Care guide
Heartleaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum / Philodendron scandens
Perfect heart-shaped leaves on fast, forgiving trailing stems — the classic starter plant that still earns its place in every collection.
At a glance
tap for detail ↓Just arrived?
Welcome home! A little settling-in is completely normal — here’s what to know in week one.
- A dropped leaf or a little droop in the first week is just travel shock — give it a calm, bright spot and time.
- Don’t repot for at least 4 weeks. It ships happy in its nursery pot — just sit that inside your decorative cover.
- Check the plant-specific watering guidance below before giving it a drink — different plants prefer very different levels of dryness.
Light
Bright shade to medium indirect light — it’s one of the most shade-tolerant trailers, keeping its deep green gloss where showier plants fade. Direct sun yellows the hearts.
Watering
Check weekly, water when the top few centimetres are dry, drain well. It signals thirst with a slight all-over droop and forgives the occasional lapse graciously.
Humidity & temperature
Ordinary humidity is fine; more brings bigger leaves. Keep above 15°C and away from cold draughts.
Feeding
Monthly balanced feed through the growing season.
Repotting & size
Pot up a size every couple of years in spring in standard peat-free mix. Pinch growing tips regularly for a full plant, or run it up a pole or along a shelf — it’s equally happy climbing or trailing.
Something wrong?
Most problems are fixable — find the symptom below.
Yellow leaves
Cause
Overwatering, or too much direct sun.
Fix
Let it dry further between drinks and pull it back from harsh light.
Leggy, sparse growth
Cause
Low light stretching the stems.
Fix
Brighter shade plus regular tip-pinching thickens it up.
Brown tips
Cause
Dry air or erratic watering.
Fix
A steadier routine; trim tips if they bother you.
Drooping
Cause
Thirst — its standard signal.
Fix
Water thoroughly; recovery is quick.
Small new leaves
Cause
Hunger or a rootbound pot.
Fix
Feed in season and check the roots each spring.
No aerial roots taking to a pole
Cause
Air too dry for them to grip.
Fix
Mist the pole to encourage attachment — or just let it trail instead.
Meet the plant
About Heartleaf Philodendron
Common names include: heartleaf philodendron, sweetheart plant, parlour ivy.
- The perfect heart-shaped leaf has made it a beloved houseplant for generations.
- It’s often confused with pothos — the giveaway is the thinner, softer, perfectly heart-shaped leaf. Like pothos, it’s toxic to pets if chewed.
- Like pothos it transforms when climbing, producing larger leaves the higher it goes.
Shop this plant
Seasonal care tips, four times a year
What to change as the light changes — no spam, ever.
