Philodendron is a large genus comprising over 480 species of plants in the family Araceae. The word philodendron translates loosely to “tree lover,” since many plants in this genus are climbing or trailing epiphytes that use trees as natural supports in the wild. That being said, there are many types of philodendrons with self-heading or creeping growth habits as well.
These tropical aroids do well in average household temperature and humidity levels which makes them among the most popular and widely kept houseplants. Many also prefer bright, indirect light which is usually easy to provide in indoor environments.
Ready to turn your space into an indoor jungle? Here are 25 of the most popular types of philodendrons for indoor growing.
1. The Heartleaf Philodendron
One of the most well-known and widely available, the heartleaf philodendron is attractive and easy to grow. It features small, jade green heart-shaped leaves on vining stems, making it ideal for hanging baskets and planters. Provide bright to medium indirect light and allow soil to dry between waterings.
- Name: Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Leaf Color: Green
- Mature Size: 1-3 ft. wide, 3-13 ft. long
- Difficulty: Easy
2. The Brasil philodendron
The Brasil philodendron is a cultivar of the heartleaf, distinguished by vibrant lime green to yellow variegation. Keep this easy-grower in a bright spot, as low light will cause it to lose its pretty patterns. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Name: Brasil Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Leaf Color: Green with lime variegation
- Mature Size: 6-36 in. tall, 12-36 in. wide
- Difficulty: Easy
3. Philodendron Micans
A true stunner, philodendron micans has small, velvety dark green leaves tinged with red undersides. Its trailing vines make it perfect for hanging baskets or to drape over shelves. It needs medium to bright indirect light and prefers to dry slightly between waterings.
- Name: Philodendron Micans (Philodendron hederaceum var Hederaceum)
- Light: Bright to medium indirect light
- Leaf Color: Deep green and red/maroon
- Mature Size: 8 in. tall, 24 in. long
- Difficulty: Easy
4. Velour Philodendron
The velour variety is prized for its incredibly soft, suede-like leaf texture. Its lobed, emerald green foliage has an irresistible velvet feel. It grows a bit slower than other philodendrons but makes up for it in ornamental appeal. Keep it in bright, indirect light.
- Name: Velour Philodendron (Philodendron velour)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Leaf Color: Velvety deep green
- Mature Size: 2-4 ft tall and wide
- Difficulty: Moderate
5. Neon Philodendron
For a burst of sunny color, look no further than the neon philodendron. Its almost fluorescent yellow-green leaves are an eye-catching addition to any space. A trailing variety, it looks amazing in hanging baskets or climbing a trellis. Provide bright light to maintain its vibrant hue.
- Name: Neon Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum ‘Neon’)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Leaf Color: Neon yellow-green
- Mature Size: 2-4 ft trailing vines
- Difficulty: Easy
6. Lemon Lime Philodendron
The lemon lime is a real showstopper, with leaves emerging lime green before maturing to forest green splashed with creamy yellow variegation. Its upright, self-heading growth habit makes a perfect desktop or floor plant. Give it bright, indirect light.
- Name: Lemon Lime Philodendron (Philodendron ‘Lemon Lime’)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Leaf Color: Green with yellow variegation
- Mature Size: 2-3 ft tall and wide
- Difficulty: Moderate
7. Burle Marx Philodendron
Philodendron burle-marx is hard to miss with its elongated, deeply lobed leaves. The dramatic foliage emerges reddish-pink before turning a deep, forest green. A trailing variety that looks stunning climbing up a trellis or hanging in a basket. Bright, indirect light is best.
- Name: Burle Marx Philodendron (Philodendron ‘Burle Marx’)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Leaf Color: Deep green, reddish when young
- Mature Size: 3-6 ft trailing vines
- Difficulty: Moderate
8. Moonlight Philodendron
A compact grower, the moonlight variety features eye-catching leaves with a bright yellow-green center surrounded by dark, almost black-green edges. Its tidy, bushy habit makes it ideal for dishes and desktops. Keep it in bright, indirect light.
