PHILODENDRONS
Philodendrons are among the most popular houseplants known worldwide, even the first choice of seasonal and beginner gardeners. Philodendron plants grow in the rich, hot, and moist rainforests like in Central and South America. Philodendron belongs to the Araceae family; it is a large genus flowering plant with 489 known species worldwide. Araceae family is known for its shiny and huge leaves. Philodendron leaves can be folded or not, slash or not, sometimes pinnate and sometimes not; it depends on the variety it belongs to.
Some philodendrons are climbers; others are crawlers; others grow upright and don’t need a pole or support. The different variety of this plant is available in different colors, sizes, and textures.
There is a distinction on how we can see between the differences of the varieties of this group of plants are Vining Philodendron and Non- Philodendron. Vining Philodendron has this climbing habit that needs support. The other type that has this natural upright habit that does not require any pole support and will not trail is called Non-vining Philodendron.
PHILODENDRONS ARE UNIQUE
Some Philodendron varieties can be pricey. However, countless stunning species and cultivars are readily available and at a very affordable price. No plant can reproduce that lavish, rich tropical look with its leaves like Philodendron. With just about 500 regular species and numerous crossbreeds and cultivars to browse, the reach is tremendous. Some are impressive, some are sweet-looking, and some even have dark leaves.
Philodendrons are by a long shot one of the most well-known houseplants everywhere. Many plant collectors adore these plants that have an enormous intriguing family for their delightful huge gleaming leaves. Philodendron is not difficult to care for, easy to propagate, and has an incredible variety of leaves, shapes, colors, sizes, and growth habits. Philodendron has ample eye-catching types and can be an asset to making a house pleasing and not dull. Many different colors will trigger you to complete the different varieties of this plant species. Plants are a mood changer for gardeners because plants can relax and reduce stress, especially if they have different types and colors. Thus, philodendron plants are an ideal way to go if you want to make your home feel fresh and lively.
Philodendron is recommended for beginner gardeners because they are effortless to grow. Check out these different varieties that will surely make an elegant addition to your indoor garden.
- Black Majesty
A shiny, elongated heart that looked like reflecting in surfaces and very dark leaves. The color of its leaf is a dark purple that almost looks like black. Its undersides are red, and the young leaves are copper red, adding to this plant’s beauty. Dark metallic blue can also include in its shade.
2. Selloum
It is trendy for its eye-catching and sculptural leaves. Selloum loves a spot wherein it can get indirect light. You can position the plant towards the sun so that its leaves won’t grow to slant; rotate the pot every few days.
3. Atabapoense
It is a South American climber. Its leaves are sword-shaped, thin, elongated, have leathery and maroon undersides. Its leaves widen approximately two feet in length as it grows. The typical leaves are impressive, whether as support or veil from a hanging basket. This type of Philodendron is easy to grow as it grows moderately quickly in porous soil.
4. Prince of Orange
This type of philodendron variety is a cute and fun cultivar whose leaves emerge bright orange and turn yellow and light green as they mature. This plant’s leafstalk and new leaf spears are deep and colorful.
Prince of Orange has a growing habit that produces a tight bundle and leaves around its central stem. Prince of Orange Philodendron can grow into a great plant; it stays neat and doesn’t need support, but it will need a pole if you don’t cut this plant. Prince of Orange Philodendron loves moderate to bright, indirect sunlight.
5. Pink Princess
It is famous for its multi-colored leaves in an impressive random shade of pink splashes. The color can vary in intensity from cream to tints to full-moon hot pink. This plant must receive enough sunlight; you should place it on a spot where it can get sufficient sunlight to achieve its vibrant color and beautiful pink variegation. A contrast with pink variegation is provided by the dark green to deep burgundy leaves. This plant’s growing habit is either climb or fall from a hanging basket with leaves that grow up to eight inches long.
Comparing to other varieties of Philodendron, Pink Princess is a slow grower and a bit fussier. This plant blooms in high humidity, so you need to regularly provide a humidifier or mist the plant. Its propagation is easy, but you have to select a suitable material with good variegation. If the plant is grown from cuttings lacking the variegation, it might not produce nice variegations.
Read: Pink Princess Plant Guide
6. Micans
These philodendron leaves have a velvety texture with a tiny layer of hairs that almost look like invisible fluff. Its nice-looking leaves have light green veins but can be a lot of shades of green, and they tend to be bronze. Its young leaves have reddish undersides and have a smooth texture when they become mature.
Hanging this plant in a bright window out of direct sun makes this a lovely plant. Micans multiply quickly, unlike other varieties, though it benefits from drying out a bit more between watering.
7. Black Cardinal
This variety is suited to those who are fond of plant that has dark leaves. Black Cardinal is pointed, large paddle-shaped leaves which are deep crimson to almost black while its stems are glowing dark red. Darken with age and pinkish brown is the color shade of its new leaves that added dimension to the plant.
