Denver houseplant sitter &
routine garden maintenance
My oldest heart-leaf philodendron, 2025
heartleaf philodendron
(philodendron hederaceum)
RECOMMENDATIONS
LIGHT
low/indirect/dappled
In general, philodendrons are "native to the low-light understory of tropical forests, primarily in Central and South America"(1) which explains their preference for indirect or dappled light.
The heartleaf in particular "can tolerate very low light levels, but most prefer moderate to indirect light when grown indoors."(1)
WATER
moderate
"Philodendrons prefer to stay evenly moist, but not wet... don't let plants sit in soggy soils or sauces of water."(1)
"They grow best in high-humidity, but tolerate the low-humidity of homes, especially in winter, quite well."(1)
FERTILIZER
light
"Once or twice per month while actively growing in the spring and summer months with a balanced all-purpose fertilizer."(1)
POTTING
Does ok being a bit pot-bound because it allows the soil to dry out more quickly between waterings.(1)
"When allowed to grow up vertical supports the leaves can grow quite large."(2)
TO PROPAGATE
Water or direct soil propagation.
Step-by-step propagation here.
Toxic to pets
"Philodendrons are toxic to pets; chewing on plants can cause oral pain, drooling, foaming, vomiting, and moderate to severe swelling of the lips, tongue, oral cavity, and upper airway. People can also have mild allergic reactions to the sap, resulting in an itchy rash."(2)
MY EXPERIENCE
LIGHT
They really have tolerated low light quite well! I've propagated or attempted to propagate probably 30 or more heartleaf philodendrons since I first got one (maybe 5 years ago?) and it's never seemed to me that low light was ever a reason they failed. One of if not *the* oldest heartleaf philodendrons I own has thrived in some pretty low light spots, including the back corner of my living room (with only an east-facing window with a balcony that has an *awning* which of course means that corner is about as dark as it gets in this space.)
WATER
They do like to be very evenly moist at all times but will tolerate a bit of dry-ness too. When they do start to dry out you can tell - they start to look, well, dry. And shriveled a bit.
I have found that they do just fine in containers with no drainage hole, you just have to be careful about when you water it. But now that I'm reading more about their water needs in depth it makes sense - having no drainage hole keeps the moisture in a bit longer and as long as you don't flood it when you water they're good at keeping whatever water you give them, in the soil.
FERTILIZER
I usually had only been fertilizing once in the spring, before with plant food but this spring with my home-made compost. Let's see how they grow! So far so good! I'll fertilize again tomorrow to see if that improves fitality.
POTTING
Now that I think of it they do like to be pot bound, my old philodendron has been happy in the same pot for quite a while now. And it's one without any holes at the bottom - in general the heartleafs I've propagated have done great in hole-less pots. It could be this and also the fact that they like moisture in general being from tropical forests.
TO PROPAGATE
Propagating is not always smooth sailing with these friends. I've had a bit of trouble with some of them grabbing hold of the soil after transplanting. Once I do get them going, however, they're pretty easy.
Did I miss a great heartleaf philodendron fact?
Any experience you'd like to share?
Feel free to contact me and leave a (kind-hearted) comment!
Another heartleaf philodendron, 2025