29 Types Of Philodendrons to Try in Your Garden This Season

29 Types Of Philodendrons to Try in Your Garden This Season

If you’ve ever wandered down the houseplant aisle and felt overwhelmed by how many philodendrons were staring back at you, you’re not alone. This genus is enormous, and honestly, that’s part of the fun. From climbing vines that’ll happily wind around a moss pole to dramatic self-headers with leaves the size of dinner plates, there’s a philodendron for pretty much every space and every skill level.

I’ve grown a good chunk of these myself over the years, killed a few by accident (overwatering is a real problem, friends), and fallen hard for others. This list of 29 types of philodendrons to try in your garden this season covers climbers, uprights, rare collector pieces, and reliable beginner varieties. Let’s get into it.

Heartleaf Philodendron

This is the philodendron most people picture first, and for good reason. The small, glossy, heart-shaped leaves trail beautifully from hanging baskets or climb a support if you give them one. It tolerates low light better than almost anything else on this list, though it grows faster in bright, indirect light.

Keep the soil lightly moist and let the top inch dry between waterings — root rot shows up fast if you’re heavy-handed with the watering can. It’s hardy outdoors in zones 9-11 but works as a houseplant everywhere else. Genuinely one of the easiest plants for beginners, and it propagates like a dream from stem cuttings in water.

Philodendron Brasil

A variegated cousin of the heartleaf, Brasil has streaks of lime green and yellow running down the center of each leaf, almost like someone dragged a paintbrush across it. It wants bright, indirect light to keep that variegation vivid — too little light and the pattern starts to fade back to solid green.

Growth is fast once it’s happy, and it does well trailing from a shelf or climbing a small trellis. Well-draining potting mix with some perlite mixed in keeps the roots from sitting in soggy soil. A fun, low-fuss pick for anyone who wants color without a fussy plant.

Philodendron Micans

Micans has a velvety, almost iridescent texture on its heart-shaped leaves that shifts from bronze to deep green depending on the light hitting it. It’s a slower grower than the heartleaf but no harder to care for, and the texture alone makes it worth the space.

It likes bright indirect light and slightly moist soil, and it’ll sulk a bit in deep shade. Great as a trailing plant on a bookshelf or climbing a moss pole where you can really appreciate the leaf texture up close.

Philodendron Selloum (Lacy Tree Philodendron)

Selloum is a self-header, meaning it grows upright on a central stem rather than vining. The deeply lobed, lacy leaves can get enormous outdoors, sometimes three feet across, giving any garden bed serious tropical presence.

Outdoors it’s hardy in zones 9-11 and loves partial shade with rich, well-draining soil. Indoors, it needs a big pot and bright indirect light to really thrive. It’s a slower grower but a real showstopper once established, and deer generally leave it alone.

Philodendron Xanadu

Xanadu is often confused with Selloum, but it stays more compact and mounding, which makes it a favorite for foundation plantings and shaded garden borders. The deeply cut leaves have a slightly leathery feel.

It handles partial to full shade well and prefers consistently moist but well-draining soil. In zones 9b-11 it can live outdoors year-round; elsewhere it’s a container plant that comes indoors for winter. Fairly drought tolerant once established, which is a nice bonus for busy gardeners.

Philodendron Birkin

Birkin has dark green leaves with crisp white pinstripes running from the center outward — it looks almost hand-painted. It stays compact, making it a great choice for smaller spaces like desks or narrow shelves.

Bright indirect light keeps the variegation sharp. Watch for yellowing leaves, which usually means overwatering. It’s a slow grower, so patience is part of the deal here, but the payoff is a genuinely striking plant.

Philodendron Pink Princess

This one’s a collector favorite, with dark, almost black leaves splashed with hot pink variegation. No two leaves look quite the same, which is part of the appeal, though the pink patches can vary a lot depending on the plant’s genetics and light exposure.

It needs bright indirect light to hold onto that pink coloring and well-draining soil to avoid root rot. It’s not the easiest philodendron on this list, but it’s not impossible either — just give it consistent care and avoid moving it around too much.

Philodendron Pink Congo

Pink Congo produces new leaves in a bright bubblegum pink that matures to green over time. A quick note here: the pink color in true Congo varieties is often the result of chemical treatment rather than natural variegation, so do your research before buying if that matters to you.

Regardless, it’s an easy-growing plant that likes bright indirect light and regular watering once the topsoil dries out. A fun conversation piece for a sunny windowsill.

