The Philodendron types of houseplants are popular among indoor plant growers for their ease and vast variety. There are over 450 different types of Philodendron plants available, with most making excellent indoor houseplants. They are adaptable to many household conditions and considered a great choice for novice growers.
Philodendron Varieties Appearance
There are two main types of Philodendron plants: vining and non-vining. The vining varieties grow as long as 20 feet and do well in either a hanging basket or in large pots with a trellis added for climbing. The non-vining Philodendron varieties grow like typical houseplants, with some growing large enough to make excellent floor plants.
Most Philodendron types of houseplants feature stunning foliage with large, glossy leaves. The color can range from deep green to pale shades of silver or yellowish-green. Many varieties produce blooms, typically in the spring and summer, but some varieties bloom more rarely than others.
Philodendron Types Light and Water Requirements
As most Philodendrons grow in the lush understory of tropical forests, their light requirements should recreate that dappled sunlight exposure. Most Philodendron varieties prefer bright, indirect sunlight or dappled sun throughout the day. Avoid exposing your Philodendron to hours of direct sunlight each day as this will fade or scorch the foliage.
Water needs throughout most Philodendron types are much the same. The plants prefer consistently moist soil but not soggy soil as they are prone to root rot. In general, letting the top two inches of soil dry out between waterings is a good rule of thumb. In winter, reduce waterings when the plant goes into its dormant stage and growth stops.
Soil and Fertilizer for Philodendron Varieties
Provide a well-draining soil for best growth of this houseplant. Amending potting soil with perlite and some compost will suit most types of Philodendron. The pot the plant grows in should always have drainage holes to allow excess moisture to escape. Depending on the type of Philodendron you’re growing, fertilizer needs will vary. Most appreciate some fertilizing from spring to early fall to aid in growth and blooming. Light feeders may require you dilute the fertilizer while fast-growing Philodendron varieties will require multiple feedings per month.
Philodendron Temperature and Humidity Needs
Philodendrons, in general, prefer warm and humid growing conditions. Regular household temperatures and a humidity level of around 50 percent will suffice. As the plant is not cold-tolerant, temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius) will slow the plant’s growth. Supplement low humidity levels with a humidifier or pebble tray to avoid browning of the leaves’ edges.
Philodendron Types Propagation, Pests, and Disease
Many types of Philodendron propagate easily by cuttings. Others will grow from seeds collected from the mother plant, while a few propagate by division. In general, Philodendrons are hearty plants that are not especially susceptible to pests. The regular culprits to watch for are mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites. Root rot and leaf fungus are the most common diseases affecting this houseplant.
Philodendron Varieties
Blushing Philodendron Types
The Blushing Philodendron is a vining variety featuring large, waxy leaves with reddish undersides. As houseplants, these types of Philodendron grow an average of 3 feet (0.9 meters) but reach up to 60 feet (18.2 meters) in the wild. The blooms appear in spring and summer with attractive, red flowers.
These types of Philodendron prefer less sunlight than other varieties. Set them in an East-facing window to get morning light. They will also tolerate low-lighting conditions. Do not let the sun’s rays directly touch the foliage as it will scorch. Water the plant when the top two inches of soil feels dry when a finger is inserted. Ensure the soil is moist but not soggy as this leads to root rot. Use a pot with drainage holes to let excess water drain into a tray below, then discard the excess water.
Provide a loamy, well-draining soil for your Blushing Philodendron. A standard potting soil amended with peat or coarse sand works well. Feed the plant with a houseplant fertilizer one to two times per month during the spring and summer. In the fall and winter, reduce feedings to once every two months.
Philodendron Green Congo
These Philodendron varieties grow to 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall and are non-vining, making them excellent floor plants. The plant’s green leaves feature smooth edges and are shiny. Blooming is rare for this type of Philodendron and their insignificance plays second fiddle to the plant’s lush foliage.