- Name: Moonlight Philodendron (Philodendron ‘Moonlight’)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Leaf Color: Yellow-green center, dark green edges
- Mature Size: 1-2 ft tall and wide
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
9. Prince of Orange Philodendron
True to its name, the prince of orange has brilliantly colored light to neon reddish-orange foliage that simply glows. An upright, self-heading variety that makes for an incredible accent plant. Very bright, indirect light prevents its vibrant leaves from fading.
- Name: Prince of Orange Philodendron (Philodendron ‘Prince of Orange’)
- Light: Very bright, indirect light
- Leaf Color: Light to neon orange-red
- Mature Size: 2-4 ft tall and wide
- Difficulty: Moderate
10. Rojo Congo Philodendron
The rojo congo is a real head-turner with large, leathery burgundy leaves and contrasting red stems. New leaves emerge an even brighter red before darkening to deep burgundy as they mature. An upright grower that adds bold color to any space.
- Name: Rojo Congo Philodendron
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Leaf Color: Burgundy red
- Mature Size: 3-5 ft tall and wide
- Difficulty: Moderate
11. Black Cardinal Philodendron
Black cardinal displays remarkable dark, nearly black foliage with contrasting bright red veins and stems. Its leaves emerge a vibrant green before darkening. An upright self-heading variety that provides unmatched drama.
- Name: Black Cardinal Philodendron
- Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
- Leaf Color: Near-black with red veins
- Mature Size: 2-3 ft tall and wide
- Difficulty: Moderate
12. Pink Princess Philodendron
One of the most coveted philodendrons, Pink Princess is known for its vibrant neon pink variegation. New leaves emerge an intense neon pink before mellowing to darker pink and green patterns as they mature—an upright, self-heading variety.
- Name: Pink Princess Philodendron
- Light: Very bright, indirect light
- Leaf Color: Neon pink to pink/green variegation
- Mature Size: 3-5 ft tall and wide
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
13. Philodendron Gloriosum
Philodendron gloriosum is a vining, trailing species with very large, heavily lobed leaves that can reach over 3 feet long! Provide a trellis or totem for it to climb. Heart-shaped juvenile leaves eventually mature to their trademark elongated form.
- Name: Philodendron Gloriosum
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Leaf Color: Green, lobed leaves
- Mature Size: 6+ ft vines, 3+ ft leaves
- Difficulty: Moderate
14. Philodendron Brandtianum
Philodendron brandtianum is a rare, low-growing variety known for its long, slender leaf stalks and heavily patterned silver/gray leaves. Its unique growth habit creates beautiful draping vines perfect for hanging baskets. Provide bright, indirect light.
- Name: Philodendron Brandtianum
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Leaf Color: Green with silver/gray patterning
- Mature Size: 1-2 ft tall, trailing vines
- Difficulty: Moderate
15. Philodendron Tortum
A compact, terrestrial species, philo tortum features small, rounded green leaves with distinct lobes and rippled textures. While low-growing, it can eventually spread into a full, bushy mat with older leaves developing deep red undersides.
*Name: Philodendron Tortum
*Light: Bright, indirect light
*Leaf Color: Green, red undersides with age
*Mature Size: 6-12 in. tall, spreading
*Difficulty: Moderate
16. Philodendron Squamiferum
Squamiferum is a large, vining philodendron with heavily textured, olive green leaves covered in silvery striations. Each leaf has deeply lobed, undulating edges giving it an almost shredded appearance. Let its vines trail or provide a trellis for climbing.
*Name: Philodendron Squamiferum
*Light: Bright, indirect light
*Leaf Color: Olive green with silver striations
*Mature Size: 10+ ft vines, 2+ ft leaves
*Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
17. Philodendron Melanochrysum
One of the most distinct philodendrons, melanochrysum has velvety, blackish green leaves with contrasting bright yellow veins. Its low, creeping habit makes it well-suited for terrariums or to drape over the edges of hanging baskets and shelves.
