Where should I put my Philodendron?

Living rooms, offices, and bedrooms with east or filtered south light. Climbing philodendrons benefit from being near a wall where you can install a moss pole. Best window direction: East-facing (ideal) or south-facing with sheer curtain. Best distance: 3–6 feet from a bright window. Target light: 200–800 fc (medium to bright indirect).

What temperature does a Philodendron need?

Philodendron prefers 65–80°F (18–27°C).

Placement · Philodendron

Where to Put Your Philodendron

Living rooms, offices, and bedrooms with east or filtered south light. Climbing philodendrons benefit from being near a wall where you can install a moss pole.

Best window

East-facing (ideal) or south-facing with sheer curtain

Distance from window

3–6 feet from a bright window

Target light

200–800 fc (medium to bright indirect)

Room temperature

65–80°F (18–27°C)

What to avoid

Direct hot sun (causes yellow patches), and dim corners where leaves will get leggy and small

Most common placement mistake

Treating Heartleaf and Philodendron Brasil as "low-light" plants because they tolerate it. They tolerate low light but produce small, sparse leaves; bright indirect produces full, lush growth.

How to measure light at home

A foot-candle (fc) is a unit of light intensity. You can measure it with a free smartphone app like Light Meter or with a $20 digital light meter. As reference points:

50\u2013100 fc: A bright corner away from any window — most low-light tolerant plants only
100\u2013400 fc: A few feet from a north or east window — medium light
400\u20131000 fc: Right next to a bright east window or 3\u20136 feet from a south window — bright indirect
1000+ fc: Directly in a south or west window — full sun, only suitable for succulents and high-light tropicals

Source: Missouri Botanical Garden

For full Philodendron care — watering schedule, fertilizing, pests, and propagation — see the Philodendron care guide. Or check out how big Philodendron gets.