Philodendron: Cultivation, Care, and Advice

Botany

The Philodendron belongs to the large family of Araceae, known for its tropical plants with lush foliage. The genus Philodendron includes about 500 to 600 officially recognized species. This diversity makes Philodendron one of the largest genera within the Araceae family. Commonly referred to as Philodendron or sometimes Monstera by mistake, Philodendron is distinguished by its wide variety of forms and habits, reflecting its incredible adaptability. Depending on the species, it can have a climbing habit, clinging to tree trunks with its aerial roots, or a more bushy and self-supporting habit, forming dense clumps. This flexibility allows it to thrive both on the ground and when suspended or supported.

The plant derives its name from the Greek “philo” meaning love and “dendron” for tree, perfectly illustrating its climbing or epiphytic nature as a “tree-loving” plant that seems to embrace the tree trunks in its natural habitat. In nature, Philodendrons thrive under the humid tropical forests of Central and South America, where they climb along trunks or cover the ground in search of light. This warm and humid environment offers ideal conditions, especially in shaded areas rich in organic matter.

Its root system is particularly well-developed and plays a key role in its adaptation. It has underground roots that provide anchorage and nutrient absorption, but most importantly, aerial roots that allow it to cling to supports and capture ambient moisture. These secondary roots are essential for its growth, especially in the naturally humid tropical environments where it thrives.

Among the most popular species, there are varieties prized for their decorative foliage, such as the Philodendron scandens with its trailing habit or the majestic Philodendron selloum with large cut leaves. The species Philodendron erubescens is one of the most popular and widespread among Philodendrons, particularly due to the wide variety of its colorful cultivars such as Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’, ‘Pink Marble’, ‘Black Cardinal’, ‘Royal Queen’, ‘Red Congo’, and ‘Imperial Red’, notable for their foliage in shades of pink, dark, or deep red. The varieties ‘Malay Gold’ and ‘Moonlight’, offer golden and lemony hues. The Philodendron hederaceum, especially in its scandens form (often called Heartleaf Philodendron), is also very widespread and appreciated for its trailing habit and easy maintenance. This latter is particularly popular in our homes and offices due to its great adaptability.

The different varieties of Philodendron offer a wide diversity in foliage colors: Philodendron ‘Pink Princess’, ‘Royal Queen’, ‘Ring of Fire’, ‘Moonlight’, ‘White Princess’ and ‘White Measure’

The foliage of the Philodendron is its major attraction. It is extremely varied, offering very distinct shapes and textures. Its leaves are generally large, glossy, and leathery, but they vary greatly from one species to another. Its leaves can be entire, heart-shaped (as in Philodendron hederaceum), deeply cut (in Philodendron bipinnatifidum or selloum) and almost dentate (in Philodendron elegans) but they generally do not have natural perforations like the Monstera with which it is often confused.

The color palette is just as rich, ranging from deep green to golden green, with shades of red, pink, and even black. Some hybrid and rare species, like the Philodendron Billietiae x Atabapoense or the Philodendron Jungle Selloum x Goeldii, showcase the botanical richness of the genus, combining original shapes and striking colors. The spectacular Philodendron ‘Ring of Fire’ captivates with its dentate and variegated leaves in green, orange, and cream, while the Philodendron ‘White Princess’ and the Philodendron ‘White Measure’ bring subtle elegance with their white veins.

The inflorescence of the Philodendron, although discreet compared to its foliage, is typical of plants in the Araceae family. It consists of a fleshy spike, enveloped by a spathe, a type of bract that can be white, cream, or greenish. This flowering is quite rare in indoor cultivation, as it requires very specific conditions of warmth and humidity. In its natural environment, this inflorescence plays an important role in reproduction, attracting certain pollinating insects.