Provide bright, indirect sunlight or diffused light from a north-facing window. Avoid prolonged, direct sunlight as it scorches the leaves. Rotate the plant every few months to ensure even exposure. Water your Green Congo plant every 7 to 10 days, or when the top 2 inches feels dry. The plant is sensitive to overwatering, but will need more moisture if it grows in warmer temperatures or low humidity.
Use a well-draining potting soil amended with perlite or orchid bark. Dilute a houseplant fertilizer to half strength and feed your plant once a month during spring and summer. If the plant receives lots of indirect light, which increases its growth rate, more fertilizer may be needed. Withhold feedings during the winter when the plant goes dormant.
Philodendron Bloody Mary Varieties
The young leaves of the Bloody Mary Philodendron start out burgundy but take on a reddish tone as they mature. The stems are also reddish and grow in a trailing pattern, making this plant a good choice for hanging baskets. A mature plant reaches between 10 to 12 feet (3 to 3.6 meters) long and spreads out roughly 9 inches (24 cm). The plant does not produce blooms.
While these Philodendron types tolerate low lighting, they prefer bright, indirect sunlight for optimal growth. If your plant becomes leggy, with excessively outstretched vines and leaves, it’s a sign of too little sun exposure. Direct sunlight will scorch leaves and is to be avoided. During the spring and summer, water your Philodendron two to three times per week or when the top inch is dry. Reduce waterings in the winter.
Philodendron Bloody Mary will grow both in a well-draining soil mixture, 100 percent sphagnum peat moss, or equal parts peat and perlite. This plant is a high feeder so fertilizer your plant once per month in the spring and summer with a houseplant fertilizer. In winter, reduce the feedings to once every two months.
Philodendron Brasil
These Philodendron varieties have a trailing growth pattern and suit hanging baskets. If grown in a regular pot, it will need a trellis or support pole to climb on. The plant can reach a length of 12 feet or longer if not pruned. Brasil’s heart-shaped leaves are dark green with lime green variegation. Blooming season is spring and summer with the plant producing green and white flowers. As a houseplant, the Brasil Philodendron does not often bloom but its trailing foliage makes up for it.
Place these types of Philodendron in bright, indirect light, which is best to maintain its beautiful leaf variegation. Avoid low lighting as it causes the variegation to revert and may result in a leggy plant. Direct sun is also not advised as it fades or burns the variegated portions of the leaves. Provide water when the top 2 to 3 inches of soil feels dry. Water until the moisture runs out the pot’s drainage holes and into the drip tray. Discard any excess water to avoid root rot.
Philodendron Brasil loves its loamy, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH level. Mix equal parts potting soil, perlite and orchid bark for a balanced and airy soil. Avoid adding organic matter as it becomes too compact for this plant and leads to root health issues. Feed your Brasil plant once a month, in spring and summer, with a balanced, houseplant fertilizer. Withhold fertilizer in fall and winter when the plant is dormant and growth slows.
Elephant Ear Philodendron Types
Elongated, heart-shaped foliage with a glossy exterior sets this plant apart from other Philodendron varieties. The large leaves reach a length of 22 inches (56 cm) long and 9 inches (23 cm) wide when mature. Foliage is green with an internal tint of pinkish-red. The plant may produce blooms, called spathes, but rarely when grown indoors.
Give your Elephant Ear Philodendron bright, indirect light for optimal growth. Moderate lighting is also acceptable but avoid scorched leaves by keeping the plant away from direct sunlight. Water, on average, once per week to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Follow this watering schedule from early spring to the end of fall. In winter, only water when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry.
The Elephant Ear plant prefers a well-draining, sandy soil mix. Combine two parts peat to one part perlite with some sand thrown in for added drainage. Feed the plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once per month. Do not fertilize in the winter when the plant is not in active growth.
Philodendron Florida Ghost
Florida Ghost is a climbing plant with longer stems than most types of Philodendrons. Each leaf will have a slightly unique shape with several lobes. The foliage starts out white, turning yellow-green, then dark green at maturity. Leaves are 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) long. Blooming is rare, but the purple flowers grow to 12 inches (30.4 cm) long. Provide this plant with a trellis to climb or grow it in a hanging basket.
