• Photo of Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum (Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceums)

Plant Profile: Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum

Names

Heart-leaf Philodendron, Parlor Ivy, Philodendron, Sweetheart Plant

  • Photo of Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum (Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceums)

Phonetic Spelling:fil-oh-DEN-dron hed-er-ah-SEE-um hed-er-ah-SEE-um

Genus:Philodendron

Species:hederaceum

Family:Araceae

'Parlor Ivy' is a tropical evergreen vine that can either trail or climb, reaching heights of up to 13 feet. Commonly cultivated as a houseplant in temperate regions, it is prized for its shiny green foliage that drapes elegantly from its stems. This resilient plant thrives in very low light conditions for extended periods. It can be identified by its prominent stipules on new growth, the messy stipules that drop from older growth, and its smooth petioles, which set it apart from E. aureum. When provided with support, it will either climb or trail. While it prefers medium light, it can adapt to lower light levels. The plant does best in average indoor temperatures and can withstand dry air, although it favors moderate humidity and moist soil, benefiting from occasional misting. It's important to keep the soil slightly damp and reduce watering during the winter months. The variety oxycardium features new leaves that are glossy and brown, while scandens showcases new leaves that are light green.

In terms of pests and diseases, this plant is generally free from significant issues.

Quick Identification Tips:

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum Feature Summary

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum Image Gallery

Tags

#poisonous
#houseplant
#white flowers
#low light
#interiorscape
#low maintenance
#berries
#moist soil
#spadix
#heart-shaped
#fantz
#problem for cats
#problem for dogs
#problem for horses
#tropical

Similar Plants

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum is often confused with:

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum Feature Summary

Attributes
Mexico to Tropical America
Perennial
Fruit
Fruits are a white or orange to red berry.
Red/Burgundy
Orange
White
Flowers
Flowers are small and white. Inflorescence is rarely seen in cultivation, but when it appears, it is a spadix and spathe. The spadix is shorter than or equal to the length of the spathe. The spathe forms a tube around the spadix and expands above the spadix to a greenish-yellow hood.
Leaves
Leaves are alternate, simple, cordate, acuminate, cordate base, entire, coriaceous, glossy green above and green or red-purple below. Petioles are slender and shorter than the lead blade. Stipules are large, free, and lanceolate. Leaves emerge bronze and quickly turn green and cover stems.
Green
Brown/Copper
Red/Burgundy
Purple/Lavender
3-6 inches
1-3 inches
Stem
Slender green stems with adventitious roots that can grow to 4 ft or more.
Smooth (glabrous)
Poisonous to Humans
Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing
Insoluble calcium oxalates
Whole Plant Traits
Shrub
Vine
Spreading
Climbing
Cascading
Cultural Conditions
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Good Drainage
Moist
Landscape
Container
Hanging Baskets
Vertical Spaces
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum Attributes

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Country Or Region Of Origin

Mexico to Tropical America

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Climbing Method

Clinging
Scrambler
Tendrils
Twining

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum Fruit

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Fruit Description

Fruits are a white or orange to red berry.

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Fruit Type

Achene
Aggregate
Berry
Capsule
Caryopsis
Drupe
Follicle
Legume
Nut
Pome
Samara
Schizocarp
Siliqua

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Fruit Color

grass
Orange
grass
Red/Burgundy
grass
White

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum Flowers

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Flower Description

Flowers are small and white. Inflorescence is rarely seen in cultivation, but when it appears, it is a spadix and spathe. The spadix is shorter than or equal to the length of the spathe. The spathe forms a tube around the spadix and expands above the spadix to a greenish-yellow hood.

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Flower Color

filter_vintage
White

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum Leaves

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Leaf Description

Leaves are alternate, simple, cordate, acuminate, cordate base, entire, coriaceous, glossy green above and green or red-purple below. Petioles are slender and shorter than the lead blade. Stipules are large, free, and lanceolate. Leaves emerge bronze and quickly turn green and cover stems.

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Leaf Color

spa
Brown/Copper
spa
Green
spa
Purple/Lavender
spa
Red/Burgundy

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Leaf Feel

Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Leaf Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum Stem

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Stem Description

Slender green stems with adventitious roots that can grow to 4 ft or more.

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Stem Color

grass
Green

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Stem Cross Section

Angular
Oval
Round
Square

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Stem Surface

Corky Ridges
Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
Dull
Hairy (pubescent)
Polished
Smooth (glabrous)

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum Poisonous to Humans

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Poison Symptoms

Oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Poison Toxic Principle

Insoluble calcium oxalates

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Poison Severity

High
Low
Medium

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Causes Contact Dermatitis

No
Yes

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum Whole Plant Traits

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Growth Rate

Slow
Medium
Rapid

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum Cultural Conditions

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum Landscape

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Resistance To Challenges

Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland

Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum: Problems

Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy