How often should I water it?

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Does it need direct sunlight?

No, it prefers bright, indirect light and can tolerate lower light conditions.

Plant guide

Heartleaf Philodendron.

Philodendron hederaceum

Pronounced fill-oh-DEN-dron hed-er-AY-see-um

Also known as Vilevine, heart-leaf philodendron, heartleaf philodendron

Philodendron hederaceum — Photo by Lauren Bosch (CC0) via gbif

The heartleaf philodendron is a classic trailing houseplant known for its glossy, heart shaped leaves. It is incredibly adaptable and thrives in many indoor environments. Its vining habit makes it a perfect choice for hanging baskets or trailing off a bookshelf.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical evergreen vine
Light: Bright indirect light is best, though it tolerates lower light conditions well.
Indoor light: medium
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: Vines can reach 1 to 3 meters in length.
Growth rate: fast
Hardiness: USDA 11 to 12
Bloom time: Rarely blooms indoors.

Care

Keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal overwatering or drooping leaves that indicate it needs a drink. Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them dust free and healthy.

Watering: Water when the top 3 to 5 centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long vines to encourage a fuller, bushier appearance.
Repotting: Repot when the roots begin to circle the bottom of the container.
Soil: Well draining peat based potting mix.
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years.
Deer and rabbits: low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Noticeably slower growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause irritation to the mouth, throat, and digestive tract if eaten.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of small children, as the leaves are a choking hazard and cause painful swelling if chewed.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is toxic if ingested and should never be consumed by humans or pets.

How to identify it

Glossy heart shaped leaves
Trailing vining stems
Deep green foliage color
Pointed leaf tips

Height: 0.15 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.3 to 3m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: white, green, 5 to 10cm

Common problems

Spider mites — These tiny pests thrive in dry air and cause stippling on the leaves.
Root rot — Overwatering leads to fungal decay of the root system.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant away from cold drafts and heating vents during winter. Reduce watering frequency as growth slows down in cooler months.
In containers: It is excellent for containers and hanging baskets, requiring a pot with drainage holes at least 6 inches in diameter.

Stem Cuttings

Cut a 4 to 6 inch stem section just below a leaf node.
Remove the lower leaves from the cutting.
Place the stem in a jar of water or moist potting mix.
Keep in bright, indirect light until roots form.
Transplant into a permanent pot once roots are 2 inches long.

Group plants with similar moisture needs together to create a more humid microclimate.

Grows well with

Snake Plant — They share similar light and water requirements.
Pothos — Both plants thrive in similar indoor conditions and look great together.

Keep away from

Cactus — Cacti require much more direct light and less water than this philodendron.

Similar species

Satin Pothos — It has a similar trailing habit but features silver variegation.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Philodendron
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Central and South America, including the Caribbean.
Conservation: This species is widespread and not currently of conservation concern.

In the wild, it climbs trees using aerial roots to reach higher light levels in the rainforest canopy.

Uses: indoor ornamental, trailing houseplant, hanging basket specimen

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Temperature: 7/9
Light: 3/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Does it need direct sunlight?: No, it prefers bright, indirect light and can tolerate lower light conditions.

Where the name comes from

The name Philodendron comes from the Greek words philo meaning love and dendron meaning tree, referring to its climbing nature. Hederaceum refers to its resemblance to ivy.

Good to know

It is commonly known as the heartleaf philodendron due to its distinct leaf shape.
The plant can grow several feet long in a home environment.
It is one of the most popular and easy to care for houseplants worldwide.

Is your heartleaf philodendron looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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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.