How often should I water it?

Let the top inch of soil dry out completely before watering again.

Does it need bright light?

It prefers bright, indirect light but tolerates lower light conditions quite well.

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.

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
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 flowers indoors.

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: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
Growth has slowed significantly over the growing season.

Safety

People: All parts of this plant contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense burning and swelling of the mouth and throat if chewed or swallowed.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children because the leaves are tempting to pull and pose a serious choking and toxicity hazard if ingested.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause mild skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant 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

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 0.6m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: white, green, 5 to 10cm

Common problems

Spider mites — Tiny pests that cause fine webbing and stippling on the leaves.
Root rot — Fungal decay caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil.
Yellowing leaves — Usually a sign of either too much water or not enough light.

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 slightly as growth slows down in the cooler months.
In containers: It thrives in containers and looks best in hanging baskets or on shelves where it can trail, requiring at least a 6 inch pot.

Stem cuttings

Cut a 4 to 6 inch stem section just below a leaf node.
Place the cutting in a glass of water, ensuring the node is submerged.
Change the water weekly until roots are 2 inches long.
Pot the cutting into well draining soil.

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

Grows well with

Snake Plant — They share similar light and water requirements.
Pothos — Both are vining plants that look great together in mixed containers.

Similar species

Pothos — Often confused due to similar vining habits, though pothos leaves are thicker and waxy.

Science

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

In its native habitat, it grows as a trailing vine or climbs trees to reach dappled sunlight in the forest understory.

Uses: Indoor ornamental, Hanging basket specimen, Air purification

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How often should I water it?: Let the top inch of soil dry out completely before watering again.
Does it need bright light?: It prefers bright, indirect light but tolerates lower light conditions quite well.

Where the name comes from

Philodendron comes from the Greek words philo meaning love and dendron meaning tree, reflecting its climbing nature. The specific epithet hederaceum describes its ivy like leaf shape.

Good to know

It is native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.
The name hederaceum means ivy like, referring to its vining growth habit.
It can grow as an epiphyte in the wild, climbing up trees for better light.

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.