Why are my leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing leaves often indicate overwatering or poor drainage.

Does it need direct sun?

No, it prefers bright, indirect light.

Plant guide

Heartleaf Philodendron.

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum

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

Also known as Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum, Sweetheart Plant, vilevine

The heartleaf philodendron is a classic trailing houseplant that is incredibly easy to grow. It features charming heart shaped leaves that look lovely cascading from a hanging basket or climbing a small trellis. This plant is a favorite for beginners because it is very forgiving.

Another photo of Heartleaf Philodendron — Photo by Brittany Savoie (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen vine
Light: Bright indirect light is best, but it tolerates lower light levels well.
Indoor light: Medium light
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, but can flower in spring or summer in ideal conditions.

Care

Let the top inch or two of soil dry out between waterings to keep the roots happy. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves which often signal overwatering. Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them dust free and healthy.

Watering: Water when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems to encourage a bushier appearance.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes rootbound or growth slows significantly.
Soil: Well draining peat based potting mix.
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 50 to 70%
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.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause irritation if ingested or handled with sensitive skin.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as ingestion of leaves can cause painful swelling of the mouth and throat.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no notable respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not for consumption and can cause severe mouth irritation.

How to identify it

Heart shaped green leaves
Trailing or climbing growth habit
Vining stems with aerial roots
Smooth leaf texture

Height: 0.3 to 3m
Spread: 0.3 to 1m
Leaves: dark green, lime green, evergreen
Flowers: white, green, 5 to 10cm
Fruit: white

Problems to watch for

Brown Leaf EdgesCommon
Root RotCommon
Spider MitesCommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Leaf DropUncommon
MealybugsUncommon

By symptom

Check your heartleaf philodendron from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, division
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Bring the plant indoors if temperatures drop below 15 degrees Celsius. Reduce watering during the winter months when growth slows down.
In containers: It thrives in containers and is perfect for hanging baskets or pots with a minimum size of 15 centimeters.

Stem Cuttings

1. Cut a stem section with at least two nodes.
2. Place the cutting in a jar of water or moist soil.
3. Wait for roots to grow to 5 centimeters before potting.

Group plants with similar water needs together to make maintenance easier.

Grows well with

Peace Lily — They share similar light and humidity requirements.
Pothos — They look great together in mixed containers.

Similar species

Pothos — Often confused due to similar trailing growth habits.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Philodendron
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Central and South America.
Conservation: This species is common and not of conservation concern.

It grows as an epiphyte or hemiepiphyte in tropical rainforests, climbing trees to reach light.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: houseplant, hanging basket, trailing foliage

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 3/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 4/9
Salinity: 1/9
Temperature: 8/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves turning yellow?: Yellowing leaves often indicate overwatering or poor drainage.
Does it need direct sun?: No, it prefers bright, indirect light.

Where the name comes from

The name Philodendron comes from the Greek words philo meaning love and dendron meaning tree, referring to its climbing habit.

Good to know

It is one of the most popular houseplants in the world.
The leaves are naturally heart shaped.
It can be grown in water for long periods.
It is a vining plant that can climb if given a support.

Also in

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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.