Consulta Plantas

Care of the indoor plant Philodendron scandens or Heartleaf philodendron

The genus Philodendron, family of the Araceae, includes 120 species native to Central America, Brazil, Guyana and Colombia. Some species are: Philodendron scandens, Philodendron hastatum, Philodendron selloum, Philodendron speciosum, Philodendron Birkin, Philodendron giganteum, Philodendron verrucosum, Philodendron andreanum, Philodendron giganteum, Philodendron sanguineum, Philodendron imbe.

Common names: Heartleaf philodendron, Sweetheart Plant. This species is native to Central America and the Caribbean.

They are tropical climbing plants that reach 6 meters (29.68 feet) in height. They have heart-shaped leaves, 10 cm (3.93") long, bright green, and short petioles. Along the stem they produce adventitious roots.

They are used as indoor plants in even heated rooms. They can hang or climb on a mossy stake; in the latter case the leaves will be larger.

Philodendron scandens need a semi-shade exposure protected from drafts and direct sunlight. The temperature should not be lower than 18 ºC (64.4 ºF); They resist temperatures above 30 ºC (86 ºF).

The soil must be well drained, fertile and light; for example a mixture of garden substrate, coarse sand and heather soil.

Water (with water without lime) in winter, autumn and spring enough so that the substrate is slightly damp. In summer, water more often and spray the leaves with warm water from time to time.

Prune the tips of the branches to cause new stems to appear with more leaves.

Fertilize every 20 days during spring and summer with mineral fertilizer.

They are propagated from stem cuttings that have an axillary leaf.

Images of the indoor plant Philodendron scandens or Heartleaf philodendron