Heartleaf philodendron types

Heartleaf philodendron types

1. 01

   Green heartleaf philodendron

   The plain green form has heart-shaped leaves and trails or climbs. NC State says it prefers medium light, tolerates low light and can survive long periods in very low light, which makes it the type for a dim room.

   Philodendron hederaceum is the accepted species name. A retail ‘micans’ label still needs checking against the plant.

2. 02

   Philodendron Brasil

   Brasil has a variegated center stripe of yellow to light green with dark green borders (NC State). That stripe is the quickest way to recognize it. NC State also notes that its variegation is unstable, so all-green shoots are common.

   Cut all-green shoots back to a leaf with a stripe, as the RHS advises for reverted shoots. The Philodendron Brasil care guide covers it in full.

3. 03

   Philodendron Rio

   Rio has silver and cream variegation in the center of the leaf with dark green edges (NC State). Brasil’s center is yellow to light green, Rio’s is silver and cream.

4. 04

   Cream Splash and Gabby

   Cream Splash has a variegated center of light green and cream with dark green borders (NC State). Gabby has light green and cream leaves that may turn entirely cream. Both need bright, indirect light to keep their color.

5. 05

   Silver Stripe

   Silver Stripe has variegated cream to light green and dark green leaves with a silver stripe (NC State).

6. 06

   Lemon Lime

   Lemon Lime has bright yellow to chartreuse leaves with no stripe or pattern (NC State). It is easy to mix up with neon pothos, which is also solid chartreuse. Check the label.

7. 07

   Care differences between the types

   All types share one routine. Water when the top 3 cm (1 in) of mix is dry, let the pot drain and give it a stake or let it trail.

   Light is what changes. The green form copes with low light, but in low light variegated types grow leggier with smaller leaves and lose their pattern. The RHS says a permanent loss of variegation usually means too little light, so give Brasil, Rio, Cream Splash and Silver Stripe a brighter spot, out of direct midday sun.

   Every type is toxic to cats and dogs, because the leaves contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals.

Common questions