Care guides › Indoor garden › Heartleaf philodendron
Heartleaf philodendron care in Melbourne
Philodendron hederaceum · Toxic to cats and dogs
Heart-shaped leaves on long trailing stems. Here is how much light it wants, which windows suit it, and how often to water it through a Melbourne year.

- LightLow light to bright, out of direct sun
- WaterEvery 7 days in summerEvery 14 in winter. Water when the top 3 cm of soil are dry, until it drains out the bottom.
- FeedEvery 4 weeks, Oct to MarLiquid feed at half strength. Nothing over winter.
- AirOrdinary room airNo misting needed.
Which window suits a heartleaf philodendron
In Melbourne the sun sits to the north, so north windows are the brightest and south the softest. Where it does well, by window and distance from the glass:
-
North-facing window
2.5 h of sun in summer · 9 h in winterOn the sillToo sunny1-2 m backGoodFar sideGood -
East-facing window
5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winterOn the sillToo sunny1-2 m backGoodFar sideGood -
South-facing window
1.5 h of sun in summer · 0 h in winterOn the sillGood1-2 m backGoodFar sideGood -
West-facing window
5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winterOn the sillToo sunny1-2 m backGoodFar sideGood
A Melbourne year with a heartleaf philodendron
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water every | 7d | 7d | 7d | 14d | 14d | 14d | 14d | 14d | 14d | 7d | 7d | 7d |
| Feed | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Repot check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
If something looks wrong
Yellow lower leaves and wet soil
Too much water. Let the top of the soil dry before the next drink; in winter that is about every 14 days.
Pale or scorched patches
Direct sun through glass. Move it 1-2 m back from the window, or behind a sheer curtain.
No new growth for months
Normal in a dim spot, and in winter anywhere. It grows faster with more light, but it will not die without it.
Fine webbing or white fluff under the leaves
Spider mite or mealybug, most often as the weather warms. Wipe it off and check again in a week.
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