Philodendron, << `fihl` uh DEHN druhn, >> is the name of many species (kinds) and varieties of vinelike house plants grown for their beautiful foliage. The word philodendron means lover of trees. Many philodendrons are grown on “totem poles,” or posts made of sphagnum moss, bark, and other materials. The plants produce roots along their stems and will grow on poles if the stems are kept moist.
Philodendrons have handsome leaves that are thick and tough. But the leaves vary widely in size and shape on the different species of plants. The common name for some of these plants often suggests the form of their leaves. Among them are the taper-tip, twice-cut, giant-leaf, and tri-leaf philodendron.
Perhaps the most widely grown is the heart-leaf philodendron. This plant bears heart-shaped leaves about 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) long and nearly as broad. The leaves of heart-leaf philodendron are smooth and glossy. They have no indentations along their edges.
People like philodendrons as house plants because they are easy to grow. Philodendrons tolerate the changes in light, moisture, and temperature that are common in most houses. They need little care and do not fall prey to the usual plant pests. They grow best when they are not in direct sunlight. Often philodendrons will grow well in places that are too dark for other plants. They can be grown in almost any kind of soil and will also thrive in water.