Philodendron Moonlight

Moonlight is a self-header with broad, chartreuse to lime-green leaves that practically glow in a well-lit room. New growth emerges almost neon yellow before mellowing to green.

It prefers bright indirect light — too much shade and that gorgeous color fades to a duller green. Keep soil evenly moist and feed with a diluted liquid fertilizer during spring and summer. It stays fairly compact, which makes it a nice tabletop or low-shelf plant.

Philodendron Prince of Orange

This self-header earns its name with new leaves that emerge in warm shades of orange and copper before shifting to green as they mature. The color progression alone makes it worth growing, especially if you like a plant that keeps surprising you.

Bright indirect light brings out the best color. It’s moderately easy to care for and appreciates well-draining soil with a bit of added bark or perlite. A great intermediate plant once you’ve gotten comfortable with heartleaf types.

Philodendron Silver Sword

Silver Sword has long, narrow, silvery-green leaves with a slightly metallic sheen, and it grows as a climber if given support. The elongated leaf shape sets it apart from the more common heart-shaped varieties.

It likes bright indirect light and consistent moisture, though it’s fairly forgiving if you miss a watering here and there. A moss pole helps it develop those larger, more mature leaves as it climbs.

Philodendron Florida Beauty

This variegated climber has deeply lobed leaves splashed with cream and yellow, and honestly, every leaf looks a little different, which keeps things interesting. It’s a slower grower and can be a bit finicky about consistent care.

Bright indirect light is essential for maintaining variegation. Let the soil dry slightly between waterings, and watch for spider mites, which seem to have a particular fondness for variegated philodendrons.

Philodendron Florida Ghost

Florida Ghost starts pale, almost white or pale green, before darkening to a deep green as the leaves mature — it’s one of the more dramatic transformations in the genus. The deeply lobed leaf shape adds extra visual interest.

It’s a climbing type that appreciates a moss pole and bright indirect light. Fairly moderate difficulty; not the best pick for total beginners, but not a nightmare either if you pay attention to light and watering.

Philodendron Gloriosum

Gloriosum is a crawling, non-climbing type with huge, velvety heart-shaped leaves marked with pale veining. It grows along the soil surface via rhizomes rather than climbing upward, which makes it a favorite for wide, shallow pots.

It wants bright indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil rich in organic matter. This is genuinely one of the more elegant philodendrons out there, and it’s become something of a collector’s staple in recent years.

Philodendron Verrucosum

Verrucosum is a stunner, with deep green, velvety leaves veined in silver and undersides tinged burgundy. It’s also notoriously fussy, needing high humidity and consistent warmth to really thrive.

This one’s best suited to experienced growers with a terrarium or greenhouse setup, since average household humidity often isn’t enough. If you can nail the conditions, though, it’s one of the most beautiful plants you’ll ever grow.

Philodendron Mayoi

Mayoi has narrow, deeply lobed leaves with a slightly ruffled, almost lacy edge, and it climbs readily given a pole or trellis. The leaf shape gives it a wild, jungle-like look that stands out from rounder-leaved types.

Bright indirect light and evenly moist soil keep it happy. It’s a moderate grower and generally low-maintenance once established, making it a nice pick for someone ready to graduate from heartleaf types.

Philodendron Squamiferum

This climbing variety has deeply lobed leaves and, its real claim to fame, fuzzy red hairs covering the petioles. It’s a genuinely odd and delightful plant to have in a collection just for that texture alone.

It likes bright indirect light and a moss pole to climb, plus regular watering with good drainage. Not a difficult plant, just one that rewards a little attention with unusual charm.

Philodendron Mamei

Mamei is a crawling type with large, quilted, silver-splashed leaves that spread along the soil rather than climbing. It’s sometimes confused with Gloriosum, but Mamei’s leaves have a more puckered, textured surface.

It prefers bright indirect light, high humidity, and a chunky, well-draining aroid mix. A wide, shallow pot suits its growth habit better than a deep one.

Philodendron Melanochrysum

Known as the black gold philodendron, Melanochrysum has velvety, near-black leaves with striking gold-green veining when young leaves catch the light. It’s a slow-growing climber that really needs a moss pole to develop its signature elongated mature leaves.

High humidity and bright indirect light are non-negotiable here. This is a plant for someone who’s already comfortable with aroids and wants to level up their collection — not the easiest first philodendron, but worth the effort.

Philodendron Pastazanum

Pastazanum produces huge, heart-shaped leaves with pale silvery veining against deep green, and it has a semi-crawling growth habit. Mature leaves can get impressively large given enough space and the right conditions.

