Different Types of Philodendron - Names & Images

I would like to introduce a New Series on Indoor Plants

and hope to come up with 10 Best Indoor Plants for Beginners.

I'm guessing that if you had already had hands on other hardy plants and you are ready for a new challenge - these fall in more less as medium level plant to grow and maintenance.

Let me introduce these plants - Philodendron Species

Here in the Collection:

Philodendron - NeonPhilodendron -  Brasil 
Philodendron - Neon
Philodendron - Lemon Lime  / Philodendron - Ceylon Golden
Philodendron Hederaceum "Micans"
Philodendron Lacerum
Philodendron Birkin
Philodendron Scandens
Philodendron - Burle Marx

New Additions:

Philodendron Raja Congo
Philodendron Hastatum - Silver Sword
Philodendron Bipennifolium (Horsehead Philodendron)

Even though their similarities are very close with the pothos species, 

philodendron somehow falls more on a high end category on care and maintenance. 

I wouldn't recommend this for new beginners as they are slightly more pricey and difficult to care for. 

Identifying their difference between pothos and philodendron can be challenging.

Regardless, they are still considered one of the Best Indoor Plants to have for indoor setting.

I had found that they are highly sought after and starting to get in trend in the plant market as the most popular plant.

One main factor on their difference is that philodendron are able to produce inflorescence whereas the pothos don't. Pothos may have thicker and larger leaves and able to grow more vigorously in comparison whereas philodendron may not but again some species do tend to grow larger leaves.

Another key factor that is often missed is that Phildendron often have a cataphylls (a leaf sheaths) whereas pothos do not. Philodendron also tend to have a longer tail at the leaf end.

Pothos tend to fold their leaves upwards whereas philodendron do not.
Their common may be tricky with many overlapping common names.

Here picture top :

Philodendron - Neon

This variety do not have any splash marking like the rest of the variegated types.
The tones are very much like lime colored with a heart shaped leaf.
If you are a new with this plant, you might think that this had either had too much exposure to direct sun or it's sick with something.

The reality is this is one of the newer cultivars recently introduced in the market.
It's yet to pick up its pace into popularity as this plant is sold on a higher price for a small portion. This variety is a slow grower in comparison with other cultivars.

Here picture top :

Philodendron - Brasil 

Brasil is a marvelous plant. I had not seen anything so beautiful like this one.
No two leaves are the same.
The splashes somehow embedded into the leaf shape forming folds and dentures.

Just like Neon, it had been recently introduced in the market.
I had noticed that Brazil tend to switch itself back to Neon and vise versa.
I believe it's still unstable and reverts to its original cultivar.

Here picture top :

Philodendron - Lemon Lime

It appears to have a slight variation of leaf structure but having the same color tones with Philodendron Lime (which is more on a heart shape) I realized that these types do not grow big in leaf shape size rather grow big by volume rather than increasing the size of the plant.

I had some confusion with Philodendron Lemon Lime as it looks very similar to Ceylon Golden.

Another new cultivar had been introduced that has the same appearance which is known as Philodendron Moonlight.

I realized that Moonlight seemed to appear more compact and has red stem unlike this common ones.

Here picture top :

Philodendron Hederaceum "Micans"

I had fallen in love with this one,

it has a heart shaped leaf with a tail that has an interesting feature of a velvety sheen like gloss on the foliage surface that it's so amazing. Almost skip a heart beat.

It does look very similar to heart leaf philodendron scandens,
the only difference is that this one owns the velvety sheen.

It does however look so fragile and may easily get damaged if handled roughly. 

Not a hardy kind that handles the storm well type of plant. 

Do place this one where there is less or no moment as the leaves can easily get bruised and damaged.

Here picture top :

Philodendron Lacerum

Now introducing the heavy-weights on this plant list.

Recently there is a new classification where it is now known as Thaumatophyllum sp.

Years ago, Xanadu was known as a philodendron but reclassified to this new category.

Coming to that, Philodendron lacerum does have that features but still fall in this category (or I might be wrong as they might renamed it)
Anyway, featuring this unique philodendron that breaks the pothos (heart shaped) foliage norms.

There are others too like Philodendron gloriosum which appears more like a Colocasia than anything else. Not forgetting the pink leaf varieties "Pink Princess" and another like Thaumatophyllum leaf type : "Florida Beauty"which is quite elusive and rare in the market.

Philodendron Birkin

 👆Click on the name above to the link for more detailed information 👆

There are so many new varieties that had been released in the market that is difficult to keep up with the new cultivars.

Philodendron Birkin - I thought I saw a yellow variegated version of a Canna Lily or mistaken it for this one. Seriously I really can't tell the difference.

