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Illustration of a Heart Leaf Philodendron plant with dark green, heart-shaped leaves on thin stems, set against a light green background, conveying a serene, natural feel.

Heartleaf Philodendron

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Philodendron hederaceum

KNOWN AS: Sweetheart Plant, Devil's Ivy, 'Cordatum'

CLIMATE (LOCATION): Caribbean, Central & South America | Tropical

DESCRIPTION: This is a popular plant that is often grown indoors. It has green leaves in the shape of a heart. People sometimes mistake it for a Pothos, but you can tell them apart because Heartleaf Philo have pointier leaves and are thinner and more delicate.

Easy difficulty & pet toxic

Heartleaf Philodendron Plant Care

Lighting

Light Requirement: Medium Light (Medium Indirect Light) to High Light (Bright Indirect Light); Low Light Tolerant

Heartleaf philodendron prefer bright, indirect light which can be obtained from placing your plant in an east or west-facing window. The heartleaf philodendron is tolerant of low light conditions, but you should expect lower rates of growth in these conditions. Monitoring the appearance of your plants leaves is the best way to identify lighting issues.

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Watering

Quick Tip: Water until water comes out of drainage holes. Allow top 2 inches of soil to completely dry between waterings.

The heartleaf philodendron prefers to be kept in continuously damp, but not soggy, soil that is on the moist side. When the top inch of soil seems dry to the touch, water the plant with room temperature water. Avoid leaving the plant to sit in standing water, as this can lead to root rot. Instead, water the plant well and let any extra water drain out of the bottom of the pot. Reduce watering over the winter, but don't let the soil get completely dry. Lower humidity levels are tolerable for heartleaf philodendron, but spraying the leaves or using a humidifier can make them flourish. It's crucial to avoid overwatering the plant since this can result in yellowing or leaf drop. Your heartleaf philodendron will grow and stay healthy if the soil is continuously moist but well-draining and you avoid extremes of wet or dry soil.

Temperature

Preferred Temperature: 65º - 80º

Heartleaf philodendron plants do best between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (18 and 26 degrees Celsius). They can handle temperatures a little below 50°F (10°C), but if they stay there for a long time, they may get sick. Don't put them near cold drafts, air conditioners, or heater vents, because sudden changes in temperature can hurt the leaves. They also like humidity levels between 40 and 60%, so keep them away from places with low humidity, like near radiators or other sources of heat.

Humidity

Preferred Humidity: 40 - 60%; Moderate Humidity

Heartleaf philodendron is a popular houseplant that grows well when there is enough humidity. Heartleaf philodendron likes about 60% relative humidity. The easiest way to keep this level of humidity all the time is to use a humidifier. Put the humidifier close to the plant and change the settings to meet the plant's needs. Plants lose water through a process called transpiration. By putting plants close to each other, you can make a microclimate with more humidity. Put your heartleaf philodendron near other plants to make the room as a whole more humid. By misting the leaves with water, you can make the air around the plant more humid. Every few days, mist the leaves with a spray bottle. Be careful not to water the plant too much, because too much water can cause fungus to grow. A pebble tray is a shallow dish that has pebbles and water in it. Place the pot of the heartleaf philodendron on top of the pebbles, making sure that the water does not touch the bottom of the pot. The water evaporates, creating a humid microclimate around the plant. The humidity can also be affected by where the plant is. Don't put the plant near heat or air conditioning sources, which can dry out the air and make it less humid. Instead, find a spot that gets indirect sunlight and has good air flow.

