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Different Types of Philodendrons (From Popular to Rare)

Different Types of Philodendrons (From Popular to Rare)

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Philodendrons are among the most popular houseplants. The plant accounts for nearly 178,000 Google searches per month.

As a low-maintenance plant, it’s easy to see why many people have picked philodendrons as their pet plant. Another reason affecting the plant’s heavy popularity could be owed to the multiple types available.

From the rare beauty known as the pink princess to the spiky Xanadu, you can find a philodendron fit for your aesthetic.

Stick around to learn more about the different types of philodendrons.

How Many Types of Philodendrons Are There?

There are approximately 489 different types of philodendrons. Each type is differentiated by its colors, growth habits, size, and other factors.

Vining Philodendron Types

Vining philodendrons creep and trail since their stems aren’t able to support their weight. These philodendrons offer a rustic appearance, whether indoors or outdoors.

Philodendron Brasil

Philodendron Brasil

As its name suggests, the Philodendron Brasil has a South American background. Accordingly, the plant is also named after the country, due to its close color resemblance to Brazil’s flag.

Speaking of color, Philodendron Brasil’s leaf variegation is a swirl of yellows and greens. You may also find this plant variation with pink-hued stems.

In terms of shape, the trailing houseplant offers exotic heart-shaped shiny leaves. This houseplant’s best spot is outdoors hanging where the sun shines and reflects its vibrant coloration.

Philodendron Micans

Philodendron Micans

Philodendron Micans are a trailing unique variety. When touching the houseplant, you’ll notice a rich velvety texture on its foliage.

The perennial plants can be kept outdoors or indoors hanging-style. Just be sure to keep these plants in indirect light to avoid scorching their textured variegated green leaves.

Philodendron Brandtianum

Philodendron Brandtianum

The Philodendron Branditanum variety is a fast-growing climber. The main selling point of this houseplant is its distinct leaf variegation.

The plant’s foliage is splattered in silver and olive green-veined. It almost seems like the leaves are frosted.

That being said, you can keep them outdoors climbing a moss pole or trellis. Alternatively, a hanging Philodendron Branditanum basket may also provide a nice addition to your indoor area.

Care-wise, you can provide the plant with indirect light, or even place it in low-light areas around your house.
The main thing you’ll want to watch out for is keeping its growth in check. The ideal height of a potted Branditanum is around four to eight feet and four to seven inches in width.

Philodendron Mayoi

Philodendron Mayoi

Similar to the rare Tortum Philodendron variety, the Mayoi variation also features spike-shaped leaves resembling thick palm fronds.

These leaves can grow up to one to two feet long and one foot wide. Color-wise, the foliage is light green and carries pinkish veins.

Mostly found in Brazil, the creeping Philodendron Mayoi can be found in the wild rainforest canopies or crawling around trees.

Either way, the hemiepiphyte requires some support from its surroundings to creep around. That being so, the Mayoi is a considerably fast-growing plant and can span around four to six feet.

Philodendron Majesty

Philodendron Majesty

If your indoor space is generally light-colored, then adding a dark Philodendron Majesty will give you a good contrast. This gothic plant has pear-shaped leaves with dark purple and green coloration.

Meanwhile, its stems are almost black. Besides that, this variation, like several others, is a hybrid. Its parents are the Philodendron Verrucosum and Sodiroi.

The care requirements of the Philodendron Majesty are simple. The most critical requirement is humidity, which you can achieve with a pebble tray or by investing in a humidifier.

In addition to this, regular watering and partial lighting will ensure this houseplant’s healthy growth pattern.

Philodendron pedatum

Philodendron Pedatum

The Philodendron pedatum or Oak Leaf Philodendron is a trailing perennial with eccentric-shaped leaf patterns.

The leaves are deeply lobed and dark green. Aside from that, during their growth, the leaves are chubbier and when matured, the foliage stretches to the signature oak leaf shape.

The main issue when it comes to caring for a pedatum is its overgrowth. It can stretch up to nine inches and in its trail, gather lots of dust and debris.

We recommend keeping it at a manageable length and wiping the leaves every month or so to avoid any creeping pests.

Outdoor Philodendron Types

As a tropical plant, philodendrons embrace warmth and humidity during summers and springs. They can make a jungle-themed addition to your porch or garden.

Philodendron Ceylon Gold

Philodendron Ceylon Gold

The Ceylon Gold’s leaves are infused with yellow-green coloration. Additionally, the foliage is paddle-shaped providing an energetic appearance to your outdoor area.

