Types of Philodendron
- Bright indirect
- Top inch dry
- Toxic to cats and dogs
- Family
- Araceae
- Varieties covered
- 8 cultivars and species
How to tell Philodendron varieties apart
The biggest divide is climbing vs. self-heading growth habit. Beyond that, varieties differ in leaf shape (heart, arrow, lance, dissected), variegation (Birkin's pinstripes, Pink Princess' pink sectors, Brasil's lime stripe), leaf surface (velvet vs. glossy), and petiole color (orange in Billietiae, deep red in Erubescens).
Which Philodendron should you buy?
For beginners: Heartleaf Philodendron or Philodendron Brasil (very low-care vining). For showy upright: Philodendron Birkin. For collectors with bright light: Pink Princess. For statement floor plants: Philodendron Gloriosum (creeping rhizome) or Selloum/Hope (upright). For velvet texture lovers: Philodendron Micans.
Every Philodendron variety in this guide
- Pink Princess PhilodendronPhilodendron erubescens · cultivarHeart-shaped, dark purplish-green leaves with pink variegation that ranges from large splotches to small streaks or, occasionally, an entire leaf (MBG).
- Philodendron BirkinPhilodendron 'Birkin' · hybridUpright, self-heading Philodendron with dark green leaves marked with creamy white pinstripes (NC State).
- Philodendron BrasilPhilodendron hederaceum 'Brasil' · cultivarHeart-shaped trailing leaves with a variegated center stripe of yellow to light green and dark green borders, per NC State.
- Philodendron Micans (Velvet-Leaf Philodendron)Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum · varietyHeart-shaped trailing leaves with a velvet texture, usually bronze above with reddish brown undersides, per Clemson HGIC.
- Philodendron Ring of FirePhilodendron 'Ring of Fire' · cultivarLong, jagged-edged leaves with variegation that emerges orange to red, ages to yellow or cream, and matures to green and white.
- Philodendron GloriosumPhilodendron gloriosum · speciesLarge, heart-shaped velvety leaves with bright white or pink veining against a dark olive-green surface.
- Philodendron BillietiaePhilodendron billietiae · speciesLong, narrow, arrow-shaped leaves with wavy edges on bright orange petioles.
- Silver Sword PhilodendronPhilodendron hastatum · speciesLong, sword-shaped leaves that are metallic silver, silvery blue, or silvery green, with copper-colored undersides (NC State).
Botanical references: Kew Plants of the World Online — Philodendron; NC State Extension — Philodendron bipinnatifidum
For care that applies to all Philodendron varieties — watering, light, repotting, pests — see the Philodendron care guide.