I am a fast-growing, evergreen perennial vine in the aroid family, often grown as a houseplant for my delightful foliage.

My most beloved feature is my abundant, petite, heart-shaped leaves that start a bright, luminous green and gradually darken as they mature. They grow closely spaced along thin, flexible stems.

I have a vigorous, trailing or climbing habit. I will happily cascade over the edges of a pot or climb a moss pole or trellis if given support.

My stems produce aerial roots at the nodes, which help me cling to supports and absorb moisture from the air.

I am native to the tropical rainforests of Central America and the Caribbean.

I prefer consistently moist soil, but not soggy. Water me when the top inch of potting mix feels dry.

I am relatively forgiving of occasional underwatering but will develop crispy leaf edges if neglected too often. Overwatering can lead to root rot.

I appreciate moderate to high humidity (above 50%) to keep my leaves lush and prevent browning. I thrive in bathrooms or near humidifiers.

Use room-temperature water. I am not overly sensitive to tap water minerals.

I thrive in bright, indirect light. This encourages rapid growth and the largest, most vibrant leaves.

I can adapt to medium indirect light, but my growth will slow, and the internodes (spaces between leaves) may become longer, giving a leggier appearance.

Direct sun will scorch my delicate leaves, causing pale, burnt patches. An east or north-facing window is ideal.

I am a tropical vine and prefer warm, stable temperatures between 18°C and 27°C.

I am sensitive to cold drafts and temperatures below 15°C, which can stunt my growth and cause leaf drop.

I am typically grown as a houseplant (USDA zones 10-12 if outdoors in a sheltered spot).

I am the quintessential hanging basket plant, creating beautiful, flowing greenery. I also excel as a climber on indoor trellises or moss poles.

Use a light, well-draining, peat-based potting mix.

Ensure the pot has drainage holes. I like to be slightly root-bound, which can encourage more prolific trailing growth.

Pinch back the growing tips regularly to encourage bushier, fuller growth and prevent me from becoming stringy.

Feed me every 2-4 weeks during the active growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer.

Reduce feeding to once a month in fall and winter, or stop entirely if growth slows.

Over-fertilizing can cause salt buildup and leaf tip burn.

Scientific Name: Philodendron hederaceum (formerly P. scandens), specifically the 'Lemon Lime' or similar brightly-colored cultivar.

Common Names: Heartleaf Philodendron, Sweetheart Plant, Lemon Lime Philodendron

Plant Family: Araceae

Plant Type: Evergreen climbing or trailing vine

Like all philodendrons, I contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. If chewed or ingested by pets or humans, I can cause oral irritation, pain, swelling, drooling, and difficulty swallowing. Keep me out of reach of curious cats and dogs.

I am a well-known air-purifying plant, recognized by NASA's Clean Air Study for removing common household VOCs like formaldehyde. My abundant leaf surface area makes me quite effective.