Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Garden

How to grow and care for philodendrons

The complete guide to this leafy, tropical houseplant. - by Olivia Hart
  • 22 Sep 2021

Philodendrons – and the popular fiddle leaf philodendron (aka the bipennifolium) variety – are one of the easiest plants you can grow, in a pot, or in the ground. In fact, any novice garden can do it!

WATCH: Melissa King styles a room with stunning indoor plants

They’re happy indoors or can be trained up a trellis. No matter the display, these little plants are survivors.

Native to tropical rainforests where they can be found woven around tree trunks, philodendrons are now more commonly found as houseplants. They’ve become so popular they rival the fiddle leaf fig for the top spot.

Whether you grow them in pots, propagate them from stems or put them front and centre in a pretty pot, philodendrons are as versatile as they come.

Here’s everything to know.  

philodendron
Unsplash

How to grow philodendrons

Philodendrons adapt easily to conditions inside the home, making them a popular indoor plant choice. Vining philodendrons will need a post, a trellis or other supporting structure to climb on. However, non-climbing varieties will grow upright in the ground or a pot and need a wide berth to grow.

Aspect

Indirect sunlight. Pop them near a window in a shady spot so the sun’s rays don’t directly touch the foliage. Coloured leaf varieties can handle a bright light with a spot of shade.

Water

After watering, allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering again as they don’t like sitting in wet soil. Use the length of your index finger to the first knuckle to test the soil for moisture. Upright varieties are more tolerant of drought.

Fertiliser

Feed philodendrons with a liquid foliage houseplant fertiliser monthly in spring and summer when their growth is active, and every six to eight weeks in autumn and winter.  

Pests

Avoid fungus gnats and fruit flies by applying a layer of gnat barrier to the top of potting mix if need be.

Fungus

Philodendrons can be prone to a few types of fungus – leaf spot (dark brown lesions), anthracnose (yellowing leaves and leaf drop), pythium root rot (yellow/brown leaves that remain attached) and southern blight (cotton-like masses). The best way to prevent fungal disease is to avoid overhead watering and ensure well-draining soil. Remove dead leaves and roots as you notice them.

philodendron
Getty

How to care for philodendrons

Caring for a philodendron is easy to do, and if you watch for signals they can even tell you want they need. If the leaves turn yellow, they’re getting too much sun. If they droop, they're getting too much or not enough water. Small leaves and slow growth mean they need more fertiliser and pale leaves means they need more nutrients.

Though they can thrive indoors, they still enjoy the occasional stay outdoors in a shady spot. Take this as an opportunity to also flush the soil with fresh water and to wipe the leaves clean with a damp cloth.

Repot your plant every two years with fresh soil in order to purge the build-up of salt deposits from the water which can lead to leaf burn. If your philodendron is long and leggy, feel free to give it a quick trim.

philodendron leaves
Getty

How to propagate philodendrons

Climbing varieties are much easier to propagate because they have pre-formed roots. All you need to do is cut from the stem with a leaf attached and place in either a glass of water or moist potting soil.

  • Garden
  • Indoor Plants
Olivia Hart

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

Melissa makes colourful colander hanging baskets

Melissa makes colourful colander hanging baskets

How to care for indoor ferns

How to care for indoor ferns

How to save a dying plant

How to save a dying plant

9 of best indoor garden ideas

9 of best indoor garden ideas

{headline}

{headline}

How to care for an elephant ears plant

How to care for an elephant ears plant

This is the magical succulent that will transform your garden

This is the magical succulent that will transform your garden

How to make an easy plant stand

How to make an easy plant stand

{headline}

{headline}

How to make a terrarium in a jar

How to make a terrarium in a jar

Four clever indoor plant hacks to save money

Four clever indoor plant hacks to save money

 This stylish side table doubles as a terrarium

This stylish side table doubles as a terrarium

Adam and Melissa make planters and pots

Adam and Melissa make planters and pots

A new service now delivers gorgeous plants to your door every month

A new service now delivers gorgeous plants to your door every month

How you're killing your fiddle leaf fig

How you're killing your fiddle leaf fig

The trendiest plant of 2018

The trendiest plant of 2018

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription