12 Stunning Philodendron Varieties You Need to Know About

If the usual green is too predictable for you, there are other more flamboyant varieties that may tickle your fancy. Decorate your home instead with a Philodendron Pink Princess, White Knight, White Wizard or Prince Albert. Variegations in crimson, lime, golden yellow, white, or bubblegum pink are these varieties’ claim to fame.

A Complete Guide To Philodendron Types

Few plants have swept the world by storm as dramatically as the Philodendron. This tropical plant family is as diverse as it is intriguing. With names such as Pink Princess, White Wizard, and Xanadu, you know you’re in for some plant pageantry.

It doesn’t matter where you are in the plant expertise ladder — whether you’re a beginning plant parent, a gardening enthusiast, or a top-tier plant collector, you’re bound to fall for the Philodendron’s spell.

What is a Philodendron?

What makes Philodendrons so phenomenal? Philodendron varieties are popular the world over because of their beautiful foliage and easy-to-care for status. Their traits are telltale of their tree-hugging nature (roughly translated, ‘Philodendron’ means ‘tree-loving’ in Greek) and South American roots.

Philodendrons absolutely love warm, humid climates. No surprise there as the rainforest is their natural habitat. Give your Philodendron plenty of moisture and bright, indirect sunlight, some plant food, and you’ll have a thriving houseplant with lush leaves in no time.

Philodendrons are famous for their versatility as well. You can grow them in a pot indoors or a garden plot outdoors. They can adapt as long as you use well-draining soil — that, and plenty of moisture in the air.

The good news is, there’s so much more to do than good old gardening when you’re caring for a Philodendron. Aside from their bold, verdant foliage, Philodendrons are hailed in plant collecting circles for their air-purifying properties. They’re also marvellous as ground covers. With a few fast-growing Philodendrons here and there, you can finally say goodbye to bald spots in your garden.

When you’re a Philodendron plant parent, you’ll find that the benefits just keep on multiplying. You can even turn your frond fixation into a profitable hobby — most Philodendron types are easy to grow and can be quickly propagated through cuttings.

Which Philodendron is right for you?

In t he Philodendron world, fascinating characters flourish. Larger-than-life personalities, gentle giants, and fresh air benefactors populate the whole amalgam of the Philodendron family. You’ll also find low-key wallflowers here, but they’re few and far in between.

With a merry mix of ornamentals at your fingertips, how do you know which type is right for you? To help you decide, we’ve compiled a quick guide for you.

Colour

Thinking of sprucing up your interiors? A Philodendron’s bright green foliage will add a fresh splash of colour to a blank wall or empty corner in your home.

If the usual green is too predictable for you, there are other more flamboyant varieties that may tickle your fancy. Decorate your home instead with a Philodendron Pink Princess, White Knight, White Wizard or Prince Albert. Variegations in crimson, lime, golden yellow, white, or bubblegum pink are these varieties’ claim to fame.

Size

Philodendrons come in a wide range of sizes. From tiny potted varieties to supersized tree-like types, you’re sure to find one that meets your needs.

Nature of growth

Another factor to consider when deciding which Philodendron to pick is your plant’s growth nature. Philodendrons come in both self-heading and climbing varieties.

Self-heading varieties are what we like to call the prim and proper Philodendrons of the bunch. These types are upright growers and don’t need structural support at all. Self-headers are no slouchers. They’re known for their majestic stance and contained growth patterns.

Climbing types are generally fast growers and can quickly cover bare spaces. These varieties need structural support to aid their vertical growth. Leave them unpruned and unaided by support and you just might find a replica of a South American rainforest crawling in your home. The voracious vining type of growth may not be for everyone, but if you’re going for the wild, untamed vibe, climbing Philodendrons are just right for you.

Leaf shape

You’ll be pleased to know that Philodendron leaves come in different shapes. Choose among heart-shaped, oval, or palm-like foliage. There are even varieties that have lobed, finger-like leaves. Now that’s something unique to brighten up your home or garden!

Planting site

When choosing the right Philodendron to buy, you’ll want to consider where you’ll place your plant. Most varieties need bright, indirect sunlight, but some types can thrive in darker interiors with moderate lighting. Some Philodendrons are also sturdier and can withstand outdoor wind and heat better than other types.

Ease of care

As a Philodendron owner, you’ll want to ask yourself how much time and energy you’re willing to commit to your plant. Low-maintenance varieties are the best choice if you have a busy schedule, or are just starting out in your plant parent journey. Don’t worry about finding one in your local nursery — more often than not, you’re bound to encounter a Philodendron type that is easy to care for.

For ongoing care and maintenance of larger varieties, it’s helpful to have regular gardening services done professionally. Even if most of these Philodendron types are hardy, you may need a hand managing your Philodendrons’ sheer size and fast growth.

12 Stunning Philodendron Varieties You Need to Know About

Debbie Wolfe is an author and freelance writer who specializes in home and garden, food and cooking, parenting, and travel topics. She is also an accomplished photographer and is currently the senior visual editor for Dotdash Meredith.

Emily Peterson is an experienced fact-checker and editor with Bachelor’s degrees in English Literature and French.