Grow your Florida Ghost in a North-facing window with bright, indirect light. The plant prefers equal hours of sunlight and dark for optimal growth. Supplement lighting with a grow light, placed 5 inches (12 cm) away to increase light exposure if needed. On average, water your plant once per week during spring and summer. Never let the soil remain soggy and ensure the plant’s pot has ample drainage. From winter to early spring, water the plant no more than three times total.
Provide a well-draining soil mixture with some organic matter. Potting soil amended with equal parts peat and perlite works well. The plant will also grow solely in peat moss. Use a fertilizer high in nitrogen, diluted to half strength, to feed the plant’s large leaves and keep the plant healthy. Feed once per month or use a slow-release fertilizer.
Philodendron Bipennifolium
Also known as the Fiddle Leaf Philodendron, Bipennifolium features large leaves reaching between 18 inches to 3 feet (45.5 cm to 1 meter) long. The foliage is glossy with a leathery texture. The plant does produce blooms, but only after 12 to 15 years when it reaches maturity. The flowers are creamy-white and small, growing only a half inch (1.5 cm) long. The plant also produces round, green fruits, though they are not edible due to the plant’s toxicity.
Provide bright, indirect light for the best growth from a North or East-facing window. Avoid contact with direct sunlight as it scorches the leaves. This plant thrives on a consistent watering schedule that keeps the soil moist but not soggy. Allow the top 2 inches to dry out between waterings. Reduce the amount of water in the winter when growth is slowed.
These Philodendron types prefer a loamy soil with good drainage. Amend potting soil with organic material, like peat or compost, and some sand for added drainage. The plant prefers a soil pH of between 5 and 6. This Philodendron is a light feeder and requires only a slow-release fertilizer three times per year. Ensure you water the plant before fertilizing to avoid burning the plant’s roots.
Philodendron Martianum
This Philodendron is non-vining with thick petioles. The foliage features stiff, leathery leaves. The plant will grow to a height of just over 3 feet (1 meter) and makes an excellent floor plant when grown indoors. Blooms of this plant are shaped like a hooded cup with creamy-white tops that change to a deep red down the throat of the flower.
Provide filtered or indirect sunlight from an East or West-facing window. Supplement with a grow light if enough natural sunlight is not available, especially in the winter months. These types of Philodendron are more drought tolerant due to their thick petioles that store water. Water the plant every 7 to 10 days, ensuring the soil is evenly moist but not soggy as the plant is very susceptible to root rot. Allow the soil’s top two to three inches to dry out between waterings.
Grow your plant in a mixture of organic-based soil amended with perlite. Increase the soil’s drainage rate by adding in some fine gravel. Feed your Martianum with fish emulsion or a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer diluted to one-third strength. Feed once every 3 to 4 weeks from spring to fall, withholding fertilizer during the winter months.
The Hairy Philodendron
Prized for the red hairs that grow on its petioles, the Hairy Philodendron is a vining plant that grows 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters) indoors. The leaves are oak shaped, thick and leathery with multiple lobes. The green and shiny foliage grows up to 18 inches (45 cm) long. This plant blooms more readily than other Philodendron types and produces white and pink flowers with seeds.
Grow this Philodendron in medium to bright, indirect sunlight. If this type of sunlight isn’t available, filtered light through sheer drapes in a sunlit window or artificial lighting is acceptable. Avoid low lighting conditions, which will stunt the plant’s growth, or full, direct sun as it scorches the foliage. During spring and summer, water the plant once the top 2 inches has dried. Water until the moisture runs through the drainage holes of the pot, but don’t let the soil become soggy. In the winter, water the plant once every 11 or 12 days.
Avoid heavy soils for these types of Philodendrons. A nutrient rich, but well-draining soil is best. Mix equal parts sphagnum moss with coco coir and perlite, or potting soil with orchid bark. Keep the soil’s pH level between 5.1 and 6. This plant is a light feeder and requires feedings once every 4 to 6 weeks with a houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength. Feedings of a slow-release fertilizer three times a year is also acceptable. Withhold fertilizer in the winter.
