Heartleaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum
Toxic to cats and dogs
An easygoing trailing vine. Let the top of the soil dry out; tolerates a range of light.
Toxicity
Toxic Usually mild
Signs, in the ASPCA's words
Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing
Toxic Usually mild
Signs, in the ASPCA's words
Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing
Source — ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, toxic and non-toxic plant list; read from this species' own page
Pet-safety information is a general guide from the ASPCA's toxic-plant database and covers cats and dogs only. "If eaten" summarises the symptoms ASPCA lists for that plant; how an animal actually reacts depends on how much it ate and on the animal. It isn't exhaustive, isn't veterinary advice, and individual animals vary — never rely on it as the sole basis for a decision about your pet. If you think your pet has eaten a harmful plant, contact a vet immediately.
Care
- WaterEvery 7–10 days
- LightMedium light
- HumidityAverage humidity
- Temperature18–27 °C
The same interval the Sabz app schedules reminders from. In autumn and winter the app stretches it; see houseplants in autumn.
Common problems
Philodendron yellow leaves
Yellow leaves on a heartleaf philodendron are overwatering: the compost stays wet and the older leaves go soft and yellow first. Water when the top few centimetres are dry, every seven to ten days in summer, and make sure the pot drains. It tolerates being forgotten far better than being fussed over.
Philodendron brown tips
Brown, crisp tips are dry air or a plant that dried out completely and was then flooded. Even out the watering — a proper soak when the compost is dry, nothing between — and keep it out of the draught from a radiator. The tips stay brown; the next leaves come in clean.
Philodendron leggy with small leaves
Long gaps on the vine and small leaves mean it wants more light. A heartleaf philodendron survives in low light but grows properly in medium to bright indirect light. Move it closer to a window and cut the leggy vines back to a few leaves from the pot; it fills out from the cuts, and the trimmings root in water.
Similar plants
- Tree Philodendron toxicPhilodendron bipinnatifidum
- Baby Rubber Plant safePeperomia obtusifolia
- Corn Plant toxicDracaena fragrans
- Lady Palm safeRhapis excelsa
In the app
Add a heartleaf philodendron to Sabz and the watering interval above becomes a reminder, the toxicity verdict sits on the plant's own page, and when a leaf turns, the Check-up reads what you have actually logged to say why.
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