It seemed that these are very much grow like a dwarf type appearing to be very compact without the trailing vine. Only time will tell when they outgrow the pot from their comfort zone.

Here picture top :

Philodendron Scandens

Commonly known as a Heart Leaf Phildendron.

I had almost mistaken this for a Betel Leaf plant only to realize that the elegant appearance of the Heart shaped foliage appeared to be more rounder than an oval shape.

If its not for the elongated tail leaf structure, 

I would definitely would had considered this one as a pothos species. 

Identity and labels for plant ID are rare or virtually none when purchasing them in the local nurseries here. And so, one have to their one research in identifying them.

The stem do feel frail and sensitive and can easily snap & break if you are not careful. 

I wonder if nature intend them to be that way for nature  means of self-propagation system.

Here picture top :

Philodendron - Burle Marx

I find this philodendron is quite hardy compared to the rest of the types.

Burle Marx appears similar to scandens but much longer and bushier. 

They do tend to fill up all the gaps in between giving that rich foliage and arrayed like shields. 

One thing though - these do tend to appear messy, tangled with thick vine and root-ball. Separating and replanting them can be quite a challenge.

It would be good to properly plan and consider their invasive growing condition first 

if you plant to plant them in an open setting. 

I would recommend that these to be placed in a confided singular potted plant for easy pruning and maintenance.

NEW ADDITIONS:

Philodendron Raja Congo

 👆Click on the name above to the link for more detailed information 👆

Philodendron Hastatum - Silver Sword

 👆Click on the name above to the link for more detailed information 👆

Philodendron Bipennifolium (Horsehead Philodendron)

 👆Click on the name above to the link for more detailed information 👆

How to Care for Philodendron:

Very similar needs equivalent to pothos.

There are no "only one way" to care and grow them.

I handle mine more in a heavy watering regime - like an aquatic zone and these had acclimated in my zone and conditions.

Some say not to drown them in water,

others water them in intervals as letting them to dry out before the next watering

(keeping them more on the drier side)

What I can suggest to you is to experiment and observe what works best for you.

But there are some exceptions that need to be observed such as:

1) They don't do well with conventional fertilizers.

One of my botanist friend mentioned to me that they produce their own nitrogen and therefore anything extra can be fatal for these kind of species. I would suggest to use the high quality foliage fertilizer with half strength dilution and observe and see how the plant behaves. If it doesn't suffer any burns and shows a robust growth then that dosage is ideal for them.

2) These are very much epiphytes - and so they prepare some sort of trailing, hanging, dangling and tangling. Their roots don't go deep, so deep pots are quite unnecessary.

An ideal pot or garden space would be one with a totem for it to cling on.

Unless it's the large variety, the common ones falls in this category.

3) I don't expect them to survive if they start to rot and turn yellow but pruning them before the rot spreading to other healthy plant is a very important.

Somehow - I find that it can be infected with bacteria (rot) which can be infectious.

4) Most of these hybrids are very sensitive to pest attack - especially scale insect and mealy bug - and these are often hidden in between the node (leaf and stalk)

And worst - they are not easy to eradicate and need a long process of pesticide regime.

- and so, take good care to check the plant before purchase before introducing them into your garden.

5) The Main Key Element:

Bright Indirect Light, Fast Draining Medium & Well Balanced Watering Regime.

This dictates the success of growth & maintenance of this particular genus.

How to Propagate Philodendron:

Unlike most plants, this one rarely form seeds.

The best practical way to propagate them is through stem cuttings. The only setback is that this one is considered more sensitive and so more care is required as the cutting do not succumb to stem rot.

1) Always (I mean the Emphasis) Sterile the Tools before using them.

You can either wash them first soap and soak the cutting tool (scissors or knife) with alcohol or heat up on fire.

Again, do not immediately use a hot burning scissors, wait for it to cool down.

 (I almost forgot and was about to cut a plant - almost cooked it in the process)

2) Rooting in Water.

To change the water often on daily basis if you are rooting the cutting in water. This will keep the water fresh from harboring bacteria that might cause further damage in stem or root rot.

3) Gentle on the New Roots

Keep the medium ready, Put in the plant first and pour in the medium and compress gently. I had seen people roughly force the cutting into a hardened potted medium and the stem snaps in that process.

There are approximately 489 species of Philodendron according to Wikipedia.

I'm pretty sure its had been updated, reclassified and some new cultivar and species been discovered.

The one thing that make a difference is to chose and have a collection based on what pleases you and the availability of space and plant management on your side.

Do share with me your thoughts and experience with your philodendron in comment box below:

Why you find them special and gives you that joyful, fulfilling garden experience.