Philodendron Silver Sword
The Silver Sword plant is a climber that is well suited to hanging baskets or in a pot with a trellis for support. The glossy leaves are silver-green and come to a point at the end, resembling arrows or swords. The thick stems grow between 6 inches and 3 feet (15 cm to 1 meter) long. The small, white blooms appear in spring and summer once the plant matures at 10 years old.
Sunlight from a North or East-facing window with bright, indirect sunlight is recommended. Too little light will cause the plant to become leggy, while direct sunlight will scorch the foliage. Water the plant two to three times per week in the spring and summer, when the top 2 inches of soil is dry. Ensure the plant’s pot has drainage holes so the soil does not become soggy. In winter, watering once every 7 to 10 days will suffice.
Mix potting soil with equal amounts of compost and perlite to create a well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Feed the plant once per month during the spring and summer with a balanced NPK 10-10-10 fertilizer for faster growth and lush foliage. Do not fertilize the plant during the dormant winter months.
Philodendron Black Cardinal
The Philodendron Black Cardinal is smaller than other Philodendron varieties, maturing at 3 feet (0.9 meters) tall and 1.5 feet (45.7 cm) wide. It takes, on average, 10 years for the plant to reach maturity. New leaves start out bronze or burgundy then darken to near black once mature. The foliage is oval shaped and each leaf grows to 1 foot (30.4 cm) long and 8 inches (20.3 cm) wide. Blooming indoors is rare and the flowers are insignificant compared to the stunning foliage.
Provide bright, indirect sunlight for best growth. Dappled or filtered light through sheer curtains is also sufficient. Avoid all-day, full sun but some morning sun coupled with afternoon shade also works. Follow the soak and dry watering method. Allow the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry between waterings. Water until the moisture runs through the drainage holes, then discard excess water collected in the drip tray. Follow this routine in spring and summer. Reduce the amount of water given in the fall and winter.
Grow these Philodendron types of plants in loose, well-draining soil. Use an African Violet soil with perlite or 100 percent sphagnum moss. Feed this plant once per month in the spring and summer with a balanced. Liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength. An NPK 10-10-10 fertilizer works well. During the dormant, fall and winter months cut feedings back to once every 8 weeks.
Philodendron Prince of Orange
The foliage goes through several stages of color change, making a stunning visual. Leaves start out as orange-bronze, turning a salmon, then golden, and finally turning light green and morphing into a dark green at maturity. It’s like fall in reverse. The Black Cardinal is self-heading with huddled petioles that stay hidden until the plant matures. The insignificant blooms are small, white, and appear in spring.
Provide bright, indirect sunlight or a half hour of direct sunlight in the morning or evening. Never expose your plant to all-day, full sun as it scorches the leaves. Let the top 1 to 2 inches of soil dry between waterings, then water deeply until the moisture runs through the drainage holes. Follow this routine from early spring to early fall. In the fall and winter, reduce the amount of water but don’t let the soil dry out completely.
A well-draining soil, high in organic matter is best for these types of Philodendron. Equal parts potting soil with peat or compost works well. Add orchid bark to the soil mix to improve drainage if needed. If you don’t want to make your own soil mix use a succulent soil with a little peat added. Soils with high organic material may not need fertilizer but if the plant’s growth is slow, supplement with an NPK 10-10-10 fertilizer once every two months. Fish emulsion fertilizer once every two weeks also works well.
Philodendron Pedatum
The Philodendron Pedatum grows to a height of 9 feet (2.7 meters) and 1 foot (30.4 cm) wide. The plant suits hanging baskets or pots with a trellis or moss pole added to climb on. The dark-green leaves start out oblong, then develop deep lobes to resemble the leaves of oak trees. Each leaf grows to an average length of 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20.3 cm), though some reach 14 inches (35.5 cm). The plant’s blooms, which are rare when indoors, are brownish-green.