The climbing philodendron can flourish in indirect sunlight and a regular watering routine. You can place this houseplant around a moss pole to add more height or next to your other plants for a rich green aesthetic.

Besides that, the Ceylon Gold is not fussy and can grow up to an impressive ten feet. On top of its rich color addition, it provides air quality benefits as well.

Philodendron Moonlight

Philodendron Moonlight

Philodendron Moonlight houseplants are prized for their fluorescent foliage that unfurls during their growth. If you’re not a fan of vining plants, the Moonlight variation is an ideal option.

The houseplant is a climber and can grow around four to five feet in height. It also has large fresh-looking leaves.

That being said, the best outdoor environment for Philodendron Moonlight lies in USDA zones 10 and 11. Temperatures below 60 degrees F should be avoided.

Split-Leaf Philodendron

Split-Leaf Philodendron

The Philodendron bipinnatifidum or split-lead philodendron gets its name from its holed foliage.

These large houseplants can survive well outdoors in warm weather. Nevertheless, their leaves are toxic to pets, so be sure to keep an eye on your pets if they’re running around the garden.

Unlike other philodendron varieties, this one enjoys direct sunlight. For this reason, you’ll want to rotate the plant so every side gets an even amount of sunlight.

Philodendron Thai Sunrise

Philodendron Thai Sunrise

The enticing Philodendron Thai Sunrise can make for an eye-catching addition to your garden collection. The houseplant is known for its long variegated dark and light green leaves.

The Thai Sunrise’s glossy leave can grow around ten inches long. This means you’ll want to plant this philodendron in a spacious and shaded region where its leaves can stretch freely.

Even though you can grow a Thai Sunrise outdoors, it’s best to place it in a pot and keep it indoors during the winter and fall seasons. That way, the plant can survive a little longer and avoid getting frostbite.

Philodendron Gloriosum

Philodendron Gloriosum

Like the Philodendron Micans variety, the Gloriosum also sports an appealing velvety exterior. The leaves’ veins are prominently white-lined.

Shape-wise, the Philodendron Gloriosum has heart-shaped large leaves. The plant can climb up to 2.5 feet.

When kept in the garden, be sure to keep the plant out of reach of children or pets since it’s toxic. Other than that, the Gloriosum can make a wonderful gift for a friend since it doesn’t require a strict care regimen.

It mainly needs partial shade, periodical watering, and high humidity levels reaching at least 50%.

Philodendron Callosum

In the wild, Philodendron Callosum is usually found resting on a rainforest tree in Venezuela, Northwestern Brazil, or French Guiana.

The first thing you might notice about this houseplant is the multiple branches coming out of its stem. Besides that, the Callosum has oval-shaped elongated leaves.
Additionally, the dark green leaves are slightly textured, like other rare philodendron varieties.

Although not much of a climber, the plant can add a bushier or fuller appearance to your garden. Just make sure it’s not exposed to any direct light or soggy soil to avoid yellowing or browning leaves, respectively.

What Is the Most Common Type of Philodendron?

Despite accumulating over 489 species, philodendron has one common best-selling type.

Hederaceum

Hederaceum

The title goes to the Hederaceum variation due to its wide global availability. In addition to this, the philodendron type is relatively easier to care for and still offers the same tropical beauty.

Appearance-wise, the philodendron is adorned with heart-shaped lustrous leaves. During its growth, the leaves may appear slightly on the bronze end.

Nevertheless, as they grow, the foliage turns a deep forest green.

As a vining houseplant, the Hederaceum can crawl up to four feet. For this reason, you may want to cut off some nodes on the plant’s stem to encourage fuller rather than longer growth.

If it becomes too leggy, then you can add more of the same species around to get a bushier hanging plant.

Types of Rare Philodendrons

You won’t find these philodendrons in your average garden shop. Instead, you may need to scout for specialized plant collectors to get your hands on these rare finds.

On top of that, you can expect to pay at least ten times the price of a regular philodendron.

Philodendron Rugosum

Philodendron Rugosum

Also named Pigskin, the Ecuadorian Philodendron Rugosum sets itself apart from other philodendrons with its course-textured leaves.

At first glance, you may think that this houseplant is fake or plastic because of its grainy surface. Once you touch the foliage, you’ll instantly feel the thickness.

Despite being thicker than usual, this plant can hold its own weight as a climber. Apart from that, this variation is rarely found in the wild because of habitat loss.

Hastatum Silver Sword

Hastatum Silver Sword

Perhaps one of the most intriguing attributes of this philodendron is its name. The Silver Sword dub is given because, in the right reflective angle, the leaves almost look like a pointed silver blade.

