Philodendron Species are some of the fastest and easiest growing houseplants you can find for your home. They are known for their gorgeous, glossy leaves that make your home feel like it has a touch of the jungle.
Philodendrons, which are part of the Araceae family, typically love the warm tropical regions. However, many varieties of the plant can work in both as outdoor plants as well as indoor plants.
Many love this plant because of its size, texture, colors, leaf shape, and growth habits.
Over 450 known species of Philodendron plants are native to South America, along with a bunch of hybrids and cultivars. Some of the key features of the Philodendron genus include their large leaves and their long aerial roots.
Philodendron plants are known for purifying the air of pollutants. The more of these plants that you own they more fresh oxygen you’ll have!
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They’re also super easy to propagate. In most cases all you need to do is cut of a leaf below a node (the brown bump on a stem) and put it in water. You should start to see new roots within a couple weeks!
If you’re interested in learning more about Philodendrons, check out our guide below to learn more about this incredible species.
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Philodendron Care Tips
As a general rule of thumb, these plants are very easy to care for. You need to provide three essential things for your Philodendron plant, including fertilizer, water, and sunlight.
Fertilizer
Philodendron houseplants should be given a balanced liquid fertilizer that contains some type of macronutrient. If your plant is growing slowly, there’s a good chance it’s not getting enough fertilizer.
New fertilizer should be added every month in spring and every eight weeks in the fall and wintertime. Take note though, the upright versions of Philodendron are slow growers so don’t give them too much fertilize.
Water
In most cases, the top inch of soil of your plant needs to dry out between watering. Insert your finger into the soil to check if the moisture level is appropriate.
If it’s wet, don’t water it. If it’s dry it likely needs a drink.
If the plant is dropping, it may not be getting enough water, or you may be overdoing it. Fixing the amount of water will help your plant bounce back to life.
Sunlight
Most Philodendrons need indirect, bright sunlight. Find a place where there is natural light, but your plant won’t touch the sunshine. This could be through a sheer curtain or just out of reach of the direct sun.
If your plant’s leaves are constantly turning yellow, or losing it’s bright color, it may be getting too much light.
Upright Philodendrons Vs Climbing Philodendrons
There are two different varieties of Philodendron plants – ones that grow upright and ones that hang or climb.
The most common type of Philodendron is the climbing type. These typically have heart shaped leaves and a deep green color. They look amazing in hanging baskets or trained to wrap around your door frames, windows or up poles.
Some types of hanging or climbing plants in the Philodendron family are the Philodendron Pink Princess and the Blushing Philodendron.
Upright Philodendron types have much larger, split leaves. They typically grow much slower than climbing Philodendron but can grow to be very large.
Some types of upright plants in the Philodendron family are Philodendron Xanadu and the Black Gold Philodendron.
Top 18 Philodendron Species
Here are some different types of philodendron including common names (first) and their scientific or botanical name (in parenthesis). In some cases there is just one name.
1. Philodendron Xanadu (Philodendron bipinnatifidum)
Image via Tropical Plants FL (You can also buy this one there too!)
The plant grows wider than it will be tall and is the perfect example of an upright variety. Each of its leaves has 15 to 20 lobes per leaf and can grow up to 3 feet and spread outwards up to 6 feet when growing outdoors.
Xanadu is perfect for warm climates. However, if it’s used as an indoor plant, it likes indirect, bright light.
2. Lacy Tree Philodendron (Philodendron selloum)
Image via Tropical Plants FL (You can also buy this one there too!)
The lacy tree looks like the Xanadu plant because they’re from the same species. They look different, however, with the Lacy tree producing huge, hanging leaves. The plant will grow to about 6 feet wide and 4 feet tall.
They like bright, indirect light and moist water. These plants can also produce aerial roots that help soak up nutrients and water
3. Philodendron Pink Princess (Philodendron Erubescens)
Image via Plant Me Please (Where you can also purchase it)
This large, gorgeous indoor plant features pink and green leaves. The standout feature of this plant is that the leaves are shaped like a heart. The reddish colors of this plant will appear on the bottom of the leaves.