Bright, indirect light for 6 to 8 hours per day is preferred for these Philodendron types. They will tolerate dappled light or partial shade as well. Avoid exposing the plant to direct sunlight for extended periods as it scorches the foliage. Practice the soak and dry watering method. Allow the top 1 inch of soil to dry between waterings, then water slowly until it runs through the pot’s drainage holes. Dispose of collected water in the tray to avoid root rot.
Grow your Pedatum in either a good potting soil amended with equal parts peat and perlite or only sphagnum moss. Keep the soil’s pH between 5.5 to 7.0 for optimal growth. During spring and summer, feed your plant with a balanced, liquid houseplant fertilizer once per month. Withhold feedings in the fall and winter dormant months.
Philodendron Hederaceum
These Philodendron varieties are climbers that grow between 3 to 13 feet (0.9 to 3.9 meters) long and 1 to 3 feet (30.4 cm to 0.9 meters) wide. These plants are excellent for hanging baskets or climbing a trellis in a large pot. The leaves begin with a bronze tinge, then turn dark green with maturity. Each leaf grows up to 12 inches (30.4 cm) long. If the plant blooms, the flowers are small and whitish-green.
Place your plant in a West or East-facing window for bright, indirect sunlight. These lighting conditions promote vigorous growth and larger leaves. You’ll know your plant is getting enough sun if your leaves are at least 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) long. Avoid direct sunlight as leaves will burn. Practice the soak and dry watering method by letting the top two inches of soil dry out between waterings. Water until the soil is moist but not soggy. Tepid water is best as cold water may shock the roots.
Use a soilless growing medium of equal parts peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite to grow your plant in. If your growing mixture does not include added fertilizer, feed the plant with a slow-release fertilizer or a liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength one to two times per month. Follow this routine during spring and summer, but withhold fertilizer in the fall and winter.
Philodendron Rugosum
The unique foliage on these Philodendron types are what makes this plant stand out. The foliage texture is thick, leathery, and hide-like. The leaves wrinkle where they meet the stem, resembling pig ears. The plant grows to a size of between 6 and 16 feet (1.8 to 4.8 meters) long, making it a great plant for hanging baskets or in a large pot with a trellis or moss pole for support.
For more growth and larger leaves, provide bright, indirect sunlight from an East-facing window. Setting your plant a little distance away, out of the reach of the sun’s rays, from a South-facing window also works well. Low lighting conditions will slow the growth. Water these types of Philodendrons when the top 2 inches of soil is dry. Water until the soil is thoroughly moist but never soggy. On average, once per week is good. But adjust as needed. Droopy leaves are a sign of either over or underwatering.
A well-draining, aroid soil with equal parts orchid bark, perlite, and peat-rich soil makes a great growing medium. Add a small amount of gravel to increase drainage if needed. This plant loves a soil pH that is slightly acidic. Feed your plant with an organic fertilizer or a liquid, houseplant fertilizer once per month. Feed after watering your plant to avoid burning the roots.
Philodendron types of houseplants are easy to care for and adaptable, making them a popular choice for indoor plant lovers. Each variety has unique and eye-catching foliage that makes them stand out in any home. With the vast species to choose from there’s a Philodendron for everyone.
Philodendron Types FAQ
Yes, all Philodendrons are considered toxic and should be kept away from pets and small children.
On average, repot your plant every two to three years or when the roots begin to grow out the pot’s drainage holes. This is a good time to refresh the soil and take cuttings for propagation.
Yes, remove dust to improve photosynthesis and leaf health by wiping leaves with a cloth dampened with clean water. Do not use commercial leaf shine products as they can damage leaves.
Wilted and yellow leaves are often a sign of root rot, caused by overwatering your plant. Reduce waterings and inspect the plant’s roots for any that are dark and mushy. Use sharp and sterile shears to trim any away from the main root ball. Extensive rot may not be reversible.
Prune any yellow or dead leaves and stems to redirect the plant’s energy to healthy growth. For vining varieties, prune to control length if desired.
