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Plant guidePhilodendron care: the complete guide
Guidance verified against South Dakota State University Extension, Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the ASPCA on 31 August 2026. Sources linked below.
Philodendron wants bright, indirect light but tolerates low light, soil that dries to the top 50 to 75 percent before rewatering, higher humidity than a typical living room, and light monthly feeding in the growing season. It is frequently mistaken for pothos, a different plant in the same family, and it is toxic to cats and dogs.
| Attribute | What a philodendron needs |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright, indirect or curtain-filtered light is best; tolerates low light but growth slows |
| Water | Water once the top 50 to 75% of soil has dried; never let it sit in standing water |
| Humidity | Prefers around 50% humidity; tolerates ordinary indoor humidity, especially in winter |
| Soil / pot | All-purpose, well-draining potting mix in a pot with drainage holes |
| Fertiliser | Balanced all-purpose feed once or twice a month in spring and summer; reduce over winter |
| Temperature | 65 to 80°F (18 to 27°C) typical home range; briefly tolerates down to about 55°F (13°C) |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats, dogs and horses (ASPCA); calcium oxalate crystals |
How much light does a philodendron need?
Philodendron grows best in bright, indirect or curtain-filtered light, and most types will still tolerate low light, per South Dakota State University Extension and Clemson Cooperative Extension. Keep it out of direct sun, which scorches the leaves. Low light is survivable but not ideal: growth slows and the plant stretches toward whatever light it can find (see leggy growth below), a trade-off worth knowing before placing one in a dim corner.
How often should you water a philodendron?
Water once the top 50 to 75 percent of the soil has dried out, per South Dakota State University Extension, using enough water that it runs through the drainage hole, then tip out anything left in the saucer. Never let the pot sit in standing water, since that is the direct path to root rot. Philodendron is more forgiving of a missed watering than of a consistently soggy pot.
Does a philodendron need extra humidity?
Philodendron grows best around 50 percent humidity but tolerates the lower humidity of a typical home reasonably well, per South Dakota State University Extension, especially once established. To raise humidity, set the pot on a tray of pebbles topped with water, keeping the pot base above the waterline rather than sitting in it, since a submerged base risks the same root rot as overwatering. The general humidity guide covers the same trade-off for tropical houseplants broadly.
What soil and pot does a philodendron need?
An all-purpose, well-draining potting mix in a pot with drainage holes suits philodendron, per South Dakota State University Extension, sized large enough to support the plant without it toppling over as it grows. Clemson Cooperative Extension notes the same general mix works for philodendron, pothos and monstera alike, since all three are aroids with similar root needs. The soil and pot guide covers mix types and repotting signs common to most houseplants.
How and when do you fertilise a philodendron?
Feed lightly, once or twice a month, with a balanced all-purpose fertiliser while the plant is actively growing in spring and summer, per South Dakota State University Extension. Cut back or stop over the dormant winter months, when growth slows and the plant cannot use the extra nutrients. The general fertilising guide covers the salt build-up risk of overfeeding, the same mechanism behind burned leaf tips on most houseplants.
What temperature does a philodendron need?
Typical home temperatures of 65 to 80°F (18 to 27°C) suit philodendron well, per South Dakota State University Extension, which also notes the plant can briefly tolerate temperatures down to about 55°F (13°C) without lasting harm. Keep it away from cold draughts, single-pane windows in winter, and air-conditioning vents in summer, the same cold-stress risk covered for wilting plants generally.
How do you propagate a philodendron?
Stem cuttings root easily in water or a light potting mix, per Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Take a cutting 3 to 6 inches long with 3 to 5 leaves, cutting about half an inch below a node, since roots only form from the node itself. Remove the lower leaves so none sit underwater, then place the cutting in water or moist perlite in bright, indirect light. If rooting in water, change it every few days to a week, before it turns cloudy, and pot the cutting into soil once new roots are a few inches long. The general propagation guide covers the same water- and soil-cutting methods for other houseplants.
Why is my philodendron struggling?
Three problems account for most philodendron complaints, and each has a different fix:
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves yellowing, often lower leaves first | Overwatering is the most common cause; too little light is the second | Let the top 50 to 75% of soil dry before rewatering; move to brighter, indirect light |
| Leaf edges browning and crisping | Low humidity or a plant left too dry between waterings | Raise humidity with a pebble tray; water before the whole pot dries out |
| Long bare stems with small, spaced-out leaves | Leggy growth, the plant stretching toward more light | Move to brighter indirect light and trim leggy stems to encourage bushier regrowth |
See the general yellow leaves and brown leaves guides for the wider decision tree behind each symptom.
How do you tell a philodendron from a pothos?
Check the petiole, the small stalk that joins each leaf to the stem. Per Clemson Cooperative Extension, a philodendron's petiole is smooth and rounded, while a pothos petiole is grooved or indented along its length, closer to the shape of a celery stalk. Philodendron leaves also tend to be softer and thinner than pothos leaves, which are thicker and waxier. The two are genuinely different plants (different genera within the same family, Araceae), not varieties of one plant, despite near-identical care needs and a heart-shaped leaf that leads to constant mix-ups in nurseries and online.
The petiole groove is the most reliable tell when the leaves alone look identical.
Is a philodendron toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists heartleaf philodendron, the most common houseplant type, as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, containing insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral irritation, intense burning of the mouth and lips, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing if chewed, the same mechanism as pothos and peace lily. Keep it out of reach of pets that chew on foliage, and see the full pet-safe plant list for ASPCA-verified alternatives with no toxicity risk at all.
FAQ
- How often should you water a philodendron?
- Once the top 50 to 75 percent of the soil has dried out. Never let the pot sit in standing water.
- How do you tell a philodendron from a pothos?
- Check the petiole. Philodendron is smooth and rounded; pothos is grooved, like a celery stalk.
- Is philodendron toxic to cats and dogs?
- Yes, the ASPCA lists heartleaf philodendron as toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
- Why are my philodendron's leaves turning yellow?
- Overwatering is the most common cause. Too little light is the second most common.
Related guides
Sources
- South Dakota State University Extension, Philodendron: Houseplant How-To
- Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center, Philodendron, Pothos and Monstera
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, How Do I Propagate Philodendron?
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Growing Philodendrons at Home
- ASPCA, Toxic and Non-toxic Plants: Heartleaf Philodendron