Philodendrons have taken the world of plant lovers by storm with their diverse and unique leaf styles. They are loved by beginners and expert green thumbs due to their hardiness, robust growth, ease of care, and fantastic texture and sizes. They are good indoor and outdoor plants and can adapt if you use well-draining soil. Philodendrons have several varieties, and many of them are common as houseplants. In this article, we will tell you the top 20 varieties of philodendron to make at least one of them a part of your home. So let’s start.

1. What is a Philodendron?

The philodendron is a type of flowering plant with beautiful foliage. Philodendron means ‘tree-loving’ in Greek due to the climbing traits in several varieties. Philodendrons are found outdoors in tropical climates, provided the proper growing conditions.

1.1. Philodendron Care Tips:

Their big green shiny leaves make your house look beautiful and homey. Philodendrons are relatively easy to take care of, and they can survive with less water and sunlight. As the rainforest is the natural habitat of philodendron varieties, they prefer warm and humid climates. Give your Philodendron plenty of moisture and bright, indirect sunlight, and you’ll have a thriving houseplant with lush leaves in no time. 

Also Read: Is Philodendron a Good Indoor Plant?

1.2. Are Philodendrons Poisonous?

Although philodendrons are famous houseplants but their foliage is poisonous to people and pets. The trails of climbing philodendrons or big shiny leaves of upright ones become attractive for babies and pets. Therefore, keeping them out of their reach is important because, if ingested, they can cause philodendron poisoning, which will need emergency treatment.

2. Different philodendron varieties:

Philodendrons have more than 450 varieties around the world. They are usually categorized by their growing habit, i.e.:

1. Climbing
2. Upright

2.1. Climbing Philodendrons:

As the name suggests, the stem can climb the nearby vertical surface with the rootlets present on it. They usually have small leaves of heart shape. The trails of climbing philodendrons can make a beautiful statement in your indoor space. Some common varieties of climbing philodendron are:

1. Silver Cloud Philodendron:

Scientific Name: Philodendron Mamei

You can see silver hues at the top of the leaves of this houseplant. You can see that the leaves give a strange color phenomenon and make the leaves a unique sight to look at. The plant grows up to 3.5 inches and makes itself a perfect candidate for a houseplant.

Plant Care:

Water: Philodendron Mamei likes itself moist but does not overwater it. Watering this plant weekly is enough.

Sunlight: You can put this plant somewhere bright to get indirect sunlight to make its leaves shine. 

2. Heartleaf Philodendron

Scientific Name: Philodendron Hederaceum

Like its name, Heartleaf Philodendron is full of small heart-shaped green leaves that are the real deal in this philodendron type. Sweetheart Philodendron is a common houseplant that can live up to decades if you give it your proper attention. You may also find small greenish-white flowers on it after maturation.

Plant Care:

Water: You must use lukewarm water for the soil as its roots do not take cold water well. Water the plant when the soil has dried out. 

Sunlight: Indirect sunlight is the only way to keep this plant thriving. If its leaves aren’t growing normally or turning yellow, try to change its location.

3. Brasil Philodendron

Scientific Name: Philodendron Hederaceum

This beautiful little philodendron variety is very common as houseplants. Their leaves are shaped like hearts and have a yellowish-green color. You may also find it interesting that Brasil Philodendron was named after the Brazilian Flag because of the color of its leaves.

Plant Care:

Water: You can water it once a week when its soil dries almost one inch.

Sunlight: You can put this plant in moderate light as too much sunlight can be harmful.

4. Oak Leaf Philodendron

Scientific Name: Philodendron pedatum

Also known as philodendron pedatum, it is a low-maintenance plant that can grow up to several feet. Its big, oaky leaves often fall over, bringing an aesthetic sense to the plant’s environment. The leaves can grow up to a foot if the plant is properly cared for.

Plant Care:

Water: Keep the soil moist and water it once it has dried out an inch.

Sunlight: Bright indirect light is the only right thing for this plant.

