Philodendron scandens

Philodendron Scandens

Philodendron scandens or Heart leaf Philodendron or Sweet heart plant is a common house plant because it is very easy to grow. The Heart leaf Philodendron is known as the sweetheart plant because of the unique heart shape of the leaves. Philodendron scandens are basically climbers but pruning them now and then they can be made bushy.

With glossy, leathery, evergreen heart shaped leaves sweet heart plants grow well in partial shade at moderate temperatures. They require well drained soil which should always be kept moist at the same time do not over water them. Over watering results in yellowing of the  leaves.

You can see young leaves glossy with light bronze in color but then quickly turns green. It can grow up to 4’ height. Prune them now and then to keep them bushy and full. If you do not pinch them it becomes single stem and appears lanky. You may see variegated sweet heart’s too. You have Philodendron Scandens  Aureum which has yellow (light green) foliage, P.Scandens Cordatum with green and yellow in the center.

You can see young leaves glossy with light bronze in color but then quickly turns green. It can grow up to 4’ height. Prune them now and then to keep them bushy and full. If you do not pinch them it becomes single stem and appears lanky. You may see variegated sweet heart’s too.

This South American evergreen can thrive well in pots for year with little care. This plant likes occasional misting and by misting you can keep its leaves clean. Mature plant may produce green and white cluster of flowers. Occasional feeding is necessary. You can feed them with liquid fertilizers in half the recommended dosage or you can add well decomposed organic matter.

Pests, even though there is no severe pests attack you need to be bit careful about insects,  leaf eating caterpillars and  fungal problems.

Propagation is through cuttings.

happy gardening………………………………………..