A Journey Through Philodendron Houseplants: Common, Rare & Trending Varieties
Philodendrons are among the most popular and diverse houseplants in the world. With over 450 species, these versatile plants are known for their striking foliage and low-maintenance requirements. From common varieties too rare gems, the world of Philodendron plants offers something for everyone. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the most popular and rare Philodendron houseplants to help you find the perfect addition to your indoor garden.
The Ultimate Philodendron Guide: Care Tips, Varieties & More for Your Collection
Fun History Facts
Philodendrons are in the Araceae family, also known as Aroids or Arums. Other members of this family include common houseplants such as Monstera, Spathiphyllum (Peace Lilies), and Epipremnum (Pothos).
Philodendrons have been popular houseplants for well over a century, with their popularity peaking at different times for various species. While it is difficult to pinpoint the exact year they became houseplants, it's clear that their popularity has risen and fallen over time.
- Early Popularity: Victorian Era (1837–1901)
Philodendrons gained popularity as houseplants during the Victorian era, when bringing exotic plants indoors became fashionable. The lush foliage of Philodendrons fit well with the ornate and intricate design aesthetic of the time, leading to their widespread cultivation in homes and conservatories.
- Mid-20th Century: 1950s–1960s
Philodendrons experienced another surge in popularity during the mid-20th century, particularly in the 1950s and 1960s. This can be attributed to the increased focus on interior design, as well as the rise of suburban living and the desire for low-maintenance houseplants. The Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens) was particularly popular during this period due to its easy care requirements and attractive trailing growth habit.
- Late 20th Century: 1980s–1990s
During the late 20th century, the popularity of Philodendrons as houseplants waned slightly, with a shift toward other plant varieties such as Ficus, Dracaenas, and ferns. This decline can be attributed to changing tastes in interior design, as well as the emergence of new plant varieties that captured the public's attention.
- 21st Century Resurgence: 2010s–Present
In recent years, Philodendrons have experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly among millennials and Gen Z plant enthusiasts. This renewed interest can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, which have fostered a strong online plant community. Additionally, the trend towards biophilic design and the increased focus on mental health and wellness have contributed to the growing popularity of houseplants in general, with Philodendrons once again becoming sought-after additions to indoor gardens.
Common Philodendron Houseplants
Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil': This easy-to-care-for variety features heart-shaped leaves with a mixture of green and yellow hues. It's a fast-growing trailing plant, perfect for hanging baskets or as a centerpiece on your table.
Philodendron scandens (Heartleaf Philodendron): Known for its heart-shaped leaves and trailing habit, this variety is perfect for novice gardeners. It's easy to care for and can be propagated through stem cuttings or air layering.
Philodendron 'Imperial Red': This hybrid variety boasts large, glossy, burgundy-red leaves that add a touch of sophistication to any living space. It's a slow-growing, self-heading variety that's perfect for small spaces.
Philodendron bipinnatifidum (Lacy Tree Philodendron): This large, self-heading variety is known for its deeply lobed leaves and ability to clean indoor air. It can grow up to 6 feet tall, making it a stunning statement piece in any room.
Rare Philodendron Houseplants
a) Philodendron verrucosum: This rare, velvet-leaved species is native to Central and South America. Its leaves are dark green with prominent white veins and a reddish underside, making it a showstopper in any indoor garden.
b) Philodendron 'Pink Princess': A highly sought-after variety, the Pink Princess features dark green leaves splashed with vibrant pink variegation. Each leaf is unique, and the pink coloration becomes more pronounced as the plant matures.
c) Philodendron 'White Knight': This rare variety has dark green leaves with white variegation and bright pink petioles (leaf stalks). It's a slow-growing, climbing plant that needs a support to thrive.
d) Philodendron 'El Choco Red': A rare and stunning variety, El Choco Red features large, velvety leaves with a deep burgundy color and contrasting yellow veins. It's a slow-growing plant that requires high humidity and warmth to thrive.
e) Burle Marx: The Philodendron Burle Marx features elongated, glossy green leaves with wavy margins and a compact growth habit, making it an excellent choice for tabletops and shelves.
f) Burle Marx Variegata: The Philodendron Burle Marx Variegata boasts striking variegated foliage in shades of green, cream, and yellow, creating a bold and eye-catching display in any space.
