Unleashing the Indoor Jungle: A Comprehensive Guide to Growing 25 Types of Philodendron

Welcome to the world of philodendrons – a diverse genus of plants with over 480 species in the family Araceae. The word “philodendron” translates to “tree lover,” reflecting their tendency to climb or trail on trees in their natural habitat. However, these tropical beauties also include self-heading varieties, making them versatile and popular choices for indoor growing. If you’re looking to transform your living space into a lush indoor jungle, philodendrons are the way to go.

Discover the Fascinating World of Philodendron

Philodendrons are known for their ease of care, thriving in average household temperatures and humidity levels. They also prefer bright, indirect light, making them ideal for indoor environments. However, it’s essential to note that all philodendron varieties are toxic to cats and dogs, so exercise caution if you have furry friends at home.

Here, we’ve compiled a list of 25 popular types of philodendron for indoor growing to help you choose the perfect addition to your plant collection. Let’s dive in!

Heartleaf Philodendron

One of the most well-known and easy-to-grow varieties, the heartleaf philodendron features small, heart-shaped jade green leaves and a vining growth habit. Perfect for hanging baskets or planters, this philodendron thrives in bright to medium indirect light and should be watered once the soil is dry.

Name: Heartleaf Philodendron
Light: Bright to medium indirect light
Leaf Color: Jade green
Mature Size: Vining growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Brasil Philodendron

A cultivar of the heartleaf philodendron, the Brasil philodendron is characterized by lime green to yellow variegation. It requires bright, indirect light to maintain its vibrant colors and is equally easy to care for.

Name: Brasil Philodendron
Light: Bright, indirect light
Leaf Color: Lime green to yellow
Mature Size: Vining growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Philodendron Micans

Featuring velvety dark green leaves and a trailing growth habit, the Philodendron micans is a stunning addition to any indoor garden. It thrives in medium to bright indirect light and should be watered when the soil is almost dry.

Name: Philodendron Micans
Light: Medium to bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Dark green
Mature Size: Trailing growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Lemon Lime Philodendron

With bright neon green and yellow foliage, the lemon lime philodendron adds a pop of color to any space. This vining plant prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its vibrant hues.

Name: Lemon Lime Philodendron
Light: Bright, indirect light
Leaf Color: Neon green and yellow
Mature Size: Vining growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Philodendron Birkin

The philodendron birkin is a trendy hybrid variety with deep green leaves and white pinstripes. Known for its climbing growth habit and slow growth, this philodendron thrives in bright indirect light.

Name: Philodendron Birkin
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Deep green with white variegation
Mature Size: Climbing growth habit
Difficulty: Moderate

Philodendron Erubescens

A robust climbing philodendron, the Philodendron erubescens, also known as the blushing philodendron, features large emerald-green leaves with shades of red and pink on the undersides. Popular cultivars include the pink princess and the Imperial series.

Name: Philodendron Erubescens
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Emerald green with red and pink hues
Mature Size: Climbing growth habit
Difficulty: Moderate

Imperial Green Philodendron

A variety of the erubescens, the imperial green philodendron boasts large, smooth deep green leaves and a compact growth habit. It thrives in bright, indirect light, staying relatively compact with only five to six leaves at a time.

Name: Imperial Green Philodendron
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Deep green
Mature Size: Compact growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Philodendron Black Cardinal

The philodendron black cardinal is a low-maintenance, self-heading plant with color-changing leaves that start as burgundy and mature to green and black. This philodendron enjoys bright, indirect light and can tolerate some direct sun for optimal coloration.

Name: Philodendron Black Cardinal
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Burgundy to green to black
Mature Size: Self-heading growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’

Named for its golden-orange foliage, the ‘Prince of Orange’ philodendron pushes out new leaves in shades of yellow that deepen to orange and eventually settle into bright green. This self-heading variety thrives in bright, indirect light for vibrant colors.

Name: Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Yellow to orange to green
Mature Size: Up to 3 feet tall
Difficulty: Easy

Pink Princess Philodendron

A collector’s favorite, the pink princess philodendron is known for its striking bright pink variegation against dark green or maroon leaves. This climbing plant requires high humidity and bright, indirect light to maintain its unique appearance.

Name: Pink Princess Philodendron
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Bright pink variegation
Mature Size: Climbing growth habit
Difficulty: Moderate

Philodendron White Knight

Coveted for its rare and pricey status, the white knight philodendron features long, pointed green leaves with light green and white variegation. This climbing plant requires bright, indirect light, high humidity, and consistently moist soil to keep its variegation vibrant.

Name: Philodendron White Knight
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Green and white variegation
Mature Size: Climbing growth habit
Difficulty: Moderate

Philodendron Green Princess

Perfect for window sills and tabletops, the philodendron green princess, or philodendron mia, has glossy oval green leaves and a compact self-heading growth habit. While it enjoys bright, indirect light, this low-maintenance plant can tolerate lower light conditions as well.

Name: Philodendron Green Princess
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Glossy green
Mature Size: Compact growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Tree Philodendron

Previously known as selloum or bipinnatifidum, the tree philodendron has large green leaves with irregular splits and a self-heading growth habit. As it matures, it develops a long bare trunk with aerial roots reaching towards the ground for support.

