Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium

Natural home of the green heartleaf Philodendron

The natural range of Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium extends from Mexico to Honduras. It grows in warm, humid tropical forest.

Its thin vines climb through surrounding vegetation, forming small aerial roots along the stem wherever they find a suitable surface.

Growing the green heartleaf Philodendron

For fuller vines, keep it fairly bright. The plant copes with lower light, but new leaves tend to sit farther apart. Move it closer to bright indirect light if the stems start looking sparse.

Use it as a trailer or climber. Leave the vine loose for a hanging plant, or guide the stem up a support if you want more upright growth.

Check the top of the pot before watering. When it feels dry, water the mix evenly and allow all excess to leave through the drainage holes.

Keep the roots in an open mix. A bark-rich blend works well. Warm household conditions are usually enough as long as the plant is protected from cold draughts.

Troubleshooting the green heartleaf Philodendron

• Older leaves yellow while the pot remains damp: Give the mix more time to dry and remove water from any outer pot. Poorly draining, compacted mix should be refreshed.
• The stems develop long bare stretches: The plant usually needs more usable light. Move it gradually toward a brighter indirect position; a well-supported climber may also make larger leaves.
• Leaf tips become papery and brown: Check whether the pot has been drying too far. Repeated feeding can also leave salts behind, especially if a crust is visible.
• You notice webbing, fine speckling or silver marks: Mites tend to hide under mature leaves, while thrips favour new growth. Check those hiding places, then use the treatment suited to the pest that is there.

Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium (Philodendron scandens) is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

About the names Philodendron scandens and Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.” Hederaceum is Latin for ivy-like and refers to the plant’s trailing and climbing habit.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Philodendron in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 780.

Nicolaus Joseph von Jacquin first described it as Arum hederaceum in 1760 in Enumeratio Systematica Plantarum, page 31. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott later placed it in Philodendron as Philodendron hederaceum in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 780.

The older name Philodendron scandens is also widely used for this plant. Karl Heinrich Emil Koch and Hermann Ludwig Sello first described Philodendron scandens in 1853 in the Berlin seed index, appendix page 14. Kew’s World Checklist treats it as a synonym of Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum.