Heartleaf Philodendron problems & how to fix them

Philodendron hederaceum

Drooping, yellowing, brown tips, or a plant that just won’t thrive? Here are the most common Heartleaf Philodendron problems, what usually causes them, and how to turn things around.

Common problems

Overwatering

Yellow leaves almost always trace back to watering on a schedule rather than checking the soil. The soil is staying wet longer than the plant can handle, starving roots of oxygen. If caught before roots start rotting, the fix is simple - let the soil dry out and adjust the routine - and most plants bounce back within 2-3 weeks.

Example of a yellowing lower leaf on a potted Chinese evergreen, on another plant — Example on another plant
a yellowing lower leaf on a potted Chinese evergreen
Photo: Saurav9656 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Root rot

Sustained wet soil in low light rots this otherwise unkillable plant. A fungal or bacterial infection of the roots, almost always triggered by soil staying wet too long. Caught early, most plants recover within a few weeks after repotting; if most roots are already mushy, recovery is uncertain.

Etiolation (insufficient light)

Dim corners give long, bare vines with small widely spaced leaves. The plant is stretching toward light it isn't getting: long gaps between leaves, pale thin growth, and leaning. Stretched growth never compacts again, but with more light all new growth comes in full and sturdy - the plant's future is good.

Example of etiolated seedlings stretching pale toward the light, on another plant — Example on another plant
etiolated seedlings stretching pale toward the light
Photo: சஞ்சீவி சிவகுமார் · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Mealybugs

Cottony pests hide where leaves meet stems on crowded, dusty plants. Slow-moving sap-sucking insects that look like bits of white cotton stuck in leaf joints. They are stubborn but very treatable with repeated spot treatment; expect steady improvement over 3-4 weeks.

Example of a long-tailed mealybug on a leaf, on another plant — Example on another plant
a long-tailed mealybug on a leaf
Photo: D-Kuru · CC BY-SA 3.0 at · Wikimedia Commons

The mistakes that most often kill it

Drowning it — overwatering is essentially the only way beginners kill this plant.
Leaving it in a waterlogged cachepot with no drainage.
Sustained cold below about 50°F (10 °C).

Not sure what’s wrong?

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