Why are my leaves turning yellow?

This is often a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.

How much light do they need?

They prefer bright, indirect light to maintain their color.

Plant guide

Philodendron Birkin.

Philodendron 'Birkin'

Pronounced fill-oh-DEN-dron

Also known as Philodendron 'Birkin', philodendron, philodendrons

Philodendron hederaceum — Photo by Marci Howdyshell (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Philodendrons are popular tropical plants known for their lush, heart shaped leaves and vining or upright habits. They are incredibly adaptable to indoor environments, making them a favorite for many plant lovers. These plants bring a touch of the jungle into your home with minimal fuss.

Another photo of Philodendron Birkin — Photo by William G. Borges (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical perennial
Light: Bright indirect light is best for steady growth.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: Varies by species, ranging from small table plants to large climbers.
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely indoors, but can bloom in late spring or summer.

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy, allowing the top inch to dry out between waterings. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal overwatering, or drooping leaves that indicate the plant is thirsty. Wipe the leaves down occasionally to keep them dust free and healthy.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long vines to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Repot when the roots begin to circle the bottom of the pot.
Soil: Well draining peat based potting mix.
Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 60 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many decades with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: Low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot.
Stunted growth.

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause significant irritation to the mouth and throat if chewed.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as ingestion of leaves causes painful swelling and irritation.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: None.
Edibility: All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and should never be consumed.

How to identify it

Heart shaped or lobed leaves
Aerial roots along the stems
Glossy or matte leaf texture
Vining or self heading growth habit

Height: 0.3 to 3m
Spread: 0.3 to 1.5m
Leaves: dark green, chartreuse, variegated, evergreen
Flowers: white, green, cream, 5 to 15cm

Problems to watch for

Brown Leaf EdgesCommon
Root RotCommon
Spider MitesCommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
MealybugsUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
ChlorosisRare

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division, layering
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring indoors if temperatures drop below 15 degrees Celsius. Reduce watering during the cooler months when growth slows down.
In containers: They thrive in containers, provided the pot has drainage holes and a well-draining potting mix.

Stem Cuttings

1. Cut a stem just below a node.
2. Place the cutting in a jar of water or moist soil.
3. Keep in bright, indirect light until roots form.

Group plants with similar humidity needs together to create a microclimate that keeps them all happy.

Grows well with

Peace Lily — They share similar light and moisture requirements.
Ferns — Ferns appreciate the same high humidity levels.

Similar species

Monstera — Shares the same climbing habit and tropical aesthetic.
Pothos — Often confused with philodendrons due to similar leaf shapes and care.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Philodendron
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical Americas and the West Indies.
Conservation: Not currently threatened, but wild collection is discouraged to protect native rainforest ecosystems.

They use aerial roots to climb up host trees to reach higher light levels in the dense rainforest canopy.

Value to wildlife: tropical habitat structure
Pollinators: beetles
Uses: indoor decor, air purification, tropical landscaping

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 8/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves turning yellow?: This is often a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.
How much light do they need?: They prefer bright, indirect light to maintain their color.

Where the name comes from

The name Philodendron is derived from the Greek words philo, meaning love, and dendron, meaning tree, referring to their climbing nature.

Good to know

The name comes from Greek words meaning tree-loving.
They are excellent at filtering indoor air pollutants.
Some species can grow massive leaves over a meter long in the wild.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.