Melinda Myers

Philodendron

Botanical Name

Philodendron spp.

Min Zone

11

Max Zone

12

Height

Depends on supporting structure

Width

Depends on supporting structure

Light

Indirect or filtered, tolerant of low light

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Planting & Care

• Do not overwater
• Water when  top few inches of soil is starting to dry
• Never let plants stand in water
• Avoid cool temperatures
• Fertilize with a diluted housepant fertilizer
• Repot any time of the year
• Loses variegation in too little light
• Propagate by cuttings or air layering
• Increase density by:
  • Pinch out growing tip to encourage branching
  • Prune long, leggy stems
  • Use cuttings to propagate

Problems

Brown tips can be caused by too much fertilizer or overwatering. Aphids, mealybugs, scale and spider mites are occassional problems. Keep philodendrons away from pets and children as this plant can be toxic if eaten.

Varieties

• Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) - heart-shaped leaves, very low light tolerant
• Philodendron 'Autumn' - upright, 2-3'
• Philodendron x 'Hope' - non-vining
• Philodendron gloriosum - large velvety leaves
• Split Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron bipinnatifidum 'Shangri-La') - dwarf split leaf
• P. bipinnatifidum 'Xanadu' - lower growing split leaf variety, up to 3' tall
• P. bipinnatifidum 'Dwarf Selloum' - up to 6' tall and wide
• Philodendron brandtianum - vine type with attractive marbled leaves
• Philodendron 'Birkin' - dark green leaves streaked in white, up to 3'
• Philodendron erubescens 'Prince of Orange' - dense variety with large leaves that emerge coppery-orange, compact 2', best color in brighter light
• P. erubescens 'Black Cardinal' - self-heading type, large 8-10 inch leaves, new leaves emerge bright burgundy-red and mature to black
• P. erubescens 'Red Empress' - deeply lobed, reddish leaves, self-heading type
• P. erubescens 'Burgundy' - very shiny reddish leaves with burgundy veins and red stems
• Fiddle Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron panduriforme) - climing type, large 12-18" fiddle-shaped leaves
• P. panduriforme 'Splash Gordon' - leaves are variegated with cream
• Velour Philodendron (Philodendron melanochrysum) - velvety, large, elongated heart-shaped leaves up to 3' long, blackish green with pale veins
• Philodendron domesticum 'Calkin's Gold' - elephant's ear type, large 18-24" leaves with wavy margins, gold leaves are streaked with green