Description, History & Interesting Facts:
There are over 400 different species of philodendrons originating from the tropical rainforests of South America, with varying growth habits, leaf shapes and sizes. Many are climbers and others are substantial shrubs.
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Philodendran hederaceum (syn. Philodendron scandens)
The heartleaf philodendron is semi-epiphytic, starting off in the rich and loamy soils on the rainforest floor, and producing aerial roots that enable it to attach to trees and climb continually. In their native rainforests they can reach great heights, and mature specimens will eventually grow white flowers, followed by berries.
The name Philodendron originates from the Greek words "Philo" meaning love, and "dendron" meaning tree, in reference to their love of growing up the trunks of trees.
Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’
‘Brasil’ is a gorgeous form admired for its vibrant variegated foliage, with bold strokes of lime, green and yellow that can vary in intensity from leaf to leaf.
Velvet Leaf Philodendron, Philodendron Micans (Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum)
The velvet philodendron is a subspecies which is still available under its previous name of Philodendron Micans. It’s very aptly named for its big, velvety-soft heart-shaped leaves that you just want to stroke. New leaves come out coppery bronze, turning blush pink and ultimately maturing to a deep iridescent green, with purple to bronze undersides.
Philodendron hederaceumIn the Garden & Home:
A classic climbing or trailing plant, the heartleaf philodendron remains a firm favourite as it is beginner friendly and if placed in bright indirect light will grow quickly. It will also happily adapt to moderate lighting conditions, and is great to use in darker rooms where a touch of green is needed to add the perfect finishing touch.
Heartleaf philodendrons look magnificent cascading gracefully down from a hanging basket or macramé, or spilling over a bookshelf or table top. To add a tall focal point to a room plant it in a beautiful pot and train it up a trellis or moss pole.
Philodendrons are particularly skilled at eliminating toxins such as formaldehyde from the air indoors.
Climbers like the heartleaf philodendron belong in the Araceae family which mainly reproduce vegetatively from stem fragments or cuttings, and can become extremely invasive if they are planted outdoors in our warm, frost free and subtropical regions. And many are already invading parts of KZN, often by improper disposal of these plants in municipal garbage bags which split open and the plants start growing again.
For this reason, never plant members of the Araceae family outdoors, and if you simply have to have one outside please keep it confined to a pot or hanging basket on your patio or at your entrance.
Cultivation Indoors:
How much light does the Heartleaf Philodendron need?
Compared to many other houseplants from the tropics the heartleaf philodendron has low light requirements. In its native rainforests it clamours up trees and grows on the forest floor where there is little direct light beneath the canopy.
This vine will tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions, from diffused light to almost full shade, and even thrives when grown indoors under fluorescent lights. For the fastest growth, place your philodendron where it can receive bright, indirect light for a minimum of three to four hours a day.
Avoid putting your plants where they receive too much direct sunlight as this can burn the leaves.
If you notice that your plant is getting leggy with smaller leaves, or long spaces between the leaves, it needs more light.
What temperatures are best for the Heartleaf Philodendron?
These tropical plants love warm rooms where the temperatures don’t drop below about 13°C for long, but they are also very tolerant and generally comfortable in rooms with temperatures that are also comfortable for humans.
How much water does the Heartleaf Philodendron need?
During the active growing season in spring and summer keep the potting soil slightly moist at all times, but not soggy. During the winter months when growth is slower, allow the top part of the potting soil to dry out completely before watering. Never use freezing cold water on your plants, room temperature is best.
Yellow leaves may indicate over-watering, and brown leaves mean the plant needs more water.
If the leaves are drooping, it can indicate either too much, or not enough water, so to take the guesswork out, stick your finger into the soil at the side of the pot, and if the top couple of centimetres of soil is dry water again. Investing in a water meter for pot plants is really worthwhile as incorrect watering is probably the main reason people kill their plants.
Is tap water safe for the Heartleaf Philodendron?
Most tap water is fine for these plants but if your water is hard, filtered water is good, and rainwater is always best for indoor pot plants.
How much humidity does the Heartleaf Philodendron need?
Because of its tropical origins, the heartleaf philodendron loves high humidity, yet is also very accommodating indoors in much drier climates.
To maintain higher humidity levels, place the pot in a drip tray filled with fine gravel or pebbles. Half fill the tray with water and place the pot on top of the pebbles, not in the water. As the water slowly evaporates it creates a small microclimate around the plant. Grouping a selection of pot plants together in this way will create a healthy little microclimate around your plants.
During the hot summer season philodendrons love to be misted down regularly with water. This also keeps them lovely and clean. The also enjoy good air flow around their leaves. Mist less frequently in winter, and never use freezing cold water on your plants.
