All you need to know about

How to care for
your Philodendron

Overview

The philodendron is the second largest member of the aracae family with nearly 500 species – that’s one helluva family tree – and they’re classified into two types: vines and non-climbers. Originating from the Caribbean, Colombia and Venezuela, the Philodendron is a real globe trotter since they’ve also made their way to Asia. Like its cousin, the Pothos, Philodendrons are easy houseplants with a reputation for their air-cleaning capabilities and quick growth. Large, green and glossy, Philodendron give off a real jungle-y vibe that you can easily bring into your home or office … without the rest of the jungle. Like we said above, some varieties are climbers while others are not, but the latter tries just as hard and appreciate your words of encouragement.

Philodendron Types

Philodendron Xanadu
Philodendron Burle Marx
Philodendron Rojo Congo
Philodendron Green, Heartleaf
Philodendron Lemon Lime
Philodendron Birkin
Philodendron Moonlight
Philodendron Prince of Orange
Philodendron McColleys Finale

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Other Fun Facts

Add some Greek vocab to your lexicon – and by some, we mean two. The Greek words "philo" means "love" and "dendron" means "tree".
The perfect time for Philodendron propagation is during the growing Spring season when the birds are singing, park hangs are a thing, the weather is warm and the humidity is high.
If you have a pet bat or monkey – then forget the pet-friendly warning. Philodendrons are an important source of food for them in the wild (hasn’t been tested on domesticated bats or monkeys, so experiment at your own risk!)
Coffee grounds are an efficient source of nutrition for plants, but they must be used in moderation, and Philodendrons have a high tolerance if you overdo it when mixing the used coffee grounds into their potting soil.

Plant Care Tips

Care Level

Easy to care for, easy to prune and easy to propagate, Philodendrons are perfect for first timers. If you see any discolored leaves, dead stems or aerial roots, just give them a quick snip with a clean and sharp pair of garden scissors for a clean look; otherwise, Philodendrons don’t need regular pruning. They grow all season-round and thrive in a variety of conditions – aren’t you already inphilo?(Greek forlove).

Plant Care Tips

Light

Philodendrons love bright, indirect sunlight near windows, but beware of direct sun. Yellowing leaves may signal too much light. Conversely, pale leaves indicate insufficient light, while low light causes vine stretching. Adjust placement according to your preference for leaf density and color.

Plant Care Tips

Water

For Philodendrons, let the top inch of soil dry before watering. Use the stick test: if dry, water; if soil sticks, wait. Ensure pots have drainage to avoid waterlogging. Droopy leaves signal over or under-watering; brown edges mean underwatering; yellow leaves indicate over-watering.

Plant Care Tips

Humidity

Since Philodendrons are tropical pants, they prefer a higher humidity environment – it’ll help promote their shiny foliage. If you don’t have a humidifier, we recommend misting the plant or placing your plant on top of a pebble tray submerged in water. If you get brown tips – that generally means the humidity is too low. The more plants you have in your home, the more humid your environment will be #blessed.

Plant Care Tips

Temperature

Thanks to their jungle ancestry, Philodendrons prefer 18 to 25°C conditions to thrive. If you see any dark patches on its foliage, it might be an indication that your Philodendron is feeling the chill – either from a cold draft or your icy exterior (just kidding). Simply prune the leaf and move it to a warmer location.

Plant Care Tips

Pets

The Philodendron is considered one of the most toxic plants to pets – so you’ve got a very, very difficult choice to make. You chose the Philodendron, right? Good job.

Plant Care Tips

Care Level

Easy to care for, easy to prune and easy to propagate, Philodendrons are perfect for first timers. If you see any discolored leaves, dead stems or aerial roots, just give them a quick snip with a clean and sharp pair of garden scissors for a clean look; otherwise, Philodendrons don’t need regular pruning. They grow all season-round and thrive in a variety of conditions – aren’t you already inphilo?(Greek forlove).

Light

Philodendrons love bright, indirect sunlight near windows, but beware of direct sun. Yellowing leaves may signal too much light. Conversely, pale leaves indicate insufficient light, while low light causes vine stretching. Adjust placement according to your preference for leaf density and color.

Water

For Philodendrons, let the top inch of soil dry before watering. Use the stick test: if dry, water; if soil sticks, wait. Ensure pots have drainage to avoid waterlogging. Droopy leaves signal over or under-watering; brown edges mean underwatering; yellow leaves indicate over-watering.

Humidity

Since Philodendrons are tropical pants, they prefer a higher humidity environment – it’ll help promote their shiny foliage. If you don’t have a humidifier, we recommend misting the plant or placing your plant on top of a pebble tray submerged in water. If you get brown tips – that generally means the humidity is too low. The more plants you have in your home, the more humid your environment will be #blessed.

Temperature

Thanks to their jungle ancestry, Philodendrons prefer 18 to 25°C conditions to thrive. If you see any dark patches on its foliage, it might be an indication that your Philodendron is feeling the chill – either from a cold draft or your icy exterior (just kidding). Simply prune the leaf and move it to a warmer location.

Pets

The Philodendron is considered one of the most toxic plants to pets – so you’ve got a very, very difficult choice to make. You chose the Philodendron, right? Good job.