The illustrated growing guide
Heartleaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum
Family Araceae
Est. zones 10-12
Nearly as unkillable as pothos with softer, heart-shaped leaves. Leggy growth means it wants more light.
Medium to bright indirect
Moderate water
Fast growth
Deer-resistant
None winter chill
From the print shop
Growing heartleaf philodendron? Hang it.
Our Houseplants Vol. 1 collection carries heartleaf philodendron — Philodendron hederaceum, print Nº 9, “Philodendron.”
16 designsfrom $21.99white or black groundmatte poster, unframed
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Overview
Will heartleaf philodendron suit your garden, and what goes wrong.
Will it thrive where you are?
Enter your ZIP — we look up your USDA hardiness zone (2023 map) and check it against what heartleaf philodendron actually needs.
Hardy inZones 10-12Heartleaf Philodendron at a glance
Common heartleaf philodendron problems
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Growing
Light, water, soil, propagation and the season’s jobs.
How to grow heartleaf philodendron: light, water & soil
How to plant & propagate heartleaf philodendron
III
The year
What heartleaf philodendron asks for, month by month.
The heartleaf philodendron year, month by month
PruneWhat each band means
- Prune — shape it now — cuts heal cleanly and structure is visible.
The heartleaf philodendron year as text
- Jan pruning
- Feb pruning
- Mar pruning
- Apr pruning
- May pruning
- Jun pruning
- Jul pruning
- Aug pruning
- Sep pruning
- Oct pruning
- Nov pruning
- Dec pruning
These are the species' typical months — expect them a few weeks earlier in warm zones and later in cold ones. Watch the plant, not just the calendar.
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Ecology & uses
What it does for the garden, and what it is grown for.
Heartleaf Philodendron in the garden system
What heartleaf philodendron is grown for
⚠ Toxic if eatenToxic to cats/dogs (calcium oxalate)
Edibility, identification, and traditional-use notes here are general reference — not medical or veterinary advice, and not a claim that any plant treats or prevents anything. Medicinal ratings record how strongly a plant features in herbal tradition, nothing more. Never eat or dose a plant you have not positively identified. More on how to use this library.
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Cultivars
Named varieties of heartleaf philodendron, ruled as a catalogue.
Best heartleaf philodendron varieties & cultivars
'Brasil' (lime stripe); 'Micans' (velvet leaf); classic green
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Sources & plant ID
Where the care distinctions come from, and how the plant is filed.
Research basis
Sources behind this profile
No extension citations are attached to heartleaf philodendronyet. The care figures below come from the library's own catalogue rather than a traced primary source.
Plant ID
VII
Where to buy
Third-party nurseries — not Story Thyme Farms.
Third-party nurseries, not Story Thyme Farms. Prices are theirs.
Story Thyme Farms may earn a small commission from these links, at no cost to you — it never changes what we recommend. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Questions
Heartleaf Philodendron questions, answered straight.
Do deer eat heartleaf philodendron?
Rarely — heartleaf philodendron is considered deer-resistant, which makes it one of the safer unfenced choices in deer country. Hungry deer in a hard winter test every rule, but it's a low-risk pick.
Is heartleaf philodendron safe for kids and pets?
No — treat it as toxic if eaten. Toxic to cats/dogs (calcium oxalate) Site it accordingly if children or pets roam the garden. This is general reference, not medical or veterinary advice — call a vet or poison control if something has actually been eaten.
How do you propagate heartleaf philodendron?
Stem/leaf cuttings, division, or pups.
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Elsewhere
Where heartleaf philodendron sits in the library.
Monstera
Golden Pothos
Snake Plant
Fiddle-Leaf Fig