20 Best Philodendron Varieties to Grow Indoors

Goofproof and tough as nails, philodendrons boast an assortment of leaf colors, shapes and sizes. Some types grow upright, forming a clump of leaves, while others trail or climb, clambering up a rough surface, such as a moss totem or bark slab. As a group, Philodendrons make an undemanding, truly low-maintenance addition to any room. If you’re looking for an easy-care houseplant, a philodendron delivers.

Mostly native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, philodendrons thrive when given conditions that mimic their native environs. But these versatile plants will also grow anywhere, adapting to light and humidity levels typical of a home or office setting. This collection includes (clockwise from bottom left) ‘Graziaele’ with heart shape leaves, large ‘Red Congo,’ Philodendron selloum, ruffle-edged ‘Xanadu,’ classic Philodendron cordatum and chartreuse variegated ‘Brasil.’

This philodendron stunner unfurls glossy, lobed leaves perched atop hairy, red stems guaranteed to bring unusual beauty to your plant collection. Emerald Ripcurl is also known as hairy philodendron (Philodendron squamiferum), and it’s an adaptable, fuss-free houseplant that grows in whatever light level you can offer. Under ideal conditions, individual leaves can reach up to 18 inches in length.

Like most philodendrons, Emerald Ripcurl prefers a well-drained soil mix. Equal parts of peat-based potting mix, perlite or crushed granite and orchid bark create an ideal rooting environment for a plant that climbs trees in the wild. Add a handful of horticultural charcoal to help fight root diseases.

Count on Philodendron selloum to bring a tropical vibe to any setting. Wired to grow, this exotic beauty pumps out leaves without missing a beat, regardless of whether it receives bright or low light. Also known as tree philodendron, this houseplant unfurls leaves that can grow to 3 feet long. It’s on NASA’s list of best air-purifying houseplants. Place it outdoors for summer and bring it inside before fall frost.

Brighten your home’s interior spaces with glowing Golden Apple philodendron. This tropical plant boasts hues of neon yellow, glowing gold or chartreuse. Young leaves have smooth edges that mature to sharply toothed margins. It’s a stunner of a houseplant that can grow upright (almost shrub-like) to form a majestic floor plant up to 3 feet across with individual leaves measuring up to 2 feet long. Give it bright, indirect light for best growth.

Look for it sold under other names, including Golden Saw and Golden Crocodile. If you add a substantial support, the plant can climb. With all philodendrons, fertilize at half strength once a month during the growing season. In cooler seasons, when growth slows and new leaves are no longer unfurling, don’t feed plants and reduce watering.

Deep, emerald green leaves with gold ribbing help Ecuador philodendron (Philodendron verrucosum) brighten any room with elegant style. Like other philodendrons, this two-tone houseplant is an indoor air purifier. Place it in low to high light, near an east, west or north window. This is a climbing philodendron and looks great grown in a pot on a totem.

Beautiful, irregular splashes of white decorate the leaves of ‘White Wizard’ philodendron. A type of red-leaf philodendron (Philodendron erubescens), this variegated tropical is also a climbing plant and attaches readily to a moss pole. Place plants near a bright window so that the green parts of leaves can photosynthesize and fuel plant growth.

White parts of leaves lack chlorophyll and are basically free-loaders, living off the food produced by the green sections. If an all-white leaf appears, take a photo, but then remove that leaf, because it will steal nourishment from the rest of the plant without contributing any of its own. As with all philodendrons, keep air temperatures above 60°F.

Variegated leaves featuring green with chartreuse splashes make ‘Brasil’ philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’) a colorful choice. This beauty is a patented variety that vines. Let it cascade from a pot or hanging basket, or train it up a moss totem. Classic heart-shape leaves blend with any décor. Give ‘Brasil’ a spot near a bright window for best leaf coloration. Water this philodendron when soil is dry to the touch.

Stunning white-striped variegation elevates ‘Birkin’ philodendron leaves to works of art. This is a clumping philodendron that forms a neat cluster of leaves in a pot. It’s also available as a hydroponic plant, growing well with roots in a water-filled beaker. ‘Birkin’ leaves develop the best color in low to medium light, which means they’ll fit neatly in any room near a window that receives natural light part of the day. If all-green leaves appear, remove them to keep the plant producing variegated ones.

New growth steals the spotlight with ‘Moonlight’ philodendron. Fresh leaves unfurl in shades of glowing chartreuse, fading to deep green as they mature. Bright light coaxes the strongest color on leaves. This is a clumping or upright philodendron. It’s a perfect choice for filling a pretty cachepot near an east or west window. Count on ‘Moonlight’ to help scrub indoor pollutants from air—it’s an oxygen purifying houseplant.

Wonderfully asymmetrical leaves give Electric Eel philodendron (Philodendron x joepii) an unusual appearance. The plant hunter who discovered it first thought the leaves had insect damage, but then realized he had found a new philodendron species. Native to French Guiana, this philodendron craves high humidity (60 percent or more) and temperatures from 60° to 85° F. A spot near an east- or north-facing window is ideal.