It wants bright indirect light, high humidity, and consistently moist but well-draining soil. A somewhat rare find, but garden centers specializing in tropicals or online aroid sellers usually carry it.

Philodendron Painted Lady

Painted Lady has lime-green to chartreuse leaves splashed with darker green marbling, giving each leaf a hand-painted look. It’s a fast-growing climber that does well on a trellis or moss pole.

Bright indirect light keeps the coloring vibrant, and it’s fairly forgiving with watering as long as the soil drains well. A cheerful, easygoing addition if you want color without extra fuss.

Philodendron Domesticum (Spade-Leaf Philodendron)

This classic climbing type has long, glossy, spade-shaped leaves and grows quickly once established. It’s one of the more forgiving philodendrons, tolerating a range of light conditions from medium to bright indirect.

Give it a support to climb and water when the top inch of soil dries out. It’s a solid choice for someone building confidence with vining aroids, and it’s rarely bothered by pests.

Philodendron Hastatum (Silver Sword’s Cousin)

Sometimes sold interchangeably with Silver Sword, true Hastatum has arrow-shaped, blue-silver leaves and a climbing habit. The cool, almost metallic tone makes it a nice contrast plant next to deeper green varieties.

It likes bright indirect light, a moss pole for support, and soil that dries slightly between waterings. Moderate difficulty, but a rewarding grower once it settles in.

Philodendron Bipennifolium (Fiddleleaf Philodendron)

Not to be confused with the fiddle leaf fig, this philodendron has violin-shaped leaves that get more pronounced and lobed as the plant matures. It’s a climber that appreciates a totem or trellis.

Medium to bright indirect light suits it well, and it’s fairly drought tolerant compared to some of the fussier varieties on this list. A good in-between choice — interesting foliage without demanding perfection.

Philodendron Rugosum (Pig Skin Philodendron)

Rugosum gets its nickname from the thick, bumpy, almost leathery texture of its leaves, which genuinely does resemble pig skin under the right light. It has a semi-crawling habit and stays relatively compact.

It needs bright indirect light and high humidity to thrive, plus excellent drainage since the thick leaves store water and don’t appreciate soggy roots. A conversation-starter if there ever was one.

Philodendron Splendid

Splendid is a hybrid with enormous, velvety leaves featuring bold silver-white veining against deep green. It has a crawling to semi-climbing growth pattern and can get quite large with age.

Bright indirect light, high humidity, and a chunky aroid mix with good aeration will keep it happiest. This is a slower grower, so don’t expect rapid size increases — think of it as a long-term collection piece.

Philodendron Camposportoanum

This compact climber has unusually shaped leaves that change form as the plant matures, starting narrow and developing lobes over time. It stays relatively small, making it a nice pick for limited space.

It likes bright indirect light and slightly drying soil between waterings. Easygoing and adaptable, it’s a fun one for gardeners who enjoy watching a plant’s leaf shape evolve.

Philodendron Joepii

Joepii has unusual, narrow, almost antler-like leaf lobes that make it look completely different from the classic heart-shaped philodendron most people picture. It’s a climbing type, somewhat rare, and popular among collectors chasing unique leaf forms.

Bright indirect light and consistent moisture keep it healthy. It’s a slower grower, so patience pays off here — but the odd leaf shape makes it a real standout once mature.

Philodendron Erubescens (Blushing Philodendron)

Erubescens is a climbing philodendron with glossy, heart-shaped leaves and new growth that emerges in a reddish, blushing tone before maturing to dark green. The red coloring also shows up on the stems and leaf undersides.

It handles medium to bright indirect light and adapts well to both indoor and outdoor growing in zones 9-11. Fast-growing and pretty forgiving, it’s a great pick if you want drama without a steep learning curve.

Philodendron Imperial Green

Imperial Green is a self-header with broad, glossy, deep green leaves and a naturally full, lush shape that fills out a space nicely without sprawling everywhere. It’s often used in office spaces and entryways because it tolerates a range of indoor light levels so well.

Water when the top couple inches of soil feel dry, and feed with a slow-release fertilizer during the growing season. It’s about as low-maintenance as the upright types get, making it a dependable choice for gardeners who want impact without the guesswork.

Whichever of these 29 types of philodendrons you decide to try, the genus is forgiving enough to experiment with. Start with a heartleaf or Imperial Green if you’re new to the game, and once you’ve got the hang of watering and light, there’s no reason not to work your way toward the pricier, more dramatic varieties. Half the fun is watching your collection grow one leaf at a time.