5. Philodendron Pink Princess

Scientific Name: Philodendron Erubescens

Pink Princess is on everyone’s wish list, but it cannot be found that easily. Some people confuse it as Philodendron Pink Congo, but both varieties are different. The leaves of Philodendron Pink Princess are a sight for sore eyes, with green, white, and yellow hues mixed over the top of the green base.

Plant Care:

Water: Water the plant when half of the soil has dried out but do not overwater them along the way.

Sunlight: Pink Princess needs bright indirect sunlight to do its magic. Make sure it’s not getting direct sunlight.

6. Fiddle Leaf Philodendron

Scientific Name: Philodendron bipennifolium

This is a foliage plant that can grow to a tree’s length in its natural habitat. However, as a houseplant, Fiddle Leaf can get taller than other Philodendron varieties. It has a long stem with big wide, wild leaves.

Plant Care:

Water: Keep the soil moist but do not fill the pot with extra water all the time

Sunlight: You can keep them in bright light, and a little direct sunlight is also okay.

7. Marina Ruy Barbosa

Scientific Name: Philodendron Paraiso Verde

This variety of philodendrons is one of the most appealing varieties because of its leaves. Yellowish green and narrow leaves often fall around and make everyone mesmerized. It is easy to care for but hard to get.

Plant Care:

Water: Let the soil dry before watering the plant again.

Sunlight: Bright direct sunlight is best for Paraiso Verde.

8. Philodendron Jose Buono

Scientific Name: Philodendron domesticum

This houseplant can be a bit rare, but with a little digging, you can find this attractive houseplant. With its big variegated leaves with white hues, it can make a good display for your house. It can reach up to 4 inches indoors, but you can also see it growing 10 inches under favorable conditions. 

Plant Care:

Water: You have to water Jose Buono once a week in summer and every 10 days in winter.

Sunlight: You must keep this plant indoors, away from the sunlight, or else the light can scorch its beautiful leaves. 

9. Philodendron Campos

Scientific Name: Philodendron Camposportoanum

This plant with light to dark hues on the leaves makes everyone starstruck. Its leaves are often called hammer leaves, changing their shape and color continuously as they grow up. Philodendron Camposportoanum grows up to 4 inches but has variabilities throughout its structure.

Plant Care:

Water: Water the plant when the soil completely dries out.

Sunlight: It can also grow in moderate sunlight, so make sure you do not put it in direct sunlight.

10. Pigskin Philodendron

Scientific Name: Philodendron Rogosum

Philodendron Rogosum, known for its smooth leaf texture, is also known as Pigskin Philodendron. It has giant green leaves that look like leather from afar. Although you may have difficulty finding this plant, many people want it as their houseplant.

Plant Care:

Water: You can water this plant every 1-2 weeks when its soil completely dries out.

Sunlight: Both direct and indirect sunlight is suitable for this plant.

11. Philodendron Mexicanum

Scientific Name: Philodendron Latisagittum.

It is an average-height plant with long narrow leaves. This plant is perfect for your room or office as it doesn’t take up much space and makes your place look lavish. The leaves dark green color and turn darker as the plant matures.

Plant Care:

Water: Water the plant just to moisten the soil. Do not overwater it.

Sunlight: Bright sunlight seems best for Philodendron Mexicanum.

12. Philodendron Bob Cee

Scientific Name: Philodendron Bob Cee

It is a super rare philodendron. It is a must-have philodendron houseplant variety for avid collectors of plants because of the unique and attractive structure of its leaves. The leaves are narrow and pointed with saw-tooth-shaped edges. It can grow up to 4 inches but looks tall because of its thin structure. Its leaves can reach the 3-inch mark if you take care of them properly.

Plant Care:

Water: Its soil has to be slightly damp all the time.

Sunlight: It needs bright indirect sunlight to grow up to its full potential.

2.2. Upright Philodendrons:

This type has different leaves from climbing philodendrons. They are large shiny leaves with thick stems. The leaves can grow quite big, occupying a lot of space if grown indoors. Some common varieties of upright philodendron are:

1. Winterbourn Philodendron

Scientific Name: Philodendron Xanadu

Xanadu is a simple plant with long shiny leaves with cuttings around the edges. Normally it can grow to 3 feet but sometimes reaches 4 feet too. It is a low-maintenance plant that doesn’t need most of your attention on it all the time.