Over time, Electric Eel will climb if given a support. The aerial roots on a philodendron absorb moisture from air and attach the plant to surfaces. It’s not a good idea to let plants attach directly to walls, because the roots add moisture to drywall, which can cause mold or mildew. It also damages paint when you remove the plant.

If you like the tropical vibe of Philodendron selloum but can’t accommodate its large size, look to ‘Super Atom’ philodendron. This ruffle-leaved beauty looks like a miniature selloum, growing only 3 feet tall and wide. It’s a great coffee table plant when it’s young. As it grows, shift it to a corner table or a spot on the floor near a bright window. ‘Super Atom’ is branded as a member of Costa Farms’ Plants of Steel collection, which features tough-as-nails plants perfect for beginners. These plants withstand low light, irregular watering and low humidity—and still look great.

Rare and beautiful, ‘Pink Princess’ philodendron (Philodendron erubescens) unfurls dark olive-green leaves with white variegation. As leaves mature, they turn a deep black hue with striking pink spots. Strong light helps plants develop the best leaf color. Place plants near a bright east, west or north window. Water ‘Pink Princess’ when soil is dry to the touch. The black tone of leaves makes this philodendron a real charmer—and difficult to find. Grow this vining philodendron on a totem or pot trellis.

A versatile houseplant, Tiger Tooth philodendron adapts readily to any light level, although you’ll see best growth when it receives bright, indirect light (within three feet of a sunny south- or east-facing window). It’s sold under a variety of names: Double-Edged Sword, Jungle Boogie, Henderson’s Pride, Narrow Escape, Tiger Tooth and more. Deeply toothed leaf edges and puckers along the central leaf midrib give this plant a classy look that’s truly eye-catching.

Grow Tiger Tooth as an upright clumper, or add a totem to allow stems to climb. Young plants make great tabletop sitters, while more mature versions can hold their own as floor plants, growing up to 4 feet across. As with all philodendrons, water when soil dries an inch or two deep to avoid overwatering.

Sometimes known as the sweetheart plant, heart-leaf philodendron (Philodendron cordatum) is one of the easiest houseplants to grow. Give it low light, low humidity and/or irregular watering, and it just keeps right on growing. It’s a goof-proof houseplant that vines. Grow it as a trailing plant, letting stems dangle from a shelf or tabletop. Or give it a pot trellis or totem to clamber up. To keep plants confined to a pot, snip vines as needed.

Also sold as Orange Marmalade and Quadcolor, Orange You Gorgeous philodendron adds a lovely citrus glow to indoor décor. Orange leaf stems, midribs and edges team up with leaves that unfurl in orange hues and fade to marbled green and gold. For the best leaf color, place it near an east-, west- or south-facing window, but protect it from direct sun, which can burn leaves. This is a climbing philodendron that clambers readily up a bark slab or moss-covered totem. Like all philodendrons, it’s toxic to curious children or pets, so place it where it’s inaccessible to either.

Shiny, leathery leaves feature finger-like lobes on easy-growing ‘Xanadu’ philodendron. This plant is an upright type of philodendron, forming a bushy plant that can grow 2 to 4 feet tall and up to 5 feet wide in the landscape. As a houseplant, it happily grows to fill a 10- to 14-inch pot over time. ‘Xanadu’ is undemanding and gets by with minimal light and water. Give it spot near a bright window, though, and you’ll be rewarded with a bushier plant. It’s sometimes sold as Winterbourn philodendron.

Twisted Sister fernleaf philodendron (Philodendron tortum) produces multiple stems, forming a cluster of leaves in a pot. A mature plant can grow two to three feet tall, which makes it useful as a floor plant. Leaves resemble ferns and unfurl in twisted formation with coppery tones. As leaves mature, they shift to green. Place Twisted Sister near a window that receives natural light part of the day, water when soil is dry about one-third to one-half of the pot’s depth, and aim for medium humidity.

One look at this plant and it’s easy to see where it gets its name: ‘Red Congo’ or ‘Rojo Congo.’ New leaves are flushed with red-purple hues, while stems on new growth glow bright red. This is an upright philodendron that makes an ideal tabletop plant. Give it a spot in bright or low light, although brighter light yields the strongest leaf colors. ‘Red Congo’ is an air purifier, removing toxic chemicals from indoor settings. Use it in your bedroom to ensure fresh air for a good night’s sleep.

Elongated, puckered leaves standing on bright orange stems earn this philodendron the name “Orange Smooth.” Botanically it’s called Philodendron billietiae; in garden circles it’s also known as “Billie & Philidor.” Leaf surfaces feel velvety smooth. Provide brighter light (east or south window) all day to coax the best growth on this climber, which readily attaches to a support or moss covered totem. Expect plants to reach 12 to 24 inches tall, creating a striking floor plant at maturity.