PHILODENDRON

Philodendron AKA Sweetheart Plant / Heart Leaf Plant 

Philodendrons are a variety-rich family of plants that are hugely popular and readily available. Heart-leaf philodendrons, for example, are versatile evergreen vines that can be placed in enclosed indoor gardens or grown into large trailing houseplants that make a stunning feature in a modern living space. Boasting a reputation as one of the easiest houseplants to care for, whichever philodendron you choose, be safe in the knowledge that they are suitable for all kinds of prospective plant owners.

Where Does It Come From?

Native to the forests of the tropical Americas, philodendron varieties occur in Central and South American countries. Many varieties of these plants are climbers and make their home spiralling up  the stems and trunks of larger forest vegetation in search of extra sunshine.

Why Should I Get One?

• A well-known air purifier, philodendrons are wonderful plants for filtering away nasty toxins and boosting air quality in the home.
• The variety of leaf colours and shapes on offer also make this plant an excellent choice for decorative terrarium projects.
• They are often relatively well priced, which means they are a great choice for plant shoppers on a budget

How Big Can It Grow? 

With regular trimming, or enclosure in a terrarium, baby philodendrons can be kept super cute and teensy if you prefer them that way. For those who are growing philodendrons in open containers, the sky is the limit! These vining plants can climb, or be trained along household fixtures for a beautiful trailing interior feature. Giving your plant the correct care, philodendrons are vigorous growers and can grow to up to 10-feet long! 

Where Should I Keep It? 

The ideal positioning for a philodendron plant depends on the specific variety. Nevertheless, as a tropical plant that often grows by other larger plants, philodendrons prefer bright, but indirect sunlight. Overall, they are happiest in medium and lower-light conditions; perhaps near, but not directly in front of a window. Many philodendrons have distinctive yellowish foliage, however if leaves begin to look over-yellow and droopy, this might indicate that the plant is getting scorched.  Being tropical, philodendrons prefer a moderate humidity, so try not to pop the plant anywhere with air that’s too dry.

NOTE: Philodendrons have a toxic sap which can cause skin irritation and internal upsets if ingested so make sure to keep the plant well out of the way of children and pets. 

How Often Should I Water It? 

Most philodendrons are quite forgiving if you skip the odd watering as they are pretty used to hot weather. A decent watering every one to two weeks should be enough for your plant to thrive and we recommend allowing the top inch of the soil to completely dry out in between waterings. If your plant is in an especially hot and bright position, increase the watering slightly. For maximum health and growth, a dose of a balanced houseplant fertiliser should be applied once per month in the spring and summer and every three months in the autumn and winter. 

Striking to look at, vigorous and easy to look after; being the proud owner of a couple of philodendron plants can be hugely rewarding, even for the most inexperienced plant-parents! Whether you’re looking to add a little tropical glamour to a terrarium, or freshen up some old shelves with some trailing botanical flourishes, these bright and attractive plants might be just the right fit for you.