g) Florida Mint Ghost: The Philodendron Florida Mint Ghost showcases pale green to mint-colored leaves with a ghostly white variegation, making it a unique and sought-after addition to any plant collection.
h) Squamiferum: The Philodendron Squamiferum, also known as the "hairy" philodendron, features velvety, heart-shaped leaves with distinctive rust-colored hairs on the petioles, adding a touch of whimsy to any room.
i) Black Majesty: The Philodendron Black Majesty boasts striking, dark green to black leaves with a velvety texture and a compact growth habit, making it a popular choice for modern and minimalist interiors.
j) Majestic: The Philodendron Majestic is a hybrid variety with elongated, glossy green leaves that have a wavy texture and a unique rippled edge, creating a stunning and sophisticated appearance.
Climbing and Trailing Philodendron Houseplants
a) Philodendron micans: This trailing variety features velvety, heart-shaped leaves in shades of green and bronze. The foliage has a metallic sheen, giving it an iridescent appearance when it catches the light.
b) Philodendron 'Lemon Lime': A climbing variety, the Lemon Lime Philodendron has vibrant, neon green leaves that add a pop of color to any room. It's easy to grow and can be trained to climb a moss pole or trellis.
c) Philodendron 'Micans Lime': A rare trailing Philodendron, this variety features small, heart-shaped leaves with a lime-green coloration. The velvety texture of the leaves adds an extra layer of visual interest.
d) Dark Lord: The Philodendron Dark Lord features dark green, almost black leaves with a glossy texture and distinctive ridges and valleys, creating a dramatic and elegant display.
Today, both common and rare Philodendron varieties are in high demand, with plants like the 'Pink Princess' and 'White Knight' fetching high prices due to their unique and eye-catching foliage. As a result, it's safe to say that Philodendrons are currently enjoying a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.
List of Philodendron Cultivars
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Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil': A vibrant cultivar with heart-shaped leaves that feature a mix of green and yellow hues. Excellent as a trailing plant for hanging baskets or tabletop displays.
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Philodendron scandens (Heartleaf Philodendron): A popular trailing plant with dark green, heart-shaped leaves. It's easy to care for and perfect for beginners.
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Philodendron 'Imperial Red': A hybrid with large, glossy, burgundy-red leaves that add a touch of sophistication. Slow-growing and self-heading, it's ideal for small spaces.
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Philodendron bipinnatifidum (Lacy Tree Philodendron): A large, self-heading plant with deeply lobed leaves. It's known for its air-purifying qualities and can grow up to 6 feet tall.
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Philodendron verrucosum: A rare, velvet-leaved species with dark green leaves, white veins, and a reddish underside. Native to Central and South America, it's a stunning addition to any collection.
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Philodendron 'Pink Princess': A highly sought-after cultivar with dark green leaves splashed with vibrant pink variegation. Each leaf is unique, and the pink coloration intensifies as the plant matures.
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Philodendron 'White Knight': A rare variety with dark green leaves featuring white variegation and bright pink petioles (leaf stalks). It's a slow-growing, climbing plant that requires support.
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Philodendron 'El Choco Red': A rare and striking variety with large, velvety, burgundy leaves and contrasting yellow veins. It needs high humidity and warmth to thrive.
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Philodendron micans: A trailing cultivar with velvety, heart-shaped leaves in shades of green and bronze. Its foliage has a metallic sheen that creates an iridescent appearance in the light.
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Philodendron 'Lemon Lime': A climbing variety with vibrant, neon green leaves. Easy to grow, it can be trained to climb a moss pole or trellis.
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Philodendron 'Micans Lime': A rare trailing cultivar with small, heart-shaped, lime-green leaves. Its velvety texture adds visual interest.
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Philodendron 'Moonlight': A self-heading hybrid with large, lime-green leaves that appear to glow in low light. It's compact and perfect for smaller spaces.
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Philodendron 'Golden Goddess': A cultivar with golden-yellow leaves and a compact, self-heading growth habit. Its vibrant foliage adds a pop of color to any room.
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Philodendron 'Glorious': A hybrid of Philodendron gloriosum and Philodendron melanochrysum, this cultivar has large, velvety, heart-shaped leaves with prominent white veins.
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Philodendron 'Rojo Congo': A self-heading variety with dark green leaves and bright red petioles. Its striking color contrast makes it a standout in any collection.
