If you’re having black thumb problems with your current houseplant, it’s time to switch to the Heart Leaf Philodendron.
Creating your own urban jungle is a cinch when you have these Philodendrons around.
The Heart Leaf is one of the easiest plants to maintain and is virtually unkillable. It’s perfect for first-timers, busy folks, and anyone who finds plant care a challenge.
Can’t wait to get started? Our quick guide has everything you need to make your Heart Leaf Philodendron gardening a success.
Heart Leaf Philodendron description
Philodendron hederaceum, also known as the Heart Leaf Philodendron, is one of the most common Philodendron varieties.
This gardening sweetheart is ever-popular among plant owners for its low-maintenance nature.
You’ll be able to identify a Heart Leaf Philodendron by its trademark heart-shaped dark green leaves, climbing habit, and prolific growth.
Unlike the Philodendron White Princess which is a self-heading plant, the Heart Leaf is a climbing variety.
It is more similar to the White Knight and White Wizard varieties in their trailing habit.
As with its cultivar the Philodendron Brasil, the Heart Leaf has aerial and subterranean roots. This makes the Heart Leaf Philodendron extremely easy to propagate and grow.
With proper care, it won’t be long before the Heart Leaf reaches up to 1.2-1.8m in height.
Heart Leaf Philodendron care
There are many ways to brighten up your indoor space with the Heart Leaf Philodendron. Spruce up your desk with a potted version, or place one in a hanging planter and see the leaves trail downward gracefully.
You can also plant your Heart Leaf Philodendron outdoors, attached to a trellis or arbor. The good news is that it will thrive in all of these settings!
To care for your Heart Leaf Philodendron, give it bright, indirect sunlight, a humid environment, and moist, well-draining soil.
This low-maintenance houseplant thrives in the 240-270C temperature range, but doesn’t do well in extremely cold weather — anything lower than 130C can be dangerous for your plant.
Keep your Philodendron bushy-looking by fertilising it monthly during spring and summer and pruning back stems as needed.
Light requirements
Philodendrons are fans of bright, indirect light, and the Heart Leaf is no exception. For large, vivid green leaves that are full of life, place your plant near a window with adequate sunlight.
The fun thing about growing Heart Leaf Philodendrons is that they can survive in low-light conditions. They won’t grow as fast, though, and will look leggy and produce smaller leaves.
Tip: Bright, indirect sunlight is key to healthy-looking Philodendron foliage! Even if it’s tempting, avoid positioning your plants under direct sunlight. The heat from the sun’s rays can burn the leaves of your Heart Leaf and dehydrate your plant quickly.
Soil
For your Heart Leaf to grow healthy and free from root rot, plant your Philodendron in moist, well-draining soil.
A commercial potting soil made up of a mixture of coconut coir, peat moss, pine bark, and perlite is suitable for your plant.
This planting mix drains off the water quickly while retaining just enough liquid to hydrate your Philodendron.
Watering
The golden rule when watering your Heart Leaf Philodendron is this: never overwater. Soggy soil can lead to root rot and cause your plant’s leaves to turn yellow.
During winter, avoid overwatering by letting the top part of the soil dry out completely before the next watering.
Overwatering is a no-no for your indoor plants, but underwatering also has a negative effect on your Philodendron.
Brown leaves are a sign that your plants are dehydrated and in need of watering.
When watering, tepid water such as rainwater is the best liquid to use for your Philodendron (and you’re doing your part to help the planet in the process).
Tip: If rainwater is hard to come by in your area, tap water that has been allowed to sit for a couple of days works just as well. This removes chlorine from the water, leaving only the liquid your plant needs.
Temperature
Just like humans, this sweetheart of a plant loves the cosy indoors. The Heart Leaf isn’t one for cold drafts and extremely low temperatures.
Instead, it’s at its best when living in a temperature range of 24-27C. During the nighttime, be sure to keep the temperature higher than 13C.
Humidity
Similar to other Philodendron varieties, the Heart Leaf Philodendron thrives when the environment is moderately to highly humid.
When positioned in a place where the humidity is high, the Heart Leaf tends to produce larger, fuller-looking leaves.
During the winter months when the air can get a bit dry, transfer your Heart Leaf to the bathroom — the humidity in this area is high compared to other rooms in the house.
You can also place your plant on a tray with pebbles and water to improve the humidity in the surrounding area.
Misting the leaves of your Philodendron is another way to increase moisture in your plant’s environment.
TIp: The quickest solution to maximising humidity indoors for your Heart Leaf? Place it beside other plants! This creates a humid micro-environment and mimics the conditions in a rainforest, your Philodendron’s natural habitat.
Fertilising
Feed your Philodendron monthly during its growth season with fertiliser. Gardening specialists recommend using a water-soluble or liquid fertiliser.
Make sure to read and follow the instructions in the package before applying the fertiliser onto your plant.
Pruning
For a bushy-looking Heart Leaf, prune back the stems. This encourages new growth to sprout from the nodes.
Don’t forget to cut off dead or brown leaves from your plant while you’re at it — these parts consume your Heart Leaf’s energy and prevent your plant from growing to its fullest potential.
Potting
You’ll know it’s time to re-pot when you start to see your Heart Leaf growing out of its container.
Transfer your plant to another pot that’s one size bigger than your current pot.
Tip: Give your Heart Leaf proper prep time before transplanting it to its new residence. Shower your plant with some TLC by watering it before removing it from its pot.
This is a good time to prune back old or dead plant parts and to inspect for root rot as well. As soon as you have soothed your Heart Leaf, you’re ready to move it into its new home.
Heart Leaf Philodendron propagation
Propagating a Heart Leaf Philodendron is simple and easy. The quickest way is to cut off a stem from the original plant and place it in water.
Allow the roots to grow out before transferring the cutting to a planting site.
Common Heart Leaf Philodendron problems
Keeping your Heart Leaf well-nourished and healthy is still the best protection against pesky insects.
There are times, however, when aphids and mealybugs still find their way to your Philodendron no matter how much care you put into growing your houseplant.
Luckily, treating a pest infestation on your Heart Leaf can be done at home.
Wipe off the pests from the leaves with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. This gardening trick is quick, non-toxic, and will eradicate the bugs effectively.
Tip: For the best possible care, we recommend getting professional gardening services for your indoor — and outdoor — plants.
These guys are experts at plant maintenance. You won’t have to worry about missing feeding and watering schedules, or knowing when to repot your plants.
Professional gardeners will take care of those issues for you while you sit back and relax.