Black Cardinal’s growing habit is upright growth pattern with thick and shaggy growth. Unlike the other variety of Philodendron, this must not give too much light because too much light can fade the spectacular leaf color.
This variety of Philodendron has an exotic look that makes it eye-catching to plant lovers, yet it is widely available and a great addition to your plant collection.
8. Painted Lady
It is also popular because of its fusion with neon yellow variegation on its medium to large-sized leaves. Its new leaf emerges a bright yellow-green and moderately deepens to a dark green setting. Every leaf maintains its lively mottling at every stage. The color of its leafstalk is bright red or pink.
This Philodendron’s growing habit is climbing that produces larger leaves as it rises higher, and when the leaves mature, it can be over a foot in length. Handling this variety is the same as taking good care of other Philodendrons.
9. Ring of Fire
This variety has these hybrid features that are eye-catching long, narrow foliage with zigzag flaming edges. Its leaves emerge from its middle trunk on individual stems, which can grow to feet long.
Ring of Fire Philodendron leaves have variegations composed of random red, orange, yellow, green, and cream or bright white variegation. This plant is slow-growing, but it is worth waiting until its leaves are outspread and reveal themselves.
10. Heartleaf
This plant belongs to the trailing Philodendron and is one of the most accessible varieties to grow. This plant’s features are fast-growing because of its adaptability to a variety of light conditions. The heart-shaped leaves emerge bronze and turning it into a shiny green.
Its leaves reach from two to three inches wide and can grow approximately eight inches wide if allowed climbing. Heartleaf Philodendron is one of the most elegant hanging plants with vines.
11. Gloriosum
This houseplant strikes with fleshy, large, and smooth leaves. Its leaves are heart-shaped, large, and dark emerald green with attractive white veins added to its lovely pattern.
The leaves are the most noticeable feature of this variety because of their massive size. The leaves can reach about 2 feet in length. Its size is 3 feet tall and up to 4 feet in spread. Gloriosum is best when planted in a large container because it is a crawler.
12. Xanadu
This plant has an upright growing habit. Its leaves are long, dark green, and split, with very deep multiple lobes perched on long, sturdy stems, making them look very thick and sculptural. These features of Xanadu qualifies the plant for huge spaces. It adapts to numerous conditions; it is easy to grow because the leaves grow on a long and robust stem that comes directly from the ground, forming a round-shaped of striking leaves. It is about 2 to 4 ft. tall and 3 to 5 ft in the spread and has no vine.
13. Subhastatum
Philodendron Subhastatum has broad, glossy, and long showy leaves. The leaves of this Philodendron are shiny green on top and oranges, red or even purple on the underside. These leaves have clear and beautiful veins. The underside leaves are visible because of their upright growth habit. It can grow to about six ft. in length and 2 ft in a spread, its leaf color is light to dark emerald green on the upside, and the underside goes from bright orange to purple-red.
14. Grazielae
Philodendron Grazielae is a philodendron variety that is very sweet-looking and playful. This variety is in bright green, glossy, and heart-shaped leaves that look like rubber.
It looks great in a hanging basket as it is a trailing philodendron grow pointing down from the vines of this beautiful plant. It grows up to 3 ft. long, and its leaf color is bright green.
15. Moonlight
This variety came from the base of the plant on stems that expand. They are in lemon green color when they are young, and they become darker green. Moonlight has an energetic and bright appearance which the pointed leaves are very smooth and glossy.
16. Birkin
The striking pinstripes are very thin with dark and light green shades that start from the center of the heart-shaped leaves and lead to the edges. This variety has an upright habit with a central stem where all the leaves are attached.
This variety is perfect for room designs that you will be able to enjoy looking at how the leaves turn out to be because none has precisely had the same pattern.
17. Tripartitum [Tri-Leaved]
The leaves of this variety look like it made up of 3 lobed leaves, two at the sides of leafstalk and one in the center. Its leaf has very deep lobes, and they also have beautiful veins.
18. Pedatum
This plant is a climber philodendron with an exotic, airy, open structure that can grow tall. It has green leaves that change their shape with maturity, that start from being small with an oval, and develop deep lobes as they grow, finally reaching up to 9 inches long.
It is a healthy and exotic plant indoor flourishes with regular Philodendron care. You must clean its leaves regularly to help it breathe and block the pests, and the leaves will naturally shine.
19. Green Congo
This variety features slightly elongated, stiff, and heart-shaped leaves that grow thickly from a central stem. This plant makes a magnificent tropical highlight. And he needs some form to stay attractive. This plant lives warm, and you should keep it from cold temperatures below 5°C.
20. Mamei
The beautiful edges of the leaves of this variety keep its attractive, highly- variable silver leaf colors throughout the leaf’s lifespan. Its thin, semi-shiny leafstalk is broad and heart-shaped with vein indentations that give the leaves a beautiful ruffling texture. The foliage has splash silver variegations. This plant is a low-growing species, and every large leaf is supported by a sole stem that reaches 10 to 18 inches wide.
