Philodendron is a genus of more than 600 species from the tropical forests of Central and South America, according to NC State Extension. For choosing a houseplant, the most useful split is by growth habit:
- Climbing (vining) types produce aerial roots that grip a pole or trellis, or they trail from a hanging pot. Heartleaf philodendron and blushing philodendron are climbers.
- Self-heading (non-climbing) types have very short stems and hold their leaves in a rosette. Tree philodendron (selloum), ‘Birkin’ and Xanadu are self-heading.
That one distinction tells you whether to buy a moss pole or floor space. NC State also notes that young and mature plants of the same species can look very different, which makes identification hard.
13 philodendron varieties at a glance
Sizes are indoor sizes from NC State Extension where given.
| Variety | Species | Habit | Leaves | Size indoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heartleaf philodendron | P. hederaceum | Climbing / trailing | Solid dark green, heart-shaped, glossy | Vines to 4 m (13 ft) |
| ‘Brasil’ | P. hederaceum | Climbing / trailing | Yellow to light green centre stripe, dark green border | Like heartleaf |
| ’Lemon Lime’ | P. hederaceum | Climbing / trailing | Bright yellow to chartreuse | Like heartleaf |
| ’Rio’ and ‘Silver Stripe’ | P. hederaceum | Climbing / trailing | Silver and cream centre, dark green edges | Like heartleaf |
| Micans (velvet heartleaf) | Sold as P. micans; NC State lists the name under P. hederaceum | Climbing / trailing | Velvety heart-shaped leaves | Like heartleaf |
| Blushing philodendron | P. erubescens | Climbing | Glossy green, red to copper underside, purplish-red petioles | About 90 cm (3 ft) tall |
| ’Pink Princess’ | P. erubescens | Upright, vining | Dark purplish-green with pink variegation | Like the species |
| ’Prince of Orange’ | P. erubescens | Non-vining, compact | New leaves orange, turning copper, then deep green | Compact |
| ’Birkin’ | Hybrid | Self-heading, upright | Dark green with cream, yellow or light green pinstripes | 15–90 cm (6 in–3 ft) |
| Tree philodendron (“selloum”) | P. bipinnatifidum | Self-heading | Deeply lobed, dark green, up to 90 cm (3 ft) long | 1.2–3 m (4–10 ft) tall and 1.8–3 m (6–10 ft) wide |
| Xanadu | P. xanadu (syn. Thaumatophyllum xanadu) | Self-heading, mounding | Deeply lobed, glossy green | 0.9–1.5 m (3–5 ft) tall and wide |
| Silver Sword | P. hastatum | Climbing | Metallic silver to silvery-green, sword-shaped | Up to 3–4.6 m (10–15 ft) tall on support |
| Black-gold philodendron | P. melanochrysum | Vining | Large, velvety deep green with yellow veins | Large climber; rare |
NC State also lists P. verrucosum (Ecuador philodendron), with velvety leaves, light green veins and burgundy undersides, and P. mayoi, a climber with palm-frond-like leaves.
Heartleaf philodendron and its cultivars
Philodendron hederaceum is the philodendron most people own. NC State describes it as a rapidly growing climbing or trailing vine that can survive for long periods in extremely low light. The species name means “ivy-like”.
Its cultivars differ only in colour:
- ‘Brasil’: variegated centre stripe of yellow to light green, with dark green borders.
- ‘Lemon Lime’: bright yellow to chartreuse foliage.
- ‘Cream Splash’ and ‘Gabby’: light green and cream variegation; ‘Gabby’ can become almost entirely cream.
- ‘Rio’ and ‘Silver Stripe’: silver and cream variegation in the centre.
Variegated forms have less green leaf area, so give them brighter, indirect light than plain heartleaf.
Philodendron micans is sold as a separate plant with velvety leaves. NC State lists P. micans as a former name under P. hederaceum, so treat it as heartleaf for care.
Heartleaf is often confused with pothos. NC State’s checks are on the new growth: heartleaf philodendron has conspicuous stipules (papery sheaths) that fall messily as leaves age and its leaf stalks are not grooved. See our pothos varieties guide and pothos vs philodendron comparison.
