20+ Most Popular Types of Philodendron

If you have plans to set up an interior garden, you would have thought about including any number of many types of philodendrons.

It is no surprise, either, because these plants have been a favorite of gardeners for years. There are many reasons why many gardening experts recommend philodendrons to those who get started.

First, they are effortless to care for. There are not many plants like philodendrons that tell you what they want. It means you can look at the plant and understand what is wrong.

However, one small problem with these plants is that you must narrow your selection of the many different types of philodendrons. If you did not know, philodendrons are a genus under which you can find 489 described species and undescribed species exceeding that number.

It would be best to keep in mind that each of these types of philodendron come with different lifespans and growth types. So, you will have to analyze and understand which one is the best for your region and its climate.

What Exactly Is A Philodendron?

Philodendron is one of the largest genera of flowering plants that hail from the biological family of Araceae.

As we said, you can find more than 489 species of plants under this genus, but they share some similarities to an extent. For instance, almost all types of philodendrons can live without direct sunlight because their roots go back to the rainforests.

It is one reason why philodendrons perform well as a pot plant for interior gardens and other shade-based gardening needs. The way a philodendron looks may vary according to the species and its age, but the color can be green, red, or white.

On the other hand, the plant’s foliage may even become coppery or purplish in terms of looks. Given the high number of species under the genus, it is implausible to predict the plant’s color and overall looks.

The growth habits of a philodendron also depend on the species. While some types of philodendron can grow by attaching themselves to other plants, some species can stay as an epiphyte for their entire life.

Some rare species will grow terrestrially as well. You may have to look at these patterns and choose one species based on the kind of interior garden you want to set up.

We believe this is sufficient information you should know about philodendrons as a genus. Now, we will look at the most popular types of philodendron that you can consider.

20+ Most Popular Types of Philodendron

#1 Philodendron hederaceum

• Native: South Africa, the Caribbean
• Size: Small to Medium
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Philodendron hederaceum is probably the most popular types of philodendron you can find worldwide. People love this species for its heart-shaped leaves and vivid colors.

Compared to other species from the genus, the hederaceum one does not require high maintenance. It is an excellent choice for those who want to build their very first indoor or outdoor garden.

Regardless of where you plant it, the stem can reach up to a height of three or four feet at maximum. Finally, you can expect this species to last for up to 25 years.

#2 Philodendron Erubescens

• Native: South American Rainforests and Costa Rica
• Size: Small
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Probably the second-favorite option of philodendron gardeners, the Philodendron Erubescens is an excellent choice for indoor gardens.

Because it hails from the South American rainforests, it does not do well with lots of sunlight. Instead, you should give this plant enough shade if you want the best growth rates.

It is also one of the species that become so vivid with its red leaf and the brown-based finish. However, you can keep it in your office or on a big desk because of the small size.

#3 Philodendron bipinnatifidum

• Native: South America
• Size: Small
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Philodendron bipinnatifidum is another species you can consider as your indoor plant. Like the previous species mentioned, bipinnatifidum does not require direct sunlight.

You have to keep it away from direct sunlight exposure. It is also worth noting that it is not a climbing plant. However, with the best growth rates, the plant can have a width of up to five feet.

Also known as Hope Plant and Lacey tree, this variety is straightforward to take care of too.

#4 Philodendron Micans

• Native: Dominica and Tobago
• Size: Small
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

You can consider the Philodendron Micans species if you need an easy-to-maintain plant for your in-house garden.

It means you can care the least about the plant, and it will reach maturity without much trouble. You also have the freedom to choose between various pots for this plant.

The velvety texture of the plant is also quite attractive. A plant that does not like direct sunlight, Philodendron Micans, must be kept in a dark environment.

#5 Philodendron Moonlight

• Native: South America
• Size: Small
• Indoor/Outdoor: Both

If you are looking for a simple houseplant that does not become a headache, you can get the Philodendron Moonlight species.

This species is a smaller variant of the heart-leaf philodendron listed in the first position. However, you would not have trouble setting it up in a small pot due to the tiny size.

You will love this plant for its pop colors and for not being a climber. Because of their hybrid nature, you can keep these plants indoors and outdoors.

#6 Philodendron White Knight

• Native: South America
• Size: Small
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

If you want to add a more colorful plant to your indoor garden, you should check out the Philodendron White Knight.

