Philodendrons are the quiet workhorses of the houseplant world — so easy and so rewarding that most people own one without even knowing its name (it's often mistaken for pothos). Fast-growing, forgiving of low light, and happy to trail from a shelf or climb a pole, the heartleaf philodendron and its relatives are among the best plants you can hand a nervous beginner.

#Meet the philodendron

Philodendron is a huge genus of tropical aroids from the Americas. Indoors, the most common is the heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum), a trailing vine with soft, matte, heart-shaped leaves. You'll also find self-heading types like the split-leaf 'Xanadu' and climbers like 'Brasil' (green with yellow streaks) and the velvety 'Micans'. Most trailing philodendrons share the same easy care, so the advice below covers the popular ones.

#Philodendron vs pothos

Because they're constantly confused: philodendron and pothos are different plants but cared for almost identically. Heartleaf philodendron leaves are thinner, softer, and matte, with a more pronounced heart shape and aerial roots at each node; pothos leaves are thicker, glossier, and slightly puckered. If you can grow one, you can grow the other.

#Light

Philodendrons are wonderfully adaptable:

  • Best: bright, indirect light, for fast, full growth.
  • Fine: medium light in an ordinary room.
  • Tolerated: lower light, where they slow down but keep going — one of the better low-light plants.

Avoid harsh direct sun, which scorches the leaves. Variegated types like 'Brasil' keep their pattern best in brighter light.

#Watering

Philodendrons like their soil lightly moist, drying a little on top between waterings:

  • Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry — usually about weekly.
  • Soak thoroughly, drain fully, and don't leave it standing in water.
  • Yellow leaves usually mean overwatering; brown crispy edges mean under-watering or dry air.

See watering houseplants for the full method.

#Soil, potting, and feeding

Being aroids, philodendrons like an airy, well-draining mix — potting soil with plenty of perlite, and a little orchid bark for climbing types. See potting soil. Use a pot with drainage. They grow fast and can become root-bound, so repot up a size every year or two. Feed with a balanced fertiliser every 4–6 weeks in spring and summer, resting in winter — see fertilising.

#Trailing or climbing

Philodendrons are flexible: let them trail from a shelf or hanging pot for a curtain of leaves, or give them a moss pole to climb — climbing types produce noticeably larger leaves when they can attach and grow upward, just like a monstera. Tuck the aerial roots into the pole or soil.

#The secret to a full plant

Like pothos, a philodendron left alone tends to grow a few long vines while the base thins out. The fix is pruning, and it doubles your plant:

  1. Cut leggy vines back to just above a node — the plant branches from the cut points, growing bushier.
  2. Root the cuttings (each with a node and leaf) in water; in 1–2 weeks they grow roots.
  3. Plant the rooted cuttings back into the same pot to thicken it up.

See how to propagate houseplants. Philodendrons are among the easiest plants to propagate — nearly foolproof.

#Common problems

Leggy, small-leaved growth. Too little light and/or no pruning. Brighten and prune.

Yellowing leaves. Usually overwatering; check the soil isn't staying soggy.

Brown leaf tips. Dry air, inconsistent watering, or fertiliser build-up.

Pests. Occasional mealybugs or spider mites; wipe and treat with insecticidal soap — see common pests.

#A note on pets

Philodendrons are toxic to cats and dogs (calcium oxalate crystals) and irritating to people if chewed. Their trailing or hanging habit makes them easy to keep out of a pet's reach — pair style with safety.

#Why everyone should own one

The philodendron is the plant that quietly makes people good at this hobby: fast, forgiving, endlessly propagatable, and content in the medium light most homes actually have. Give it bright-ish indirect light, water when the top of the soil dries, and a prune now and then, and one modest vine becomes a lush, trailing (or climbing) green feature you'll be giving away as cuttings before long.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water a philodendron?
Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry, usually about weekly, adjusting for your light and season. Philodendrons like slightly moist soil that dries a little between waterings and dislike being waterlogged.
What's the difference between a philodendron and a pothos?
They look similar and are cared for almost identically, but they're different plants. Heartleaf philodendron has thinner, softer, matte heart-shaped leaves and aerial roots at each node; pothos leaves are thicker, glossier, and slightly puckered. Both are easy trailing aroids.
Why is my philodendron leggy with small leaves?
Legginess — long vines with big gaps and small leaves — means too little light. Move it to brighter indirect light and prune the leggy vines to encourage bushier growth; the cuttings can be rooted and replanted.
Are philodendrons toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. Like other aroids, philodendrons contain calcium oxalate crystals and are toxic to pets and people if chewed, causing mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting. Hang or place them out of reach of curious pets.
philodendronheartleafaroidtrailinglow light