About
Philodendron cordatum is an uncommon vining aroid from coastal southeastern Brazil. Its name is often misapplied to the common heartleaf houseplant, Philodendron hederaceum.
Care at a glance
- Pet safety
- Toxic to cats, dogs and horses: insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause mouth pain and swelling, drooling, difficulty swallowing and, in cats and dogs, vomiting (ASPCA, for philodendrons). General guidance for the genus
- People
- Toxic to humans if eaten; the toxic principle is calcium oxalate.
- Light
- Tolerates shade.
- Water
- Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged; overwatering leads to root rot. General guidance for the genus
- Humidity
- Prefers high humidity but adapts to average indoor levels; a humidifier or pebble tray helps in dry rooms. General guidance for the genus
- Temperature
- About 18–29 °C (65–85 °F); keep away from cold draughts. General guidance for the genus
- Soil
- Moist, well-drained mix rich in organic matter. General guidance for the genus
- Propagation
- Roots easily from stem cuttings in water, soil or sphagnum moss.
- Hardiness
- Frost-tender; grown outdoors only in USDA zones 10a–12a, elsewhere as a houseplant. General guidance for the genus
“General guidance for the genus” marks advice sourced for the genus as a whole rather than this species.
Field notes
Morphology
A vining plant with dark green, heart-shaped leaves about 5–8 cm across; older leaves carry white speckles.
Distribution & habitat
A small area of coastal southeastern Brazil near Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, growing on trees and rock outcrops.
Cultivation notes
Seldom sold as a houseplant. Tolerates shade and roots easily from stem cuttings in water, soil or sphagnum moss.
History & etymology
The epithet cordatum means heart-shaped; the name is frequently applied in error to P. hederaceum, which also has heart-shaped leaves.
Habitat
- Altitude
- Not recorded
- Altitude class
- —
- Native to
- Brazil
Cultivation
- Difficulty
- Not recorded
- Temperature
- About 18–29 °C (65–85 °F); keep away from cold draughts.
- Humidity
- Prefers high humidity but adapts to average indoor levels; a humidifier or pebble tray helps in dry rooms.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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