*Name: Philodendron Melanochrysum
*Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
*Leaf Color: Blackish green with yellow veins
*Mature Size: 6-12 in. tall, trailing
*Difficulty: Moderate
18. Philodendron Pastazanum
Resembling tortum, pastazanum is a dwarf, terrestrial species with small, ruffled olive-green leaves tinged with red and patterned cream variegation. A diminutive, low grower that works beautifully in mixed plantings and terrariums.
*Name: Philodendron Pastazanum
*Light: Bright, indirect light
*Leaf Color: Olive green with red and cream variegation
*Mature Size: 4-8 in. tall and wide
*Difficulty: Moderate
19. Philodendron Verrucosum
Philodendron verrucosum is a large, vining species with heavily textured olive green leaves and warty, raised petioles. Its trailing vines can reach over 10 feet long when provided a trellis or support. An impressive statement plant for the indoor gardener.
*Name: Philodendron Verrucosum
*Light: Bright, indirect light
*Leaf Color: Olive green
*Mature Size: 10+ ft trailing vines
*Difficulty: Moderate
20. Philodendron Joepii
Despite its small size, joepii stands out with its bright green, oblong leaves edged with thin red margins. A compact, low-growing terrestrial species ideal for terrariums that stays under a foot tall at maturity.
*Name: Philodendron Joepii
*Light: Medium to bright, indirect
*Leaf Color: Green with red margins
*Mature Size: 6-12 in. tall and wide
*Difficulty: Moderate
21. Red Emerald Philodendron
With its shiny, emerald green leaves and bright red midribs and undersides, philodendron red emerald immediately catches the eye. A clump-forming epiphyte, it makes a beautiful accent plant or addition to mixed arrangements.
*Name: Red Emerald Philodendron
*Light: Medium to bright, indirect
*Leaf Color: Emerald green, red midrib and undersides
*Mature Size: 1-2 ft tall
*Difficulty: Moderate
22. Philodendron Plowmanii
An incredibly rare find, philodendron plowmanii has highly corrugated, elongated dark green leaves covered in glittering silver frosty patches. It slowly forms a caudex or large base over time making for an otherworldly specimen plant.
*Name: Philodendron Plowmanii
*Light: Bright, indirect light
*Leaf Color: Dark green with silver frosting
*Mature Size: 3-6 ft tall from caudex
*Difficulty: Difficult
23. Philodendron Mamei
Known for its long-lasting velvety leaves, mamei makes an excellent houseplant. Its rich green foliage has deeply textured surfaces accented by contrasting light green veins. An upright, self-heading variety that stays fairly compact.
*Name: Philodendron Mamei
*Light: Bright, indirect light
*Leaf Color: Velvety green with light veins
*Mature Size: 2-4 ft tall and wide
*Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
24. Philodendron Mayoi
Philodendron mayoi is an endangered species with gorgeous quilted, deeply-ridged emerald green leaves. Its upright growth habit and large, undulating foliage create an eye-catching structural accent plant when mature.
*Name: Philodendron Mayoi
*Light: Medium to bright, indirect
*Leaf Color: Rich, quilted emerald green
*Mature Size: 3-6 ft tall and wide
*Difficulty: Difficult
25. Philodendron Florida Ghost
Last but not least, florida ghost is known for its bleached white to cream-colored leaves emerging on red stems. This ghostly philodendron variety creates quite the spooky yet gorgeous display when mature leaves become fully blanched.
*Name: Philodendron Florida Ghost
*Light: Bright, indirect light
*Leaf Color: Cream to white
*Mature Size: 2-3 ft tall and wide
*Difficulty: Moderate
From compact terrariums specimens to large, vining jungle species, the diverse philodendron genus offers something to suit any indoor space. Whether you crave vibrant colors, unique textures, or simply an easy-care trailing plant, these popular aroids are sure to delight. Let me know if you need any other details on caring for these incredible philodendrons!
