Philodendron Heart-Leaf

Heart-leaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum), commonly known as the sweetheart plant, is an evergreen foliage plant native to tropical regions of South and Central America and the West Indies. It is a popular houseplant, offering year-round beauty and easy care. The leaves are dark green but when they first emerge they're often bronze-colored, giving this plant plenty of visual interest. On rare occasions, a mature plant may produce small greenish-white flowers.

This plant's tendency to grow very long stems (up to 13 feet) makes it one of the few "climbing" house plants. Its Greek name means "tree-loving climber" and in its native tropical habitats, it is often found climbing tree trunks. You can train this plant to climb a trellis or column using soft plant ties or floral tape to secure it, or hang the plant from a ceiling hook and let it trail. If the leaves become dusty, gently wipe them with a damp soft cloth.

Light: This plant does best in bright, indirect light, so choose an indoor location that does not receive direct sunlight. You'll know it's receiving enough light if growth remains vigorous and the leaves are between two to four inches long. Too much direct sunlight will scorch its leaves.

Watering: These plants generally like a moderate amount of soil moisture. Water whenever the top inch of soil has dried out. Both overwatering and underwatering can cause the leaves to droop, so gauge when it’s time to water by the soil dryness and not necessarily the leaves. Philodendrons don’t do well sitting in soggy soil, as this can lead to root rot. The non-climbing varieties tend to have a little more drought tolerance than the vining species. Reduce your water for indoor plants and during the winter.