Additional Plant Care

Propagation
Stem cuttings can be used to propogate heartleaf philodendron plants. To make more plants, cut a piece of a healthy plant's stem with a few leaves and nodes. Cut the stem just below a node and remove any leaves from the bottom of the cut stem. Dip the cut end in a hormone that makes roots grow, and then plant it in soil or potting mix that drains well, making sure to bury the node. Give the soil a lot of water and put the pot somewhere with bright, but not direct, light. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and occasionally mist the cutting. After a few weeks, the cutting should start to grow roots and send out new shoots. After the cutting has grown roots, you can move it to a bigger pot or garden. Heartleaf Philodendron plants can also be spread by dividing them, though this method works best with older plants.
Toxicity
The heartleaf philodendron is toxic to humans and pets if ingested. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation and discomfort when chewed or swallowed. If a person or pet ingests any part of the heartleaf philodendron, they may experience symptoms such as mouth and throat irritation, burning sensation, swelling, difficulty swallowing, and potentially vomiting. If ingestion occurs, it is recommended to rinse the mouth with water and seek medical attention, especially if severe symptoms develop or if a large amount of the plant has been consumed. It's also important to keep the plant out of the reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion. While the heartleaf philodendron can be toxic if ingested, it's worth mentioning that simply touching the plant or being in close proximity to it typically does not cause significant issues. However, some individuals may be more sensitive and may experience skin irritation upon contact.
Repotting
heartleaf philodendron can be moved to a new pot every one to two years. The best time to put a plant in a new pot is in the spring, when it is growing. Choose a pot that is just a little bit bigger than the one you have now, since heartleaf philodendron like to have their roots a little bit crowded. Make sure the pot has holes in the bottom so water can drain out. Carefully take the plant out of its pot, making sure not to hurt the roots. Loosen the roots gently and get rid of any that are dead or broken. Fill the new pot with fresh potting mix that drains well, leaving enough space for the root ball of the plant. Put the plant in the new pot and use potting mix to fill in any holes. Water the plant well and let the extra water drain away. After repotting, put the plant in a place with bright but not direct light for a few weeks to help it recover.
Pruning
heartleaf philodendron plants are easy to take care of and can grow in a healthy way if they are pruned every so often. Use clean, sharp pruning shears to cut cleanly just above a healthy leaf node or bud when you prune. Start by taking off any leaves that are dead or turning yellow, as well as any branches that are getting too long or aren't growing in the right way. If the plant is getting too big, you can also cut back the stems to the size you want, making sure to leave a few healthy leaves on each stem. This will help the plant grow new leaves and keep a more compact and attractive shape. Attaching heartleaf philodendron plants to a trellis or other support can also help them grow taller and fill out more. You can prune the plant whenever you need to, but don't prune it in the winter when the plant is sleeping. heartleaf philodendron plants can grow well and add a touch of natural beauty to any indoor space if they are pruned and cared for properly.
Fertilizing
A heartleaf philodendron needs to be fertilized as part of its care. During the growing season, which is usually spring and summer, you can use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer with a ratio of nitrogen to phosphorus to potassium of 10 to 10 to 10 or 20 to 20 to 20. During fall and winter, you can cut back on how often you apply fertilizer. You can use the fertilizer once every two to four weeks by following the instructions on the package and mixing it with water. Overfertilizing can hurt the roots, so it's better to be safe and use a weaker solution than one that's too strong. Before fertilizing, it's also important to make sure the soil is moist, because fertilizer can burn dry roots. Lastly, it's a good idea to flush the soil every few months with water to keep fertilizer from building up.
Soil
Heartleaf philodendrons do best in nutrient-rich soil that drains well and is moist but not soaked. To make sure there is enough drainage, a good potting mix for heartleaf philodendron should have equal parts of peat moss, perlite, and coarse sand or vermiculite. Peat moss adds organic matter to the soil, and perlite and coarse sand help keep the soil from getting too wet and too hard. During the growing season, adding some organic fertilizer to the soil in the pot can help give the plant the nutrients it needs for healthy growth. It's also important to make sure the pH of the soil is between 6.0 and 6.5.

Hanging Heights

Heartleaf Philodendron Lighting Requirements: Medium Light (Medium Indirect Light) to High Light (Bright Indirect Light); Low Light Tolerant

Chart showing recommended hanging heights for Soltech Aspect and popular plants for each range.

Aspect Hanging Heights - Heartleaf Philodendron

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Soltech's Recommendation -

24" to 60"

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VIEW ASPECT GROW GUIDE

Vita Hanging Heights - Heartleaf Philodendron

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Soltech's Recommendation -

36º Narrow Beam Vita : 24" to 80"

60º Wide Beam Vita : 12" to 48"

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VIEW VITA GROW GUIDE

Highland Hanging Heights - Heartleaf Philodendron

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Soltech's Recommendation -

36º Narrow Beam Highland : 30" to 96"

60º Wide Beam Highland : 18" to 72"

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VIEW HIGHLAND GROW GUIDE

Grove Hanging Heights - Heartleaf Philodendron

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Soltech's Recommendation:

  • 1" to 24"

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VIEW GROVE GROW GUIDE

Lighting guide for plants with Soltech Aura and potted plants on a neutral background

Aura Light Distances - Heartleaf Philodendron

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Soltech's Recommendation:

  • 8" to 18"

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VIEW AURA GROW GUIDE

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