Philodendron hederaceum

Mexico through Central America, the Caribbean, and tropical South America

First described by Schott.

Glossy, heart-shaped leaves 7–15 cm long on slender trailing or climbing stems; new growth often bronze-tinted.

Vigorous trailing/climbing vine with aerial roots; tolerates low light but grows best in bright indirect light.

Genus from Greek 'philo' (love) + 'dendron' (tree), referring to many species' habit of climbing trees. Epithet 'hederaceum' means 'ivy-like', for its climbing, trailing habit.

Philodendron hederaceum (syn. P. scandens) is the classic Heartleaf Philodendron, described by Schott and native from Mexico through Central America, the Caribbean and tropical South America. It is one of the most forgiving and widely grown houseplants. The velvet-leaved form long sold as 'Micans' is var. hederaceum. It is distinguished from superficially similar pothos (Epipremnum aureum) by its conspicuous papery stipules and non-grooved petioles.

One of the easiest houseplants: tolerates low to bright indirect light (brighter light gives fuller growth), and prefers the top 2–3 cm of soil to dry between waterings. Pinch back regularly to keep it bushy, and grow it trailing from a shelf or climbing a moss pole for larger leaves.

• Root rot from overwatering; leggy growth and small leaves in low light; brown leaf tips from very dry air or tap-water minerals; occasional spider mites or mealybugs.

• The Heartleaf Philodendron is one of the most popular and beginner-friendly houseplants in the world.
• It is often confused with pothos (Epipremnum aureum) but has thinner, more matte heart-shaped leaves and papery stipules.
• It can survive in surprisingly low light, which is why it thrives in offices and dim rooms.