Heart Leaf Philodendron Plant Profile
Philodendron hederaceum, Philodendron hederaceum ‘brazil’
The classic green heart leaf philodendron is a cute and quirky little vine that many plant parents consider “easy to grow.” With similar care requirements to the beloved Pothos, these plants are content to hang out in a macrame planter and receive moderate amounts of water. Healthy leaves display a dark green, almost waxy finish.
An eye catching variegation of the heart leaf philodendron is the philodendron Brazil. With lime green vertical stripes from stem to leaf tip, each new leaf is a unique little watercolor painting. Leaves typically display 3 shades of green.
If you love hardy, vining plants, the Heart Leaf Philodendron is one you’ll enjoy in your collection!
In this post, I’ll be sharing care tips for the Heart Leaf Philodendron, which applies to both the Green & Brazil. We’ll look at:
How to Care for the Heart Leaf Philodendron
Sunshine Requirements
How to Achieve Ideal Humidity
Soil Type
Watering Frequency
Fertilizer Requirements
Propagation
Sunshine Requirements
This happy little plant loves sunshine, but not direct sun. A warm, bright window is it’s ideal location. If kept further than 4ft from a light source, your vine will begin to grow long, fragile stems and fewer leaves in an attempt to stretch toward the light. If placed outside in direct sunlight, leaves often burn within a few hours, turning yellow and papery. If you’re thinking of adding it to your back porch or outdoor space, just be sure your Heart Leaf Philodendron receives indirect light (and a little extra water to make up for the warmer location).
How to Achieve Ideal Humidity
New growth naturally has a peachy-pink color, which contrasts nicely against the deep green leaves. New leaves will at times however, struggle to unfurl when in too dry of an environment. They are after all a rainforest plant and need similar humidity levels to their native habitat in order to thrive. Giving them a humidity tray helps. A nice shower in your sink from time to time will also make a big difference in the overall health and appearance of the leaves (which tend to pick up dust over time).
Soil Type
The Heart Leaf Philodendron is a vining epiphyte, with aerial roots for climbing and attaching to trees, as well as delicate soil roots that form dense root balls. These roots prefer consistent moisture and a finer texture substrate. Opt for a tropical mix that provides moisture control, and even mix in a little perlite if you want to provide further protection against water logging. Heart Leaf Philodendron are very sensitive to extreme changes in soil moisture, so if you can provide a soil that allows you a grace period if you forget to water, and good drainage so it doesn’t turn swampy, that would be your sweet spot.
Here’s a soil recipe that works great for this family of plants: How to Make Your Own Monstera Potting Mix (Just reduce the amount of bark)
Watering Frequency
How you water and how often you water are both important details every plant parent does well to master. Being in the Philodendron family, Heart Leaf Philodendron tend to prefer deep watering/bottom watering, time to drain off, and frequent checks for soil moisture before the next big watering.
A note: Depending on the pot size and how recently you repotted your plant, you may have to water more often or less often. If your roots have taken over most of the soil, the plant will dry out much more quickly because there is not enough substrate to hold in moisture (If your leaves look it may be time to re-pot).
A note about arial roots & guttation:
Arial roots are amazing, and are a sign that your plant is thriving! In the vine family, arial roots are how you get around. They also help absorb some moisture in the air and make it much easier to propagate the plant.
Guttation is the process of the plant purging excess water that it absorbed but cannot use at the moment (To put it simply).
It will form as beautiful little drops on the edges of the leaves. They’re most noticeable early in the morning, especially after a deep watering when the soil is nice and moist.
Fertilizer Requirements
One mistake I made as a beginner plant enthusiast is not giving fertilizer frequently enough. Philodendron love nutrients rich soil. If you want to promote healthy new leaf growth, you should incorporate fertilizing into your routine. I dilute a tropical blend liquid fertilizer in my watering can and soak all my tropical babies every other time I water.
Here’s a link to my favorite tropical plant fertilizer: Miracle-Gro Tropical Houseplant Food - Liquid Fertilizer for Tropical Houseplants, 8 fl. oz.
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Fun Fact!
Heart Leaf Philodendrons are native to Central & South America, as well as the Caribbean.
