Heart-Leaf Philodendron Totem (Philodendron hederaceum)

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Plant Details

Category: Houseplants
Light: Medium Light
Bloom Season:
Height: 6-36" / 
15-91cm
Space: 12-18" / 
30-46cm
Zones: 11, 12
Lowest Temp: 50° to 80°F / 
10° to 27°C
Colors: Grown for foliage

Basic Care

Keep soil evenly moist. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during active growth. Dust or wipe off leaves for best display.

Water

Keep soil evenly moist.

Soil

All-purpose mix.

Feed

Once every month during growing season.

detailed care guide →
climbing plants

Climbing

Fast Growth

Ornamental Foliage

Containers

Features

Glossy, heart-shaped leaves on vining stems make a beautiful display climbing up a fiber totem. Heart-leaf philodendron is tolerant of light levels from low to high, it can be grown in most any indoor location with great success. Moist soil and a bit of feed every two months will keep the foliage lush and healthy.

Note: in reference materials the heart-leaf philodendron plant may be found identified by a number of Philodendron species names that includes: P. hederaceum, P. scandens, P. scandens oxycardium, P. oxycardium, P. cordatum, and P. oxycardium cordatum. There is ongoing discussion among experts about which is most correct.

Caution: Philodendron plants contain a compound called calcium oxalate that can be toxic to cats, dogs, and people. Calcium oxalate crystals irritate the mouth and stomach if ingested, leading to symptoms such as swelling, pain, and digestive problems.

Uses

Perfect for all kinds of containers. Wonderful for growing on a moss or coir support pole, in a hanging baskets, or in a pot perched where the stems can trail along shelves or drape over corners.

Heart-Leaf Philodendron Totem (Philodendron hederaceum) Care Guide

Start with a good quality, commercial potting soil. These are usually lighter in weight than topsoil, sterile and pest-free. Many are available with a mild starter fertilizer in the mix.

Select a container with a drainage hole or be prepared to drill holes for drainage if there are none.

Prepare the container by filling with potting soil up to 2” (5cm) from the rim of the planter. Remove the plant from its pot.

Make a small hole in the soil slightly larger than the root ball either by hand or using a trowel. Insert the plant into the hole and press soil firmly around the roots and just covering the root ball. When all the plants are potted, water thoroughly to settle the soil and give plants a good start. Place plant in a reliably sunny location.

Repot every 2 years in the same container or in a container slightly larger than the diameter of the roots.

Prefers moist but well-drained soil. Check the soil moisture with your finger. If the top 2-4” (5-10cm) of soil is dry, or plants are wilted, it is time to water.

Apply water at the soil level if possible to avoid wetting the foliage. Water the entire soil area until water runs out the base of the pot. This indicates that the soil is thoroughly wet.

Most container plants can be pruned freely to maintain the desired size and shape. Keeping the foliage trimmed also keeps the plants looking neat and tidy, encourages the plant to develop more side-shoots and flowers, and reduces the demand for the plant to develop a larger root system. This is important since the roots are in a confined space.

Fertilizers are available in many forms: granulated, slow-release, liquid feeds, organic or synthetic. Determine which application method is best for the situation and select a product with a nutritional balance designed for foliage plants.

Too much fertilizer can damage plants so it’s important to follow the package directions to determine how much, and how often, to feed plants.

Slow-release fertilizers are an especially good, care-free choice for container plants. A single application can often provide plants with the proper level of nutrition all season long.

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