How to Grow Philodendrons and Why You’ll Love Them

Learn how to grow philodendrons as houseplants so you can bring the beauty of the rainforest to your home. 

 

When it comes to popular houseplants, philodendrons are topping the charts! These tropical beauties are glossy, lush, and so easy to grow. With so many spectacular cultivars to choose from, you can curate an impressive plant collection of different philodendrons with unique colors, sizes, and growth habits. Learn how to grow philodendrons as houseplants so you can bring the beauty of the rainforest to your home in Pennsylvania. 

 

How Do You Grow Healthy Philodendrons?

While there are many varieties of philodendrons, they tend to have pretty similar care requirements across the board. Here’s what you need to know if you’re learning how to grow philodendrons as houseplants.

 

Sunlight and Soil

Like many tropical plants, philodendrons grow in jungles where leafy tree canopies shield the intense, scorching sun. However, it isn’t complete shade—it’s filtered and dappled. By that logic, your philodendron houseplants won’t do well in bright, direct light, or their glossy leaves will turn crunchy and lose their color. Instead, place them in bright, indirect, or filtered light. For best results, try a north or east-facing window or a sunny window with a sheer curtain to diffuse the light.

As far as soil goes, you don’t need anything too fancy or out-of-the-ordinary for philodendrons. Most standard potting soils contain organic matter that provides all the necessary nutrients and beneficial microbes. You should, however, switch out the soil of your philodendron every 2–3 years to eliminate salt build-up. 

 

Water and Humidity

Water your philodendrons once the top inch of soil has gone dry. Don’t overwater—soggy soil can cause their leaves to droop, or worse—it could rot the roots. A pot with drainage holes will prevent this from happening. 

The rainforest is a pretty humid place, but your living room or office is pretty dry in comparison. Misting your plant regularly, plugging in a mini-humidifier nearby, or placing the pot on a pebble tray with an inch of water will help keep your plant happy. 

 

Keep Those Leaves Glossy!

Wipe down the leaves of your philodendrons with a damp cloth every two weeks or so; this will remove dust build-up, so the foliage remains shiny and able to soak up CO2 and churn out fresh oxygen. 

 

Types of Philodendrons

Philodendrons fall into one of two categories: vining and non-vining. Non-vining philodendrons like the red-leafed “Congo Rojo” and the elegant, striped “Birkin” have stiff stems that grow upright, often boasting big, dramatic, exotic leaves. 

The vining varieties—such as the ever-popular Heartleaf philodendron—have long, fast-growing vines that trail downward. Let them cascade down the sides of a hanging basket or a pot on a floating shelf, or train their vines to grow up a trellis!

 

Training Vining Philodendrons

As your vining philodendrons grow, you can gently train the vines to climb up pretty trellises or other structures. Twist them around the structure, being careful not to snap their stems; over time, they’ll be able to twist and climb without assistance. If you like, you can loosely tie the stems to the trellis to keep them secure in the early stages while your plant matures. 

Wall clips have become especially popular for vining philodendrons. These little clips have a layer of adhesive on the back so they can stick to the wall. Clip your vines into place to create beautiful living wall art. 

 

How to Grow Philodendron from Cuttings

Philodendrons are super easy to propagate from cuttings! Just make sure there’s at least one node at the base of the stem. Place the cutting in a cup of water on a sunny windowsill, and remove any leaves near the bottom so they aren’t submerged in water. Change out the water every few days, and soon your cutting will sprout roots. Plant your rooted cutting in a fresh pot of soil, and you’re good to go. 

 

Now that you know how to grow philodendrons in Pennsylvania, visit Primex Garden Center to see all the spectacular varieties available! From classic beginner plants to rare, exotic hybrids, there’s bound to be a philodendron for everyone.