Name: Tree Philodendron
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Large green leaves
Mature Size: Self-heading growth habit
Difficulty: Moderate

Philodendron Xanadu

Formally part of the thaumatophyllum genus but still commonly referred to as a philodendron, the compact bush-like philodendron xanadu has lobed oblong leaves that appreciate bright, indirect light and consistent watering.

Name: Philodendron Xanadu
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Green
Mature Size: Compact growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Golden Goddess Philodendron

Also known as Malay Gold or lemon-lime philodendron, the golden goddess philodendron stands out with its climbing growth habit and large leaves splashed with light green and white variegation. Its growth habit distinguishes it from the lemon-lime cultivator.

Name: Golden Goddess Philodendron
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Light green and white variegation
Mature Size: Climbing growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Philodendron Burle Marx

This fast-growing climbing philodendron features unique foliage and a spreading horizontal growth habit. It’s ideal as a ground cover in tropical climates, requiring bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil for optimal growth.

Name: Philodendron Burle Marx
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Pointed light green with yellow variegation
Mature Size: Climbing growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Philodendron Calkins Gold

A rare climbing hybrid philodendron, the Calkins gold boasts pointed light green leaves speckled with yellow and lime green variegation. Despite its rarity, this plant is relatively straightforward to care for indoors, preferring dry soil and bright, indirect light.

Name: Philodendron Calkins Gold
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Light green with yellow variegation
Mature Size: Climbing growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Philodendron Verrucosum

Featuring velvety green leaves with golden ribbing and red/orange stems, the Philodendron verrucosum adds subtle color to any space. This climbing plant thrives with precise temperature and humidity levels indoors, making it a stylish addition for those up for the challenge.

Name: Philodendron Verrucosum
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Velvety green with golden ribbing
Mature Size: Climbing growth habit
Difficulty: Moderate

Philodendron Lynette

Compact and self-heading, the philodendron Lynette boasts long, textured leaves ideal for bright, indirect light. Sensitive to overwatering, this plant should only be watered once the top half of the soil is dry.

Name: Philodendron Lynette
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Long, textured leaves
Mature Size: Compact growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Philodendron Silver Sword (Philodendron hastatum)

With silvery, sword-shaped leaves, the Philodendron Silver Sword adds a touch of elegance to any space. Growing in popularity, this climbing philodendron thrives in medium light while tolerating lower light conditions as well.

Name: Philodendron Silver Sword
Light: Medium light
Leaf Color: Silvery sword-shaped leaves
Mature Size: Climbing growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Philodendron Florida Green

Characterized by emerald green, multi-lobed leaves, the philodendron Florida Green, or oak leaf philodendron, is a rare climbing variety. Thriving in warm temperatures with rich, well-draining soil and indirect light, this plant is sure to make a statement in your indoor garden.

Name: Philodendron Florida Green
Light: Indirect light
Leaf Color: Emerald green
Mature Size: Climbing growth habit
Difficulty: Moderate

Philodendron ‘Florida Ghost’

Known for its ghostly white emerging leaves, the philodendron Florida Ghost is a collector’s favorite. Easy to care for indoors, this plant thrives with bright, indirect light, high humidity, and consistently moist soil. Look out for variegated varieties for extra color.

Name: Philodendron ‘Florida Ghost’
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: White emerging leaves
Mature Size: Variable
Difficulty: Moderate

Black Gold Philodendron

With shimmery velvet foliage, the black gold philodendron, or melanochrysum, is a climbing variety that adds a touch of luxury to any space. Although considered somewhat rare, this plant is surprisingly easy to care for with bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil.

Name: Black Gold Philodendron
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Shimmery velvet foliage
Mature Size: Climbing growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Philodendron Gloriosum

Boasting large velvety leaves with white veins, the Philodendron gloriosum is a creeping variety that spreads by rhizomes. This Colombian native requires bright, indirect light, high humidity, and consistent watering for optimal growth.

Name: Philodendron Gloriosum
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Velvety dark leaves with white veins
Mature Size: Creeping growth habit
Difficulty: Moderate

Philodendron Mamei

Also known as the blotched philodendron, the philodendron mamei features large green leaves variegated with silver shimmer. Easy to care for with bright, indirect light and a good watering schedule, this plant is both attractive and low-maintenance.

Name: Philodendron Mamei
Light: Bright indirect light
Leaf Color: Large green leaves with silver variegation
Mature Size: Climbing growth habit
Difficulty: Easy

Feeling overwhelmed by the vast array of philodendron options? Remember, all philodendrons are relatively low-maintenance and easy to grow, so choose the one that speaks to you. Whether you prefer colorful leaves or a climbing growth habit, there’s a philodendron out there for everyone.

Distinguishing Philodendrons from Monsteras

Philodendrons and monsteras are often confused due to their similar appearance. However, you can differentiate them by the texture of their leaves. Philodendrons have slightly rough and bumpy textures, while monsteras tend to be smooth and glossy.

Conclusion: Embrace the Diversity of Philodendrons

In conclusion, philodendrons offer a wide range of options for indoor plant enthusiasts, from vibrant variegated leaves to climbing growth habits. Whether you opt for a classic heartleaf philodendron or a rare pink princess, each variety brings its own unique charm to your indoor jungle.

So, what are you waiting for? Dive into the world of philodendrons and start growing your collection today. Remember, each plant has unique care requirements, so be sure to provide the proper lighting, humidity, and watering for your chosen philodendron. Happy growing!