How to Plant, Grow, And Care for Heartleaf Philodendron

We gardeners are a very romantic group. You’ll find this quite evident when you examine certain botanical names, like the philodendron for example.

Its name literally means ‘love tree’ in Greek. And that goes double for the most common variety of that group, the heartleaf philodendron or sweetheart plant. I sometimes imagine my own heart to be shaped like a large, glossy green leaf-like those of the heartleaf. I’ll be getting that checked by a doctor soon.

If you give this philodendron proper care and attention, you can train this vigorous vine to climb or hang picturesquely in your home, like Rapunzel letting down her hair for her prince. Read on and be prepared to fall in love with it forever.​

What is Heartleaf Philodendron?

There are approximately 489 species of philodendrons accepted by the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families. This evergreen climbing vine thrives in warm, humid conditions, and it can be cultivated as a trailing variety in hanging baskets or trained to climb up a support. Philodendron hederaceum is also low-maintenance, making it an excellent choice for beginner gardeners.

Native Area

Native to the Caribbean (how romantic is that!) and Central America, this Philodendron hederaceum is so addicted to warmth that most of the 489 species of these tropicals must be grown as houseplants, just like another favorite: pothos.

Characteristics

Heartleaf philodendrons are characterized by lush, heart-shaped leaves that vary in size and color depending on the variety, ranging from deep green to shades of bronze or variegated patterns. This fast-growing houseplant is a climbing or trailing species, using aerial roots to attach to surfaces like moss poles or trellises.

While heartleafs in the Philodendron genus may long for your close proximity as indoor varieties to keep them growing well, make sure you keep them out of reach of your small children and pets. While they can hardly be used as a Romeo and Juliet-style exit, the leaves do contain calcium oxalate, which can cause issues like inflammation and itching.

If ingested, it has been known to cause slurring, nausea, and vomiting (just how I felt the first time I fell in love, now that I think about it.) To be on the safe side, seek immediate medical attention if anyone tries to eat one of these houseplants.​

Planting

Plant heartleaf philodendrons in a pot with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. Use a rich, airy potting mix, ideally one containing peat moss, perlite, or orchid bark, to provide the right balance of moisture retention and drainage.

Set the philodendron so its roots are fully covered by soil, leaving the base of the stem above the soil line. Water the plant thoroughly after planting, allowing excess water to drain out, and maintain a consistent watering schedule to keep the soil lightly moist.

If you’re growing it as a climber, provide a moss pole or trellis for support.

How to Grow

Would that all romantic relationships were as easy to care for as the heartleaf philodendron. All it needs is a little light, a little water, and a little love and it will grow and thrive as it basks in your affection. Here are the specifics for this particular vine.

Light

While the heartleaf prefers indirect sunlight, it will do just fine in almost any lighting condition. Even areas of low light can be fine, though the leaves will spread more, and the colors will be less vibrant or glossy.

Water

Hailing from the Caribbean as it does, this tropical species likes moist environments best. In the summertime, keep the soil moist but not soggy. In the wintertime, allow the top half-inch of soil to dry between waterings. You can spritz the heartleaf vine with water and wipe them down with a cloth to remove dust.

The heartleaf philodendron won’t make you guess if you’re watering correctly, nor will it act melodramatically if you aren’t. Yellow leaves mean you’re showering too much liquid attention, brown leaves say, “Give me more!” This houseplant doesn’t need misting unless the area has less than 40% humidity.

Soil

Any quality potting soil will do for your heartleaf philodendron as long as it is well-draining. Mix perlite, sterilized garden loam, or coarse sand with half the amount of peat moss for your own soil. You want a soil that retains some moisture but drains very well.

You can also grow your heartleaf on a moss pole. Affix it to the pole soft ties or gardener’s tape, training it and attaching aerial roots as needed. Be gentle in this process. If you’re growing your philodendron as hanging vines, ensure there is room above the planter for the pole.

Temperature

The temperatures that exist inside your home are ideal for this houseplant. If you grow the it outdoors, keep it in daytime temperatures of 75 to 85°F (24-29°C), and nighttime temperatures of 65 to 75°F (18-24°C). Below 60°F (16°C) it will suffer damage. High heat can singe its leaves.

Fertilizer

No fancy restaurants needed to court the beauty that is Philodendron hederaceum as it has very simple, easy-to-please tastes. A standard houseplant fertilizer of good quality will work. Just follow the directions of the type you choose and leave off the feedings during fall and winter. You can dilute your fertilizer of choice to half-strength so you don’t overwhelm it.

Maintenance

If your darling heartleaf is outgrowing its pot, it may be time to move to a slightly larger one (no more than two inches larger than the original). You might need an extra pair of hands if your heartleaf has been growing long, trailing vines, or crawling up the wall!

Make sure to water it thoroughly the day before you mean to repot it. This reduces stress and makes the transition easier. Though this philodendron usually doesn’t require much pruning, now is a good time to prune any stunted growths, trim to desired lengths, and check the root ball for rot. Gently work the roots apart to stimulate new growth.​

After transferring to the new residence, saturate the soil until the water freely exits the bottom of the pot. I hope you remember to use well-draining soil so it doesn’t compact too much with each watering.​

Propagation

You can propagate the heartleaf in two ways. One method is cutting a vine below a leaf nodule and placing the stem in water. This is called rooting stem cuttings. When roots appear, you can move the cutting to the soil. The process may take anywhere from a week to a few weeks.

Another method is to divide the root clump. To increase the chance of survival, check that each section has good, healthy roots before planting. Then, either pull apart the sections or cut them with a sanitized garden knife. Place them in pots about the same size as the original and water them lightly.

Common Problems

One of the nicest things about this heartleaf is that there are very few problems associated with it.

Growing Problems

The color of the leaves will tell you what to change about your watering habits. Floppy brown leaves indicate too much water has been given. Crispy leaves indicate it needs more. The temperature in the room can affect it as well. Droopy houseplants may need more light or heat. Crispy ones need less light or heat.

Pests

Adequate home conditions will keep aphids, mealybugs, scale, and spider mites at bay. However, if you find them, a mist of neem oil diluted in water will treat them. Follow up by wiping the leaves down with a damp rag about a week after a neem treatment and applying more if any of these pests are still there. They will continue to feed if you don’t remove them.

Diseases

Well-draining soil will prevent root rot, mold, and a host of leaf spot diseases. However, if you see any signs of leaf spot, remove the damaged foliage and monitor the condition. There isn’t a cure for most leaf spot diseases, and pruning for airflow will help prevent more intense infections.

Root rot should be dealt with quickly to prevent its spread. If you notice brown and mushy leaf bases, remove the heartleaf from its pot, remove the brown parts of the root system, and repot it in fresh media. Don’t water at first, and wait about a week before applying irrigation.

Frequently Asked Questions