Selling Size: well-rooted plant | 2.5" Pot Included
Heartleaf Philodendron Care
How to care for a Heartleaf Philodendron (summary):
In general heartleaf philodendrons are one of the easiest to care for tropical houseplants, they like medium levels of indirect sunlight, but are not fussy and will tolerate low light. They like a little humidity if you can, and you should water them when they dry out (about once a week in the warmer months). They are also very easy to propagate.
Heartleaf Philodendron Care Summary
Light needs:
Can adapt to low and bright areas of your home.
Watering needs:
Let the soil dry out before watering again.
Fertilizer:
Use a high nitrogen content feed once a month in summer.
Soil:
A well draining peat-based compost.
Humidity:
Mist them when watering.
Temperature:
13ºC – 30ºC (55°F – 86°F).
Where to buy:
Try our list of Rare Plant Shops.
Other names:
Sweetheart plant, philodendron scandens.
Common issues:
Over and under watering.
Heartleaf Philodendron Care Introduction
Welcome to our heartleaf philodendron care guide. The heartleaf philodendron aka philodendron scandens is a very popular vine-like plant, originally from The Caribbean and Central America. It is very similar and often confused with pothos, it is also a very easy to grow plant that will do well in most households. They can take various forms, such as a hanging vine plan, they also love to grow up trellises and be trained, or be clipped and kept bushy.
Light Needs
Heartleaf philodendrons can survive in shadier areas of your home. They like indirect sunlight to grow quickly, but can adapt to much less light than this.
How Often to Water A Heartleaf Philodendron
Only water your philodendron scandens once it is dry. This will be about 1 or 2 weeks in the summer if it gets the right light and warmth to grow, and less in the winter.
Fertilizer
Philodendrons need nitrogen, so use fertilizer with good nitrogen content (for example with an NPK of 3-1-2). In the warmer months you can feed your plants every month.
Soil
Use a well draining peat-based compost for your heartleaf philodendron. They are tough plants, but to give them the best care use a well draining medium to reduce the chance or root rot.
When To Repot A Heartleaf Philodendron
When the plant is root bound you can pot it up a container size or two in spring or early summer. When I repot mine I like to take cuttings a month or so before hand and then plant them back in with the main plant when repotting so that the plant is thicker, the same as I would with pothos or a monstera adansonii.
Humidity
Philodendrons are tropical plants and like humidity, but will do ok in normal household humidity levels. You can mist it when watering, but it is not essential.
Temperature
Heartleaf Philodendrons like a temperate range of 13ºC – 30ºC (55°F – 86°F), which means they will suit most households all year round.
Where To Buy a Heartleaf Philodendron
Always support your local plant shop where yo can, or you can try Etsy. You can find a list of some online houseplant shops here.
Other Names for Heartleaf Philodendron
Sweetheart plant, philodendron scandens.
Heartleaf Philodendron FAQs and Common Problems
These plants are relatively tough, and one of the easiest houseplants to look after but like all plants they can be susceptible to over or under watering as well as pests. Keep a regular watering schedule and only water if dry, as well as keeping an eye out for normal plant pests.
Why Is My Heart Leaf Philodendron Turning Yellow
If you have yellowing leaves check the soil moisture with your finger. Yellowing is a sign of overwatering in most cases, and underwatering sometimes too. So check both of these and treat accordingly. If you have overwatered the plant, consider taking it out of the soil and drying it out, then planting it in fresh but dry soil. Take some cuttings just in case the worst happens and the rot spreads.
How To Trim A Heartleaf Philodendron
Sometimes vine plants like this get leggy, and you can trim back these vines. You can then propagate the cuttings (see our Water Propagation article) then once rooted you can plant them back into the original pot to make it bushier.
Why Is My Heart Leaf Philodendron Not Growing
Plants grow slower in the winter colder months, and will grow slow in summer too if not given enough light. Consider moving the plant to a brighter location (but not direct sunlight). You can also feed it too in the summer months.
How To Root A Heartleaf Philodendron
Heartleaf philodendrons can be rooted in water. You just need a cutting with 2 or 3 leaves and a couple of nodes, and put it in water making sure the leaves are above the water and one naked node is below (where the roots will grow from). For more on rooting in water see our Water Propagation article.
Why Is My Heart Leaf Philodendron Drooping
Drooping is most likely due to overwatering. Give your plant a regular watering schedule and only water it if is has dried out from before. You can report it to dry soil to avoid root rot and take some cuttings too, just in case the rot spreads.
Any other tips?
Pinch out your plant occasionally just above a node, to keep it full and bushy. The cuttings can be propagated and planted back in the main pot too to make it even fuller.
