Heartleaf philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum
Also called Sweetheart plant
Houseplant · AroidsThe plant that forgives most. Happy in a dim corner nothing else will take.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Easy
- Water
- Every 8 daysDrench and drain — water the whole surface until it runs from the holes.
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
- Feed
- Every 45 days
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Indoors, or out in high summer RHS H1B, to 10°C
- Size
- 2 m tall · 0.6 m across
- Lifecycle
- Climber
- Origin
- Central America and the Caribbean
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses. Signs: an irritated, painful and swollen mouth, tongue and lips, heavy drooling, vomiting (not in horses) and trouble swallowing.
PeopleHarmful if eaten, and irritates skin
HandlingTake care handling it
Sap is a skin and eye irritant and an allergen; RHS advises gloves.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-07-31.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
First signs of trouble
- Brown, slightly domed limpets in the crook where a leaf stalk leaves the vine, and a sticky film on the leaf below.Scale insect · pest
- The newest leaves come out small and dull, and fine webbing shows at the growing tip when you tilt it to the light.Glasshouse red spider mite · pest