Plant Care:

Water: Leaving Philodendron Xanadu’s soil a little damp will help the plant to grow to its full potential. But make sure not to overwater it.

Sunlight: As with many houseplants, you shouldn’t put Xanadu in direct sunlight. Moderate to bright indirect sunlight is the only right option.

2. Philodendron White Wave

Scientific Name: Philodendron Birkin

If you love variegated philodendrons, then no power on this planet should stop you from getting Philodendron Birkin for your house. This gorgeous houseplant has yellow pin strips across its leaves, making this philodendron more beautiful than others. 

Plant Care:

Water: Philodendron Birkini loves water, so you can water it as soon as its soil is dry.

Sunlight: You can put this plant in any light except direct sunlight.

3. Philodendron Green Congo

Scientific Name: Philodendron Green Congo

Green Congo Philodendron is a low-maintenance indoor plant that usually grows up to 4 feet if taken care of properly. The big shiny leaves of this houseplant are the real beauty of it. They are bigger than normal leaf size and often look dark green.

Plant Care:

Water: As Green Congos are epiphytes, overwatering can seriously harm their growth. Ensure their soil is 3-4 inches dry to water them again.

Sunlight: Sunlight is important to plants, whether it’s directly or indirectly. Indirect sunlight to this plant can help in its growth.

4. Philodendron Moonlight

Scientific Name: Philodendron hederaceum Moonlight.

This philodendron type is mesmerizing, just like the moonlight. Moonlight Philodendron has shiny, upright yellowish-green leaves. The leaves are simple and wide and make the plant look attractive. Although it’s a hybrid of heartleaf philodendron but the leaves don’t have the trailing habit.

Plant Care:

Water: Moonlight Philodendron requires just the average amount of Water. When you see that the soil has run dry, it’s time to water them.

Sunlight: You do not need to put this plant in direct sunlight. It gets happy with a partial shade too.

5. Spadeleaf philodendron

Scientific Name: Philodendron Domesticum

This plant is commonly known for its elephant ear-shaped leaves; that’s why most people know it as elephant ear philodendron. But this name is not because of the shape of the leaves; rather, it refers to their size. These plants are one of the best types of philodendron because they do not need your attention on them all the time. You just have to give them a proper environment, and that’s it.

Plant Care:

Water: You have to keep their soil moist all the time.

Sunlight: You can put them in bright and moderate light, but make sure they are in the shade.

6. Flask Philodendron

Scientific Name: Philodendron martianum

This philodendron variety is a little different from the above-mentioned plants because of the shape of its leaves. Its elongated green leaves are the real beauty of these plants as they attractively spread out around the pot and give an appealing look. 

Plant Care:

Water: Flask Philodendron only needs the amount of water to keep the soil moist.

Sunlight: It is better to keep this plant in shade or moderate light.

7. Lacy Tree Philodendron

Scientific Name: Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum

This plant can grow to a significant length with its wide saw teeth-edged leaves. With extra care and a better environment, lacy tree philodendrons can grow up to 5 feet tall. Its leaves are the real deal for this plant.

Plant Care:

Water: Water lacy tree philodendron when the soil is 2-3 inches dry but does not overwater.

Sunlight: Bright light is best for it. You can also put it in direct sunlight if you want it to grow rapidly.

6. Philodendron Speciosum

Scientific Name: Thaumatophyllum speciosum

It is a tropical Philodendron variety that will add beauty to your lawn. It has giant leaves that spread all around, and often grow up to 4-5 feet long. The plant itself isn’t that long.

Plant Care:

Water: Water them when the soil is dry and keep the surface moist.

Sunlight: Indirect sunlight helps Philodendron Speciosum a lot in growing.

Also Read: Philodendron Varieties: 61 Different Types of Philodendron Cultivars

Conclusion:

The above-mentioned Philodendron varieties are known to be common houseplants. Make sure you take proper care of them because negligence can cause these green creatures to wilt away and die.

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