What is the best soil for the Heartleaf Philodendron?
Philodendrons like rich, loose potting soil that will drain well but is still high in organic matter.
How to fertilise the Heartleaf Philodendron
Philodendrons will produce larger leaves and remain healthier if you fertilise them regularly. Slow-release fertilisers applied in spring work well, or a balanced liquid fertiliser for foliage plants can be applied every 2 weeks, or as recommended on the product. In cold regions growth will slow down a lot in winter so allow the plant to rest a bit by feeding and watering less frequently.
How to prune the Heartleaf Philodendron
During the warmer months when the plant is actively growing, cut back the stems occasionally to keep them from getting too leggy. This triggers growth from growing points at the nodes of the stem, creating a fuller, bushier plant. Be sure to create a clean cut directly after a leaf node using clean and sharp secateurs or scissors.
When to repot the Heartleaf Philodendron
Your heartleaf philodendron can grow very fast and should be re-potted every year or two into a slightly larger pot. If you do not have space for a larger pot or hanging basket you will have to prune the plant down a bit, remove it from the pot and shake out all the old potting soil, pruning away excess roots and removing old stems before repotting into the same pot with fresh potting soil.
How to propagate the Heartleaf Philodendron
Climbing philodendrons are easy to propagate from stem cuttings placed in a glass of water, or in a seedling tray filled with moist palm peat.
Problems, Pest & Diseases
If your heartleaf philodendron is happy where it is growing it is not susceptible to serious pest problems. Keep an eye out for scale and mealybugs, spider mites and thrips.
Typical diseases associated with philodendrons are leaf-spot disease, botrytis and root rot, all of which are caused by overwatering coupled with low air flow around the plant. Repotting the plant into a new or sterilised pot with fresh potting soil, and cutting away all rotten parts may save it, otherwise, take cuttings of healthy stems to grow a new plant.
Scale & Mealybug
There are several species of mealybugs, and they are related to scale insects, but unlike their close relatives, mealybugs retain their legs throughout their life. Mealybugs are treated in the same way as scale insects, and you can typically control small populations by removing any badly infested plant material, and then washing them off with a strong jet of water, or rubbing the colonies off the leaves with a soft brush or cloth.
Spraying with neem, canola oil, or natural pyrethrins, works well for scale and mealybugs.
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Red Spider Mites
Red spider mite populations can explode during hot, dry weather, and they lay their eggs on the undersides of the leaves where it is relatively dry, and are so minute that most people don't even see them. Signs of infestation are fine white spider webs on the plant, a mottled, silvery look to the top of the leaf, or a severe yellowing or bronze colour to the leaves, leaves dropping off, and leaf curl.
If you spot them early, first cut off and dispose of the worst infected leaves, then drench the entire plant, but especially the undersides of the leaves, using a strong stream of water from a hose pipe or pressure sprayer. If done regularly during hot and dry weather, this will go a long way in controlling these pests. And, if their shower is followed by an insecticidal soap spray, or products containing neem this is most effective.
Biogrow ‘Bioneem’ comes from the Neem tree and is a great choice for gardeners because it is used to control a wide range of insects, (up to 200 types) including: white fly, red spider mites, and leaf-miners. It also does mealybugs, thrips, fruit flies, leaf hopper, weevils, and many, many more gogga’s.
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Thrips
Thrips are minute, straw-coloured insects that are common houseplant pests. Because they live underneath the leaves, and are tiny they are difficult to see with the naked eye.They feed by sucking out the juices of fruits, flowers and leaves of many plant varieties, both indoors and outdoors. Often the first signs of their presence will be leaves that turn pale, patchy, and silvery, before dying. Tangled, discoloured or scarred plants are usually symptoms of an infestation. Due to their asexual reproduction and lack of natural predators in indoor spaces, thrips can multiply very quickly and cause significant damage.
Spray with an organic pesticide such as Bioneem or Pyrol. Treat every 7 to 10 days until infestation has disappeared.
Toxicity:
The heartleaf philodendron is classified as poisonous due to the varying concentrations of calcium oxalate crystals found in the plant. When ingested in large quantities it cannot be properly digested, and these calcium oxalate crystals are deposited in organs such as the kidneys, and can cause cardiac-related issues in humans. Consumption of large quantities must be dealt with quickly.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Philodendron hederaceum can cause oral irritation, a painful and swollen mouth, lips, and tongue, drooling, vomiting (except in horses), and difficulty swallowing in animals.
Keep these plants away from children and pets.
Interestingly, while toxic under certain conditions, this vine is under current review as a source of potential therapeutic applications for medical research. This is due to the presence of terpenoids and flavonoids, natural compounds that are of interest because of their biological abilities in acting as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and disease preventative.