It is fast growing and can be easily trimmed for a more bushy appearance rather than a viney look. The green and pink variegated leaves will create quite the accent to any home!
This is the most high maintenance of Philodendron plants. It doesn’t like the cold and needs bright indirect light. Direct light can fade the beautiful pink color.
*Find philodendron Erubescens care here.
4. Naugahyde Philodendron (Rugosum Philodendron)
Image via Etsy – We’re Rooting For You (where you can purchase)
This rare plant is native to Ecuador. This plant is also known as a pigskin plant! It gets that name because of the leathery looking leaves that grow in super thick. This type of plant has larger leaves.
Many of the leaves have patterns on them however not all of them do. And the shininess and leathery look of the plant makes it look like a fake houseplant.
5. Philodendron Moonlight
Image via Eureka Farms LLC (where you can also purchase)
Moonlight is a hybrid plant that can brighten up any room with its lime-green leaves (similar to a neon pothos!). As the plant grows, the leaves will grow into a bright yellow color before darkening as they age.
If you love tropical plants, this is a very popular shrub-like version. This plant would do well in front of a window that did not get any direct sunlight. In the right conditions this plant does flower occasionally with white spadix.
6. Red Emerald (Philodendron erubescens)
Image via Etsy – Snake River Garden (where you can buy)
Related to the species known as the “Pink Princess” plant, this plant has dark green leaves in the shape of a heart or arrowhead. The blushing term refers to the purple-reddish underside of the large leaves. They’re known for being a collector’s plant.
These plants do well as climbing plants or in a hanging basket. They love a good amount of warmth and humidity (think your bathroom!) but they don’t need a ton of light.
7. Philodendron ‘Florida Ghost’ (Philodendron pedatum)
Image via Gabriel Mercantile (where you can buy this exact plant!)
The Florida Ghost plant is known for its ability to shift colors and form as it grows. When it’s young, it will look like it’s growing arms which will eventually turn into lobes.
The leaves of this plant start out as white giving it it’s nickname of “Florida ghost”. As they get older the leaves change into the yellow-green color and as they mature even more, the colors will become dark green!
This plant helps purify the air and is a viny variety. It’s easy to grow and a great plant for any home!
8. Philodendron Black Cardinal
Image via Eureka Farms (where you can purchase it)
The Black Cardinal Philodendron is a beautiful dark leaf plant. It has red stems and the leaves are a deep, almost black color. New foliage will look like a pink or light orange colored leaf but will darken as time goes on.
This plant neither stems nor vines making it self-heading or a basal plant. That means the leaves come from the bottom of the plant at ground level.
9. Philodendron Gloriosum
Image via Etsy – The Green Escape (where you can purchase)
This plant originates from Colombia and is well-adorned because of its sizeable heart-shaped leaves and vein structure. It has green velvety leaves with white veins going through the leaves. This creates a stunning look to the leaves!
The foliage can grow to three feet wide but will grow smaller if raised indoors. They are very slow growers and can take over a month to see any new growth.
10. Black Gold Philodendron (Philodendron Melanochrysum)
image via Etsy – The Garden Gals (where you can purchase)
This plant is well regarded for its dark colors, with foliage almost black showing off a bright yellow vein. The vein creates a beautiful pattern on the dark leaves.
When it’s growing, you’ll notice it has red, oval leaves, but these will darken as it matures. You’ll likely need a stake on this plant to help it grow upright.
It can reach up to four feet or more as an adult and will need more sunlight than the average Philodendron.
11. Philodendron Grazielae
image via Etsy (where you can purchase)
This plant is easy to maintain but will not do well in the cold weather and takes a while to grow. Its leaves are a chunky green gloss color and produces average-sized foliage. The main highlight of this plant is the round shape of its leaves.
This plant is another example of the climbing variety and has medium size leaves. You can either put them in a hanging pot or use a stake to encourage them to climb. They’re super easy to care for!
