Heartleaf Philodendron

Philodendron hederaceum

Family Araceae

HouseplantZones 10-12

Botanical illustration of Heartleaf Philodendron

Heart-shaped leaves by the yard: heartleaf philodendron drapes bookcases and door frames in soft green cascades that can run eight feet long. It has the romance of a fussy trailing plant with none of the temperament — lush is simply its default setting.

Nearly as indestructible as a pothos but softer to look at, it's content in medium light and fine being ignored for a week. Not a snack for cats or dogs, so hang it high — a basket hook was always its best angle anyway.

Where to buy heartleaf philodendron — 1 nursery compared

  • Medium to bright indirect
  • Moderate water
  • Fast growth
  • Deer-resistant
  • None winter chill
Heartleaf Philodendron — a print from the Plant Library collection

From the print shop

Growing heartleaf philodendron? Hang it.

Our Plant Library collection carries heartleaf philodendron — Philodendron hederaceum, print Nº 228, “Heartleaf Philodendron.”

526 designsfrom $12.99white or black backgroundmatte poster, unframed

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Will it thrive where you are?

Enter your ZIP — we look up your USDA hardiness zone (2023 map) and check it against what heartleaf philodendron actually needs.

Hardy inZones 10-12
Winter chillNone

Heartleaf Philodendron · Common problems

Common heartleaf philodendron problems

Pests, diseases and weather to keep an eye on.

Pests

3 problems on file

Diseases

1 problem on file

Heartleaf Philodendron · Growing & propagation

Growing heartleaf philodendron

Light, water, soil, propagation and the season’s jobs.
What it needsThe details
Light
Medium to bright indirect
Water
Moderate

Top inch dry between waterings

Soil
Standard potting mix + perlite · pH 5.5 - 6.5
Fertilizer
Monthly in growing season
Pruning
Anytime

Pinch past a node to bush it up; cuttings root in water.

Spacing
One per pot

How to plant & propagate heartleaf philodendron

Propagate
Stem/leaf cuttings, division, or pups

Heartleaf Philodendron · Calculators & field guides

A little help in the garden.

Calculators for the figures. Field guides for the hands-on work.

Heartleaf Philodendron · Yearly calendar

The heartleaf philodendron year, month by month

What heartleaf philodendron asks for, month by month.

Jan

PruneJanuary to December

MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Prune

PruneJanuary to December

What each band means

  • Prune — shape it now — cuts heal cleanly and structure is visible.

These are the species' typical months — expect them a few weeks earlier in warm zones and later in cold ones. Watch the plant, not just the calendar.

Heartleaf Philodendron · Ecology & uses

Ecology & uses

What it does for the garden, and what it is grown for.
Botanical illustration of Heartleaf Philodendron

Philodendron hederaceum

Heartleaf Philodendron in the garden system

Moisture
Facultative / average
Deer
Resistant

A safer unfenced choice

Origin
Introduced

What heartleaf philodendron is grown for

⚠ Toxic if eatenToxic to cats/dogs (calcium oxalate)

Use
Hanging baskets
Use
Shelf trailing

Edibility, identification, and traditional-use notes here are general reference — not medical or veterinary advice, and not a claim that any plant treats or prevents anything. Medicinal ratings record how strongly a plant features in herbal tradition, nothing more. Never eat or dose a plant you have not positively identified. More on how to use this library.

Heartleaf Philodendron · Varieties & cultivars

Choosing a heartleaf philodendron variety

Match the plant to your climate, season and available space.

'Brasil' (lime stripe); 'Micans' (velvet leaf); classic green

Sources & plant identity

Know what you’re growing.
See where the knowledge comes from.

Botanical illustration of Heartleaf Philodendron

Heartleaf Philodendron

Philodendron hederaceum

The plant, at a glance.

Botanical name
Philodendron hederaceum
Plant family
Araceae
Growth habit
Houseplant · Perennial
Origin
Introduced
USDA plant symbol
PHHE17
Invasive risk
Low
Every garden is different.

Hardiness, size and timing vary with your cultivar, soil and climate.

Rooted in research.

University extension research, brought together with hands-on growing experience at Story Thyme Farms.

Explore Heartleaf Philodendron’s sources3 reference links
for Heartleaf Philodendron

Research from these sources

Publisher marks identify sources, not sponsorship or endorsement.

Questions

Heartleaf Philodendron questions, answered straight.

Do deer eat heartleaf philodendron?

Rarely — heartleaf philodendron is considered deer-resistant, which makes it one of the safer unfenced choices in deer country. Hungry deer in a hard winter test every rule, but it's a low-risk pick.

Is heartleaf philodendron safe for kids and pets?

No — treat it as toxic if eaten. Toxic to cats/dogs (calcium oxalate) Site it accordingly if children or pets roam the garden. This is general reference, not medical or veterinary advice — call a vet or poison control if something has actually been eaten.

How do you propagate heartleaf philodendron?

Stem/leaf cuttings, division, or pups.

Elsewhere

Where heartleaf philodendron sits in the library.

Where heartleaf philodendron sits in the library

Grows in the same world