Blushing philodendron, Pink Princess and Prince of Orange
Philodendron erubescens is native to Colombia and can climb to 18 m (60 ft) in the wild, but NC State says indoors it typically reaches about 90 cm (3 ft) tall and 40 cm (16 in) wide. The name means “to blush”: leaves, petioles and spathe all carry red tones. Leaves are 23–46 cm (9–18 in) long.
NC State lists these cultivars:
- ‘Pink Princess’: upright, vining, dark purplish-green leaves with pink variegation.
- ‘White Princess’: green leaves splashed with white.
- ‘Prince of Orange’: non-vining and compact; new leaves emerge orange, turn copper, and mature to deep green.
- ‘Red Emerald’: a climber with deep red petioles; new leaves lime green, maturing deep green.
- ‘Green Emerald’: vining, glossy deep green leaves with reddish-purple undersides.
- ‘Tangerine’: a compact hybrid of ‘Moonlight’ and ‘Prince of Orange’ with orange to bronze leaves.
NC State advises watering at the base and keeping water off the leaves to prevent leaf spot. Monitor for spider mites, mealybugs, aphids and scale.
Birkin
‘Birkin’ is a hybrid introduced in 2010, according to NC State. Its origin is unclear: it is believed to be either a rare mutation of ‘Rojo Congo’ or a cross between ‘Congo’ and ‘Imperial Green’. It grows upright and slowly to 15–90 cm (6 in–3 ft) tall and wide. Its glossy dark green leaves carry cream, yellow or light green pinstripes that become more pronounced as the plant matures. No two leaves have the same pattern.
Tree philodendron (selloum) and Xanadu: the big self-heading types
Tree philodendron (P. bipinnatifidum, formerly P. selloanum) is the plant sold as “philodendron selloum” or split-leaf philodendron. NC State gives an indoor size of 1.2–3 m (4–10 ft) tall and 1.8–3 m (6–10 ft) wide, with deeply lobed leaves up to 90 cm (3 ft) long. It reclines with age and sends down aerial roots from the trunk.
Care notes from NC State:
- It prefers high light and moderate humidity but tolerates low light.
- It does not tolerate salt buildup. Flush the soil regularly or water with distilled water.
Xanadu forms a dense mound 0.9–1.5 m (3–5 ft) tall and wide, with deeply lobed glossy leaves. It was sold in the nursery trade long before it had a formal species name and is believed to be native to southern Brazil and Paraguay. Indoors NC State recommends bright, indirect light and 18–24 °C (65–75 °F). Yellowing leaves signal overwatering. Repot container plants every one to two years.
For a large floor plant, see our large indoor plants guide.
Silver Sword and the velvet collectors’ philodendrons
Silver Sword (P. hastatum) is a fast-growing climber from Brazil. NC State notes it can reach 3–4.6 m (10–15 ft) indoors on a support. Its arrow-shaped juvenile leaves lengthen and can become three-lobed with age; they are metallic silver to silvery-green with copper undersides.
Black-gold philodendron (P. melanochrysum) and Ecuador philodendron (P. verrucosum) are vining species with large, velvety leaves. NC State lists P. melanochrysum as rare. Like other climbing philodendrons, they attach to a pole or trellis with aerial roots, so give them a support.
Care that applies to every type
From the NC State Extension genus profile:
- Light: bright, indirect light. Direct sun can scorch the leaves, and some varieties need more light than others.
- Temperature: 18–29 °C (65–85 °F). Philodendrons are very sensitive to cold, so keep them out of drafts.
- Soil and water: moist, well-drained soil high in organic matter.
- Repotting: repot when root-bound, ideally in spring.
- Propagation: stem cuttings or layering.
For watering, light and troubleshooting, use our philodendron care guide.
Pets
Every philodendron in this guide is listed by NC State as a problem for cats and dogs because of calcium oxalate crystals. Symptoms include pain and swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue and throat, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. The ASPCA lists heartleaf and split-leaf philodendron as toxic to dogs and cats. The sap can also irritate skin, so wear gloves when pruning.
Updated October 14, 2026: restored as a variety comparison using NC State Extension species and cultivar data. Earlier unsupported figures remain removed.
References
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Philodendron (genus), Philodendron hederaceum, Philodendron erubescens, Philodendron ‘Birkin’, Philodendron bipinnatifidum, Philodendron xanadu, Philodendron hastatum
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Heartleaf Philodendron, Split Leaf Philodendron