21. Jose Buono
This plant is another stunning variety of Philodendrons. This is a climbing plant, so it will need a pole as it progresses. If the plant came from a mother with very good variegations, it could always give you a full moon leaf in creamy white color. The full moon leaves gradually turn yellow-green as it matures. Just make sure to place the Jose Buono with so much variegation in a bright, shaded area.
22. Rojo Congo
Red Congo or Rojo Congo is another unique cultivar hybrid that is a favorite of many collectors. This plant is a cross of Imperial Red and Philodendron Tatei. Self-supporting or self-header, Rojo Congo doesn’t need a pole. It is so charming, especially with its burgundy leaves forming in rosette formation.
23. Paraiso Verde
Another pricey philodendron is the Paraiso Verde. While still not so common in the market today, this plant is relatively easy to grow.
The stunning foliage of Paraiso Verde is what makes this variety a standout. Its leaves can grow as big as 10 inches or more with variegations of various hues of green.
24. Billietiae
Philodendron billietiae, pronounced as “bili ətiā,” is a native to Brazil, Guyana, and French Guiana.
This plant is a semi-epiphyte in nature, and the wavy elongated leaves and orange-yellow petioles help the plant receive light. Almost all collectors have this plant.
This plant prefers well-draining moist soil and humidity. As it grows, it is a pole or must climb on a wall or tree.
Read: Billietiae Plant Guide
25. Florida Ghost
Florida Ghost Philodendron is a hybrid of two other philodendrons: squamiferum and pedatum.
The newly unfurl multi-lobed leaves come creamy white color. Its new leaf looks like a tiny ghost floating on the red stems. As the leaves mature, it turns into yellow, yellow-green, and dark-green when its fully mature. This plant is a climbing type and needs a moss pole for support.
Read: Florida Ghost Plant Guide
26. Thai Constellation
Thai Constellation Split Leaf Philodendrons is now one of the most sought plants among collectors. A real show stopper, its lovely variegation on its fenestrated leaves gets more elaborate as it matures.
It was developed in tissue culture in Thailand, hence the name.
Its mother plant is Monstera deliciousa, and both are upward climbing plants.
Thai Constellation loves a warm and humid environment, and it adores bright indirect light. This plant grows much slower than its mother plant and is a lot pickier about some conditions.
Read: Thai Constellation Plant Guide
PHILODENDRONS CARE
The ease with which Philodendrons can be cared for contributes to their popularity. Certain species may have unique requirements, although the majority have comparable demands. The door is open once you figure out how to keep one Philodendron happy.
The plant thrives in moderate to brilliant indirect light but avoids direct sunlight. Philodendrons with darker leaves may tolerate lower light levels, but variegated plants require more.
They prefer higher humidity as a tropical species, but most can adapt to ordinary conditions. During the spring and summer growing seasons, small monthly feedings with a balanced fertilizer are usually sufficient.
These plants are usually pest-resistant (but not immune). Keep in mind that they are deadly, so keep pets and children away from them.
HOW TO MAINTAIN ITS GLAMOUR?
Water Requirement
Warm temperatures and open, well-draining soil kept slightly damp but never waterlogged are essential for philodendron care. The best soil for this plant is loam and well-drained soil. You must check out the leaves hanging in a downward position, which means that it is either under or over-watered, so you must prepare a moderate amount of water. Before re-watering, let the top inch or two of the soil dry off. Yellow leaves are a common symptom of over-watering, so keep an eye out for them. Before watering the Philodendron, it must never forget that allow the top inch (around 2.5 cm) of the soil to dry up before watering.
Light requirement
Philodendron needs a spot that receives moderate to bright indirect sunlight but must avoid direct sunlight. Darker-leaved Philodendrons can tolerate lower light levels, but variegated plants require more light. They prefer higher humidity as a tropical species, but most can cope with average conditions.
Humidity
Philodendrons prefer high humidity levels of 60 to 80 percent. To keep humidity high, you may use mist sprays regularly or use a saucer as a “water tank.” Larger leaves will result from high humidity.
Potting soil
These plants prefer a loose, well-drained potting mix that is high in organic matter. Many gardeners are using sphagnum moss (or a substitute) and perlite. In the Philippines, where organic materials are richly available, you can use rice hulls, acacia leaves, carbonized rice hulls, coco peat (but use this sparingly during the rainy season), cow manure, etc.
Propagation
You can root philodendron stem cuttings in a small container of potting soil or a cup of water. To cut, use a clean, sharp knife to remove a piece of stem about 3-6 inches long. It is recommended to make your cut just above another leaf on the stem, and your cut stem also has enough room for new roots to form. Another way of propagation is leaf cutting. Do not cut a very young stem even if t has some aerial roots. Very young cuttings may survive the propagation process.
Note: This article is updated regularly. More Philodendrons will be added to the list.
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Angelique Abarra, Amika Grace Debide, Jeralden Billeran , Allan Bincal, Mika Canete