easy Varieties Verified by NASA’s Clean-Air Study

The original 1989 list is aging, but three heart-leaf plants keep showing up in 2025 replication studies:

  • Heartleaf Philodendron
  • Golden Pothos
  • Anthurium andraeanum

Place one per 100 ft² for measurable VOC reduction. Combine with a houseplant for office spaces to boost productivity 12 % (University of Exeter, 2024).

Wallet-Friendly Options Under $15 at Big-Box Stores

Not ready to drop $200 on a gloriosum? Scout these:

  • Golden Pothos 4-in pot – $4.98 (Lowe’s)
  • Heartleaf Philodendron 6-in hanging basket – $12.99 (Home Depot)
  • Arrowhead Vine ‘Neon Robusta’ – $6.48 (Walmart)
  • Peace Lily 4-in – $9.96 (Costco multipack)

Check the roots; if they wrap twice around the pot, you’re getting instant volume.

FAQs

Q: What shade plant has heart-shaped leaves?
A: Heartleaf philodendron, micans, brasil, silver stripe, and arrowhead vine all thrive in shade.

Q: What succulent plant has heart-shaped leaves?
A: String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii) and Hoya Kerrii are the two most common.

Q: Why are my heart-shaped leaves curling?
A: Usually low humidity, pests, or fertilizer salt build-up—flush soil and increase ambient moisture.

Q: How often should I fertilize?
A: ½ strength liquid feed every 2–4 weeks during active growth (spring-summer); skip winter unless under lights.

Q: Are heart-leaf philodendrons toxic?
A: Mildly—calcium oxalate crystals can irritate mouth tissue; keep away from nibblers.

References

Scroll to Top