There are more than 450 philodendron varieties in the world. These wildly popular tropical plants are categorized by their growing habit: climbing or upright. They are available in myriad colors, sizes, and textures. Best of all, they are extremely easy to grow, making them a popular houseplant choice for new and seasoned gardeners alike. If you are ready to dive into the world of philodendrons, check out these stunning varieties that will make an excellent addition to your indoor garden.

Philodendron Care Tips

In general, philodendrons prefer partial sun exposure. To get the best color on variegated leaves, make sure the plant receives bright, indirect light. A tropical plant, philodendrons prefer a warm, humid environment, which you can imitate by setting the houseplant in a warm spot and providing moisture with a humidifier or plant mister. Loamy, well-drained soil is best. Provide a moderate amount of water, and watch the leaves—drooping leaves could mean you’re over- or under-watering. For more specific philodendron care tips, check out the varieties below.

Heartleaf Philodendron

This classic trailing philodendron is one of the easiest plants to grow. It’s adaptable to a variety of light conditions and forgiving if you neglect it. Heartleaf philodendron features fast-growing, heart-shaped leaves that emerge bronze, then quickly turn into a glossy green. The leaves can range from 2 to 3 inches wide and can grow to over 8 inches wide if allowed to climb. It makes a beautiful hanging plant with vines that reach 4 or 5 feet indoors.

Philodendron Hope Selloum

Popular for its eye-catching, sculptural leaves, philodendron hope selloum have seen showing up on Instagram feeds and in designer homes. To help it thrive, place this houseplant in a spot that gets bright, indirect light, and keep the soil moist but avoid overwatering. Rotate the pot every few days if the plant starts to slant toward the sun.

Imperial Green and Imperial Red

The philodendron imperial green is an upright variety prized for its smooth, glossy green leaves. In the imperial red variety, the young leaves are a bright red, maturing to burgundy red-purple and ultimately dark glossy green when mature. Both types feature large leaves that fan out in all directions, making them attractive foliage plants in any space. Both imperial varieties prefer moderate to bright, indirect sunlight but can tolerate shadier surroundings.

Philodendron Prince of Orange

Like the imperials, Prince of Orange is an upright variety with colorful leaves that emerge a bright orange and turn a light green as they mature. This exotic-looking plant produces a tight cluster of leaves around a central stem, and the leafstalk and new leaf spears are a colorful, deep red. Prince of Orange likes moderate to bright, indirect sunlight but can tolerate shady conditions.

Philodendron Erubescens (aka Pink Princess Philodendron)

Known for variegated leaves in a magnificent shade of pink, it’s easy to see how the “pink princess philodendron” got its name. For the most vibrant color, make sure this tropical houseplant receives enough sunlight. It thrives in high humidity, so consider a humidifier or mist the plant regularly.

Philodendron Brasil

This fun trailing variety features heart-shaped leaves in different shades of green and yellow. The trailing plant gets its name due to its close resemblance to the Brazilian flag. Brasil shows its variegation best in medium to bright indirect light. Although it can survive in lower light conditions, it will lose its variegation if it doesn’t get enough.

Philodendron Micans

Micans is a heart-shaped trailing variety that features velvety, textured leaves, earning this plant the nickname “velvet leaf philodendron.” Its foliage can look deep green or rich purple, depending on the light, and its new leaves emerge in bright chartreuse, edged with pink. Micans looks elegant cascading in a hanging planter and is equally lovely when trained on a trellis. It likes medium to bright indirect light. If you are a fan of exciting foliage on a plant, Micans makes a perfect addition to your collection.

Burle Marx Philodendron

Named after the architect Roberto Burle Marx, this stunning upright philodendron looks good in your outdoor landscape or indoors. The plant produces copious paddle-shaped, shiny green leaves with deep lobes and delicate pale veining. It makes a lovely statement piece when in a pot and is a fast-growing cover plant in the landscape (only in warmer climates). Burle Marx thrives in bright but indirect light but can live in low light too.

Xanadu Philodendron

Xanadu features broad, shiny leaves with multiple lobes perched on long, sturdy stems. The plant has an upright growing habit but is wider than it is long, making it a perfect fit for wide-open spaces in your home or on your porch. Xanadu adapts to various conditions, is easy to grow, and is inexpensive for its size.

Philodendron Brandtianum

If you are a fan of variegation, brandtianum will not disappoint. This lovely vining plant features heart-shaped, deep green leaves with beautiful silver striations. Emerging leaves feature a yellow-orange hue that morphs into dark green and silver shades when mature. Although brandtianum is a vining variety, it has a full and upright habit. This philodendron does well in medium light but will show off its variegation in a location with bright, indirect light.

Philodendron Birkin

Birkins are an upright variety developed as a cross between philodendron Congo and philodendron imperial green. Its foliage features white and bright yellow striped variegation that pops against its colorful green leaves with proper light. In addition, each leaf features a unique variegation pattern, making this plant a gorgeous show-stopper in any room. Birkins thrive best in bright indirect light.

Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma

Often referred to as mini monstera deliciosa, rhaphidophora tetrasperma features similar fenestrated leaves and a vining growth habit. However, unlike monstera, the leaves will stay small and will not take over your space as quickly as its look-a-like. Rhaphidophora tetrasperma thrives in bright, indirect light and consistent moisture.