- Philodendron 'Prince of Orange': A self-heading hybrid with new leaves that emerge a bright orange color before maturing to green. Its colorful foliage adds a tropical touch to any space.
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Philodendron 'Black Cardinal': A cultivar with large, dark burgundy leaves that appear almost black in low light conditions. It has a compact growth habit, making it ideal for small spaces.
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Philodendron 'Silver Sword': A climbing variety with elongated, silvery-green leaves that have a metallic sheen. It can be trained to climb a support or allowed to trail.
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Philodendron 'Xanadu': A compact, self-heading cultivar with deeply lobed, glossy green leaves. It's perfect for adding lush, tropical vibes to small spaces.
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Philodendron 'Painted Lady': A climbing cultivar with heart-shaped leaves that have a mix of green and yellow variegation. Its vibrant foliage adds a pop of color and interest to any room.
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Philodendron 'Burle Marx': A self-heading variety named after the famous Brazilian landscape architect, Roberto Burle Marx. It features elongated, glossy green leaves that create a striking visual effect.
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Philodendron 'Jose Buono': A rare cultivar with large, velvety leaves that feature dramatic, white variegation. It's a climbing variety that requires high humidity to thrive.
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Philodendron 'Florida Ghost': A hybrid with leaves that emerge creamy-white and gradually mature to green. Its unique color-changing foliage makes it a highly sought-after variety.
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Philodendron 'Red Emerald': A climbing cultivar with dark green leaves and red petioles. Its striking color contrast adds visual interest to any indoor garden.
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Philodendron 'Jungle Boogie': A climbing variety with long, deeply cut leaves that create a wild, jungle-like appearance. It's perfect for adding a touch of the tropics to your home.
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Philodendron 'Green Congo': A self-heading variety with large, glossy green leaves that grow in a dense, upright habit. It's ideal for adding structure and height to an indoor garden.
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Philodendron 'Strawberry Shake': A rare, variegated cultivar with large, green leaves splashed with creamy white and pink. Its unique coloration makes it a standout in any collection.
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Philodendron 'Rio': A trailing cultivar similar to 'Brasil', but with more pronounced cream and silver variegation on its heart-shaped leaves. It's perfect for adding a touch of brightness to your indoor space.
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Philodendron 'Golden Dragon': A hybrid with deeply lobed, chartreuse leaves and red petioles. Its vibrant colors and unique leaf shape create an eye-catching display.
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Philodendron 'Emerald Green': A self-heading variety with large, glossy emerald green leaves. Its compact growth habit makes it perfect for tabletops or small spaces.
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Philodendron 'Velvet': A rare cultivar with heart-shaped, velvety leaves that have a deep green color and a soft, matte finish. It's perfect for adding texture to your indoor plant collection.
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Philodendron 'Brandtianum': A climbing variety with small, heart-shaped leaves that feature silver-gray variegation. It's ideal for adding subtle color and interest to your indoor garden.
- Philodendron 'Autumn': A self-heading hybrid with leaves that change color as they mature, from orange to yellow to green. Its unique, color-changing foliage adds visual interest throughout the seasons.
- Philodendron 'Caramel Marble': A climbing cultivar with heart-shaped leaves featuring marbled caramel and green variegation. Its unique color pattern adds warmth and interest to your indoor garden.
- Philodendron 'Imbe': A rare variety with elongated, glossy green leaves and a vining growth habit. It can be trained to climb a support or allowed to trail for a more casual look.
- Philodendron 'Anderson's Red': A self-heading hybrid with deeply lobed, reddish-green leaves. Its bold foliage adds a touch of drama to any indoor space.
- Philodendron 'Ring of Fire': A highly sought-after cultivar with large, elongated leaves featuring a unique blend of yellow, orange, and green colors. Its fiery appearance makes it a showstopper in any collection.
- Philodendron 'Plowmanii': A rare species with large, velvety leaves and a corrugated texture. Its attractive foliage adds a touch of luxury to your indoor garden.
- Philodendron 'Mamei': A climbing variety with silvery-green, heart-shaped leaves that feature a distinct pattern of mottled spots. Its intriguing appearance makes it a conversation starter.
- Philodendron spiritus-sancti: An extremely rare and critically endangered species native to Brazil, this cultivar is known for its long, lance-shaped leaves with a distinctive central rib. The leaves are dark green with a velvety texture, and the plant's rarity and unique appearance make it highly sought after by collectors.