12. Blotched Philodendron (Philodendron Mamei)
Image via Etsy – Aroid Life Co (where you can purchase)
This silver leaf-colored plant is native to Ecuador. It’s highly attractive and low-growing and part of the climbing variety. It will keep its gray color throughout its life giving it the nickname “Silver Cloud”.
The heart-shaped colored leaves and glossy foliage make it a neat, attractive plant to keep in your home. This is a tropical plant that can climb up trees or grow as ground cover.
Be sure to not overwater this plant as it is susceptible to root rot. Misting them is a great way to give them a more humid environment and help them stay clean.
13. Toothed Philodendron (Philodendron Lacerum)
Images via Etsy – Tropic Plant Boutique (also can purchase there)
The leaves of this plant are green and gray, with their edges providing a fringed look. The lobed leaves are in the shape of giant elephant ears.
The undersides of the plant leaves are darker. These plants need a lot of space to grow and a copious amount of sunlight.
Using stakes will encourage them to grow upwards like you would with a monstera. They’re typically easy to grow plants that add a great vibe to any room.
14. Philodendron Painted Lady
Image via Etsy – Cute Plant Club (also where you can buy it)
This large leaf plant is a hybrid with bright yellow colors popping through. New leaves will grow in green but will darken as they mature.
The mature leaves can grow to over a foot if they are given proper space. This plant requires less water, and prefers to be drier.
These plants are climbers and do best with the support of a pole or stake. The can grow up to 2 to 5 feet tall and can spread up to 16 inches. They love high humidity and can stand to be misted every so often.
15. Philodendron Atabapoense
Image of Etsy – Wuhoo Tropicals
This is a climber plant that features sword-shaped thin leaves that have purple undersides and a leathery texture. It can grow to be over two feet in length.
Philodendron Atabapoense is a rare type of philodendron. Like most others of this species, it prefers medium, indirect sun – never full sun. These will grow best when staked up to encourage them to grow to their heighest potential.
16. Green Heart Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Image via Amazon (where you can also purchase!)
One of the most common philodendron varieties is the Green Heartleaf Philodendron, also known as philodendron scandens. It’s a climbing plant that looks great in hanging pots. They love high humidity and make great bathroom plants.
This is known as one of the easiest houseplants making a great plant for beginners! They can grow up to 10 feet long and can tolerate low light environments.
17. Philodendron prince of orange (philodendron bipennifolium)
Image via Etsy – Emerald Goddess Garden
As the name says, this type of Philodendron has beautiful vivid orange leaves as new growth. As they mature the color changes from orange to copper and ends up into darker or paler shades green.
This is another version of self-heading plants, like the Black Cardinal, and can grow up to 24” tall. Be sure to rotate your plant every time you water it since it likes to reach for the light. This will keep it from tilting towards one side!
18. Philodendron Brasil (Philodendron Hederaceum ‘Brasil’)
Image via Etsy – The Rooted Mitten (where you can purchase it too)
If you like variegated leaves that are a mix of lighter and darker green colors, the Philodendron Brasil is for you!
The leaves are heart shaped and have many plants have a pink stem. The combination of variegated leaves and the colorful stem make this plant a looker!
This plant grows fast and does best in bright, indirect light. Keep it away from direct sun or you could lose the beautiful, variegated look of the leaves.
Get all the Philodendron Brasil care tips you need here!
FAQ on Philodendron
One of the rarest Philodendron is the Philodendron Plowmanii. It has giant bicolored heart shaped leaves that are very similar to the Mamei but without any type of silver variegation.
Another rare but extremely stunning Philodendron is the White Knight plant. It’s slow growing but has stunning red stems with variegated leaves in bright white and shades of green.
The Philodendron maximum has the largest leaf in the world, with the leaves ranging from 67cm long to 165cm in length.
No, monstera deliciosa is not a philodendron. While it is part of the larger arum family, which philodendrons are also a part of, they are not directly related.
The Variegated Philodendron Minima is the most expensive Philodendron, with one plant being sold for $8,150.
As you can see, there are so many more Philodendron species out there, these are just a few of our favorites.
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Here’s other philodendron plants to check out!