Heartleaf philodendron: Perfect climber with attractive heart shaped leaves
Image Source: Yercaud-elango / CC BY-SA (Image Cropped)
They are evergreen plants/ climbers native to the tropical forest. The plants can survive in harsh climatic conditions making them easy to grow and difficult to kill. They have very low maintenance. The plants are grown for their beautiful heart shaped shiny leaves.
Quick Details of Heartleaf philodendron
| Other Common Names | Heartleaf philodendron, sweetheart plant |
| Type | Indoor/outdoor ornamental plant |
| Maintenance | Low (Keep the leaves clean) |
| Flowering | Late spring/ early summer (Mostly in natural conditions) |
| Light | Low to moderate bright indirect sunlight, can survive in partial indirect light. |
| Water | Regular watering (mist the plant frequently) |
| Temperature | Warm humid conditions |
| Soil | Well drained, sand |
| Fertilizer | Any house plant fertilizer |
| Habitat | Mexico, Brazil, West Indies. |
| Toxicity | Toxic to animals. keep away from children |
| Common Diseases | Fungal Gnat, root rot |
| Scientific name | Philodendron scandens |
Heartleaf philodendron Buying Instructions
- Leaves of the plant should be shine a healthy.
- Bye plat with multiple vines if possible.
Overview of Heartleaf philodendron
It is native to Mexico, Brazil and is the most popular species. The plants belong to the family Araceae. It can be grown as a shrub or as a climber. They are native to the tropical forest. The leaves are large, broad and heart shaped with a light brown tint. They flower mostly during summer or spring. They can survive in diverse habitats. The leaves have a leathery glossy appearance and can grow up to a length of 10 inches.
Growth: The plants can either be pruned and grown as a bushy shrub or can be let free to grow as a vine or a climber. They are naturally climbers which grow on the trunks of tall trees.
Usage and Advantage of Heartleaf philodendron
- Grown as an ornamental plant.
General Care for Heartleaf philodendron
Soil: They prefer a well-drained soil. A potting mixture with a mix of peat, perlite and sand in 2:1:2 ratio can be perfect for their growth.
Water: They are tropical plants and grow best in moist conditions. They should be watered regularly during summers. Care should be taken to maintain the soil moist but not wet or soggy. Soggy or dry soil can result in problems or yellowing of leaves. The leaves can be sprayed with water or wiped with a wet cloth one in a while during winters they require very little water.
Light: They prefer bright indirect sunlight or direct filtered light. They can also thrive in low to medium indirect light.
Temperature and humidity: They prefer warm and humid conditions with a temperature range between 15ºc to 21ºc. They can tolerate harsh climatic conditions but they thrive best when the conditions are humid. The growth rate decreases when grown in a hot or very cold climate.
Pruning: The tip of the plant can be pinched off to allow it to branch. Pinching off can be done anytime and should be done close to the leaf node.
The plant should be re-potted ones in 2-3 years
Fertilizer: The plants prefer nutrient rich soil. They can be fed with a balanced houseplant fertilizer one in a month mainly during their growing period (summer, spring)
Pests and other problems for Heartleaf philodendron
They are mostly prone to insects and pathogens. One of the common pests found is fungal gnats. The attack of pests can be prevented by spraying the leaves with neem oil.
The plants can face problems because of over watering, under watering and due to exposure to intense sunlight.
Wilted leaves: Caused mostly due to the absence of water in the soil. It can also be caused due to root rot.
Brown scorch marks: Caused when the plants are exposed to direct sunlight for a longer time.
In some cases, brown spots can also be formed due to fungal attacks. This happens when there is excess moisture in the leaves. The leaves can be wiped to remove excess moisture and the infected leaves can be chopped off.
Yellow leaves: Caused mostly when the soil is soggy. This can be prevented by avoiding over-watering of the plants and growing them in pots with drainage holes and well-drained soil.
Propagation of Heartleaf philodendron
The propagation is done through stem cuttings. The stem cuttings can be collected and planted in moist soil. The moisture can be maintained by watering the soil regularly. Propagation is mostly done during summer or spring.