It almost seems like this plant was created in a fantasy novel. Imagination aside, this houseplant is mostly found in Brazil, like other rare varieties.

Its smooth silvery leaves trail through Brazilian rainforest canopies. Nevertheless, due to habitat loss, these plants are mostly houseplants nowadays.

Despite being such a rare plant, its care requirements are similar to other philodendron varieties. It needs indirect light, periodical watering sessions, and lots of humidity.

69686

69686

No, that’s not a typo, it’s a rare philodendron variety. It hasn’t been given a name because of its untraceable origin.

Apart from that, the 69686 offers a different leaf structure compared to the common philodendron heart or paddle-shaped leaves. Instead, it has three extending parts branching from each stem.

Each extension is teardrop-shaped and up to two feet long. Additionally, the tree climber’s foliage is a vibrant green and attached to long narrow stems.

Joepii Philodendron

Joepii Philodendron

In the French Guiana region, a Dutch botanical researcher by the name of Joep Moonen uncovered a rare philodendron variety. He decided to name it after himself, hence the name Joepii.

The houseplant is distinctively shaped. It has a fat lower lobe that tapers into a thin upper extension. Moonen, at first, thought that the plant was eaten by ants from its sides, but he later understood that that was its natural leaf structure.

Moonen’s discovery story was interesting, to say the least. On his trek, he found the plants stationed on an ant’s nest. As he attempted to recover the plant, he fell onto the ant nest.

The ants crawled over him but he managed to catch his discovery just in time.

Philodendron Tortum

The Tortum variety almost looks like a skeletal form of a philodendron. It’s characterized by spindly leaf extensions that might mistake it for a palm species.

The bright green-colored Tortum’s leaves can grow up to a small two to three inches. In terms of width, they can reach a couple of inches wide.

Overall, these houseplants are ideal if you’re looking for a miniature palm tree for your indoor or outdoor space.

Philodendron White Knight

Philodendron White Knight

The White Knight philodendron offers a contrasting color palette of green, white, and cream in its foliage. This philodendron is ideal for minimal interior design.

Luckily, it’s fairly easy to care for, but it may require some patience with regard to its growth habits.

Having said that, the White Knight can grow both indoors and outdoors. If grown in the latter, then an ideal spot would be around a tree or moss pole.

Meanwhile, when kept indoors, be sure to provide at least 70% humidity for healthier growth.

What Is the Rarest Philodendron?

The rarest philodendron title goes to the Brazilian-born Philodendron Spiritus Sancti.

Philodendron Spiritus Sancti

Philodendron Rugosum

Even though its name may sound like the houseplant has a spiritual background, it originates from its hometown in Brazil, Espirito Santo.

This region is the only known area where you can get a Philodendron Spiritus Sancti. In the wild, speculations state that it’s extinct, but others may have found six.

Due to the houseplant being so rare, a mature Spiritus Sancti can cost up to a jaw-dropping $10,000. With such a high price tag, you’re probably wondering what this plant even looks like.

One of the plant’s defining features is its long leaves spanning around a couple of feet. The Spiritus Sancti’s leaf veins are prominently light green compared to its dark-shaded thin foliage.

The aroid plant is a climber and can grow about five feet. Overall, it’s a naturally charming plant, but with that kind of price tag, you’re better off with a more reasonably-priced Moonlight Philodendron.

What Is the Most Beautiful Type of Philodendron

Some types of philodendrons do an exceptional job at standing out and adding more than just greenery to your living space.

Pink Princess Philodendron

Pink Princess Philodendron

This philodendron looks as if you got a bucket of pink paint and splashed it on the dark green leaves. The end result is a beautifully eccentric masterpiece.

Now, the green in plants originates from chlorophyll production. Since this plant has pink parts, there’s an absence of green-making organisms that thrive on sunlight.

In this case, the plant is best kept in indirect light to maintain the colors’ vividness. While you can place this plant in your bedroom, you’ll want to show off this rare princess to your guests in the living room.

Luckily, it won’t make too much of a mess since it’s a self-heading tree. Suffice to say, all the eyes will be on this pink work of art.

Final Thoughts

From white and pink-colored philodendrons to rough-skinned variations, this houseplant provides lots of options.

Its popularity goes back to its easy care routine. This makes it a meaningful gift for novice plant parents.

Aside from that, the plant was used in popular art pieces such as Pablo Picasso’s Woman in the Garden sculpture.

All in all, philodendrons are hardy, simple to care for, and sometimes even art muses.

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