The leaves of the Philodendron can be entire or cut. On the left, the Philodendron gloriosum, and on the right, the Philodendron selloum

Main Species and Varieties

Philodendron Red Congo
Philodendron 69686
Philodendron applanatum
Philodendron billietiae x atabapoense
Philodendron Birkin Ribbon
Philodendron Black Cardinal
Philodendron burle-marxii
Philodendron Caramel Marble
Philodendron Caramel Pluto
Philodendron Cherry Red
Philodendron sp Colombia
Philodendron elegans
Philodendron Fat Boy
Philodendron Florida Ghost
Philodendron grazielae
Philodendron gloriosum
Philodendron Holtonianum Trilobe
Philodendron Imperial Green
Philodendron Imperial Red
Philodendron Incensi
Philodendron Ivory Vein
Philodendron joepii
Philodendron Jose Bueno
Philodendron Jose Buono
Philodendron Jungle selloum x goeldii
Philodendron longilobatum
Philodendron Malay Gold
Philodendron mexicanum
Philodendron minima
Philodendron Moonlight
Philodendron Painted Lady
Philodendron Paraiso Verde
Philodendron Pink Marble
Philodendron Pink Princess
Philodendron pittieri red
Philodendron Prince of Orange
Philodendron radiatum
Philodendron Red Heart
Philodendron Ring of Fire
Philodendron Royal Queen
Philodendron rugosum Abberant
Philodendron Sun Red
Philodendron Sunlight
Philodendron tortum
Philodendron Violin Gold
Philodendron White Measure
Philodendron White Princess
Philodendron Xanadu

Planting the Philodendron

Where to Place a Philodendron in Your Home?

The Philodendron thrives when placed in an environment that mimics the tropical conditions of its natural habitat. It prefers bright locations, but without direct sunlight, which could burn its foliage. The ideal spot is near a large window facing north or southeast or southwest. A room with moderate temperature, protected from drafts, whether cold or hot, with sufficient ambient humidity, provides an ideal setting. Filtered light helps preserve the beauty of the foliage. However, insufficient light will slow its growth. Once settled, the Philodendron enjoys a gentle atmosphere to develop its lush foliage.

When to Plant?

Planting can be done at any time of the year indoors.

How to Plant a Philodendron Step by Step:

The substrate should be light, rich, and well-drained to prevent water accumulation at the roots. A potting soil for green plants mixed with a bit of perlite promotes good rooting.

• Choose a pot slightly larger than the root ball, with drainage holes at the bottom. The roots of the Philodendron fear excess water.
• Mix green plant potting soil with perlite, coconut fibre, sphagnum moss or pine bark to facilitate good drainage.
• Place clay pebbles or gravel at the bottom of the pot to prevent water stagnation.
• Gently remove the Philodendron from its original pot and slightly loosen the roots if they are too compacted.
• Place the root ball in the center of the pot without burying the collar (the base of the stem) and fill the space around with the prepared soil mix.
• Gently press the soil around the root ball to stabilize the plant, without compacting it too much.
• Moisten the substrate just after planting, but without soaking the soil. Ensure that water drains well through the holes.
• Place your Philodendron in a bright spot, without direct sunlight, with stable temperature and good ambient humidity.

Discover Leila’s tips for Growing Philodendrons Indoors

Planting a Philodendron ‘Santa Leopoldina’

How to Care for a Philodendron?

To properly maintain your Philodendron and promote its growth, a few simple steps are sufficient. **Water moderately, allowing the surface of the substrate to dry between waterings.** In summer, watering once a week is often enough, while in winter, space out the waterings.

Remember to water your Philodendron regularly

Philodendrons appreciate a humid atmosphere. **You can regularly mist its foliage with non-limestone water** (rainwater is perfect), **especially during the heating season, or place the pot on a bed of moist clay pebbles to increase the ambient humidity. However, ensure that water does not stagnate in the saucer to prevent root rot.**

**During the growth period** (from spring to autumn), **provide a liquid fertilizer for green plants once a month.** In winter, stop fertilizing.