- Philodendron longilobatum: A rare and unique climbing Philodendron species native to Ecuador. It is characterized by its long, slender, and deeply lobed leaves that can grow up to 2 feet in length. The leaves are typically dark green and glossy, with a slightly wavy appearance along the edges.
Aerial Roots
Aerial roots are a fascinating feature of Philodendron houseplants that not only add to the plant's visual appeal but also serve a crucial purpose. These roots emerge from the plant's stem and are designed to absorb moisture and nutrients from the air. In their natural habitat, Philodendrons use their aerial roots to climb trees and other structures, allowing them to access sunlight and avoid ground-level predators. When cultivated as houseplants, aerial roots can be guided to climb a support, such as a moss pole or trellis, offering stability to the plant and creating an eye-catching display. Aerial roots can also be propagated to produce new plants, making them valuable for Philodendron enthusiasts and collectors. To foster healthy aerial root growth, it's vital to maintain a humid environment and mist regularly, as well as providing a suitable support structure for the roots to attach to.Moss Poles and Support for Philodendron
Using support structures, like moss poles, is an essential aspect of growing climbing Philodendron varieties, as it mimics their natural growth habit in tropical rainforests, where they climb up trees and other structures to access sunlight. Moss poles not only provide the necessary support but also help maintain humidity around the plant, as they retain moisture. Here's a detailed guide on using moss poles for your Philodendrons:
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Choose the right moss pole: Moss poles are available in various sizes and materials. You can find them made from coir (coconut fiber) or sphagnum moss. Select a pole that is appropriate for the size of your plant and the pot it is in. Keep in mind that as your Philodendron grows, you may need to extend the pole or upgrade to a taller one.
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Prepare the moss pole: Before using the moss pole, soak it in water for about 20-30 minutes. This step ensures that the pole is well-hydrated and ready to support the plant. If you're using a sphagnum moss pole, make sure to squeeze out any excess water after soaking.
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Planting with the moss pole: When repotting your Philodendron or planting it with a moss pole for the first time, place the pole in the center of the pot. Fill the pot with a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that the base of the moss pole is buried in the soil for stability. Position your Philodendron next to the pole, with the main stem or aerial roots close to the moss pole.
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Secure the plant to the pole: Use soft plant ties, twine, or strips of fabric to gently secure the plant's stem to the moss pole. Make sure not to tie it too tightly, as this can damage the stem or restrict growth. As the Philodendron grows, you'll need to continue attaching the plant to the moss pole to encourage upward growth.
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Maintenance and care: Keep the moss pole moist by misting it regularly or wrapping it with a damp cloth. This added humidity benefits the plant and encourages aerial roots to attach to the moss pole. As your Philodendron grows taller, you may need to extend the moss pole by attaching another one on top or replacing it with a taller pole.
By providing your climbing Philodendron with proper support, like a moss pole, you'll encourage healthy growth and enjoy a more natural, visually appealing indoor plant display.
Summary
Philodendrons, a diverse group of over 450 species, are beloved houseplants known for their striking foliage and low-maintenance care requirements. These tropical plants, native to Central and South America, have been popular houseplants since the Victorian era, with their popularity fluctuating over time.
Common varieties such as Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil', Philodendron scandens (Heartleaf Philodendron), Philodendron 'Imperial Red', and Philodendron bipinnatifidum (Lacy Tree Philodendron) are often praised for their easy care and ability to thrive in various indoor environments. On the other hand, rare Philodendron varieties like Philodendron verrucosum, Philodendron 'Pink Princess', Philodendron 'White Knight', and Philodendron 'El Choco Red' captivate plant enthusiasts with their unique foliage and vibrant colors.
Philodendrons can be classified as climbing, trailing, or self-heading. Climbing and trailing varieties, such as Philodendron micans, Philodendron 'Lemon Lime', and Philodendron 'Micans Lime', can be trained to grow on supports or allowed to cascade from hanging baskets. Self-heading varieties, like the Lacy Tree Philodendron, grow in an upright fashion and can make a bold statement in any room.
In recent years, Philodendrons have experienced a resurgence in popularity, driven by factors such as social media, biophilic design trends, and an increased focus on mental health and wellness. Today, both common and rare Philodendron varieties are in high demand and continue to captivate the hearts of indoor gardeners worldwide.