Prune overly long or disordered stems to encourage a more compact habit. **Regularly remove yellowed or damaged leaves** to stimulate new shoots and keep the plant healthy. **Gently wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove dust** and allow the plant to breathe better and capture more light.

**Repot your Philodendron every two to three years,** preferably in spring, when the roots begin to feel cramped.

Your Philodendron will appreciate it if you mist water on its foliage occasionally

Potential Diseases and Pests

The Philodendron, although robust, can sometimes be vulnerable to certain issues. Excess moisture or poor drainage promotes the onset of fungal diseases such as root rot, which is indicated by yellowing of the foliage and softened stems.

A too dry environment or confined air attracts parasitic pests such as scale insects, which lodge under the leaves and leave cottony deposits, or spider mites that cause the foliage to dry out with fine webs. Aphids can also attack young shoots by sucking the sap, which slows down the growth. To eliminate these pests, spray with diluted black soap at 15 to 30 g per litre of water.

Finally, too intense light can cause burns on the leaves, while an excess of fertiliser can yellow the edges of the foliage. Careful maintenance and suitable growing conditions generally help prevent these problems.

→ Read our articles to learn more about suitable treatments: aphids, scale insects, spider mites.

How to Take a Cutting from a Philodendron?

Making a cutting of Philodendron in water or potting soil is a simple and effective method to propagate this tropical plant. Here are the steps to successfully propagate by cuttings:

1. Select a vigorous stem with at least one node (the point from which leaves and roots emerge) and a few leaves. Choose a stem without any signs of disease or weakness.
2. Using a clean and sharp pair of secateurs, cut just below the node. The cutting should measure about 10 to 15 cm. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Choose your propagation method:

• In water: Submerge the node in a glass of clean water, ensuring the leaves do not touch the water. Change the water every 3 to 4 days to prevent the proliferation of bacteria.
• In soil: Plant the cutting in a light, well-draining mix (potting soil for green plants, perlite, and coconut fibre). Keep the substrate slightly moist and place the cutting under a bell jar or a plastic bag to maintain humidity.

4. Place the cutting in a bright location, without direct sunlight exposure. A room temperature of 20 to 25°C will encourage root development.

5. After 2 to 4 weeks, small roots will begin to develop. Once the roots are a few centimetres long, you can repot the cutting if it was in water or continue regular care if it was in soil.

6. Transplant the rooted cutting very delicately into a pot with a rich, well-drained substrate.

7. Water lightly and place the plant in a bright location.

You can easily propagate Philodendron by taking cuttings in water or directly in soil

How to Effectively Showcase a Philodendron?

It fits wonderfully into a bohemian decor with wicker baskets and natural textiles, but also suits a more modern style with minimalist pots and metal or wood shelves. Its beautiful greenery brings softness to a sleek living room or freshness to a cosy office. Fairly easy-going, it thrives in warm and slightly humid environments, making it a perfect addition to a bright bathroom. Positioned high on a shelf or hanging in a macramé, it lets its long stems fall gracefully, adding movement and softness to the room.

The Philodendron likes natural materials such as raw wood, ceramics, or rattan, which enhance its glossy foliage. Being undemanding, it finds its place just as well in a contemporary space as in a vintage decor.

What is the difference between a Philodendron and a Monstera?

The Philodendron and Monstera are two distinct genera belonging to the same family, Araceae, yet they exhibit notable differences in terms of morphology, growth, and origin. Both genera originate from the tropical forests of Central and South America, but the Monstera is more specifically adapted to the humid undergrowth where it climbs on tree trunks, whereas the Philodendron is more diverse and occupies different levels of the tropical forest. The Monstera is famous for its large, cut-out and perforated leaves, while the Philodendron offers a greater diversity of leaf shapes, without natural perforations. Although they share tropical origins and similar needs, they remain two distinct genera with their own botanical characteristics.

The foliage of Monstera deliciosa