Even though it does not require so much effort from your side, you will love the diverse look of the plant in a couple of years. Its cream-colored stems and brown patches will be a significant element of one of the best indoor plants.

Even though the plant tends to climb, you can stop this by clipping it every six months or once a year.

#7 Philodendron Rugosum

• Native: Ecuador
• Size: Medium
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Philodendron Rugosum is one of the rare-to-acquire philodendron varieties in the world right now.

However, if you can get one of these plants, the Ecuador-based plant will be a great addition to your indoor garden. Even though the shape of the leaf may look like other philodendron varieties, the pattern and color of the leaf are unique to a great extent.

It is also interesting to see that the plant may have different leaves that show different ways.

#8 Philodendron Xanadu

• Native: Brazil
• Size: Large
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Philodendron Xanadu is one of the philodendron varieties that become wider instead of height.

Therefore, if you have an indoor garden right next to the balcony or a window, this variety will be a superb addition for sure. Even though the plant is somewhat large, managing the species seems relatively compact for the most part.

Because of its remarkable adaptability, you would not have trouble finding a variety from this class. They are inexpensive as well.

#9 Philodendron Hastatum

• Native: Brazil
• Size: Medium
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Philodendron Hastatum is another variety of philodendron that hails from Brazil. However, it shows a color you are not familiar with in other varieties.

Because of the white and cream color that it shines in, the Philodendron Hastatum species is also known as the Silver Sword.

Although it is a climber plant, you can limit its growth to a pot by regularly clipping the leaves. As the plant reaches maturity, it may acquire a different color like blue, green, or gray.

#10 Philodendron Brandtianum

• Native: Peru, Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia
• Size: Small
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Philodendron Brandtianum is an excellent option if you need a colorful addition to your indoor plant setup. Because the plant does not require direct sunlight, you can keep it in dark places as well.

Even then, its leaves that combine the shades of green and white will steal your mind. In addition to growing up relatively quickly, the plant may also become a climber.

In terms of the overall outlook, though, philodendron Brandtianum is different from other philodendron varieties.

#11 Philodendron Prince of Orange

• Native: Tropical
• Size: Large
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

As you can guess from the name, Philodendron Prince of Orange is a unique variation on this list. Because it is native to the tropical climate, you should be careful about where you place the plant.

You can put it in your garden, but you must ensure that it gets enough shade. Apart from this, the large orange leaves will attract your attention on any day.

Because it does not climb, you will have a broad plant in a couple of years, which many people want from a philodendron variety.

#12 Philodendron pedatum

• Native: Brazil and Venezuela
• Size: Small
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

There are times when you need a decent philodendron variety that does not require too much effort from your side.

We believe the Philodendron pedatum is an excellent option for it. Even though you have to care for it like you would any other philodendron variety, this plant has shape-changing leaves.

As it grows and reaches the edge of maturity, you will have an entirely different philodendron plant altogether. However, to keep it shining all the time, you will often have to clean the plant.

#13 Philodendron Florida Ghost

• Native: Colombia
• Size: Small
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Even though it has Florida in its name, this type of philodendron comes from Colombia. It also happens to improve the Philodendron pedatum that we just covered.

Like the previous one, this type of plant can change its shape and color as it grows old. At the same time, setting up the plant does not take a lot of time.

In the end, you would have a type of philodendron that attracts anyone’s attention in an instant. By the way, you can find some advanced variants like Florida Mint Ghost as well.

#14 Philodendron Green Congo

• Native: Tropical America
• Size: Medium
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

If you are looking for a low-maintenance philodendron variety that looks awesome, you must consider what the Philodendron Green Congo has to offer.

Staying true to its name, the plant has elongated leaves and has the typical heart shape you see with Philodendron types. However, its medium size and the ability to stand tropical conditions make the variety extraordinary.

It is worth noting that you may not find the Green Congo variant in normal nurseries.

#15 Philodendron Thai Sunrise

• Native: Southeastern Mexico
• Size: Medium
• Indoor/Outdoor: Both

Philodendron Thai Sunrise is one of the other philodendron types you can find today. However, you must be ready to spend a considerable amount on getting one of these varieties.

As you can guess, this philodendron type is a result of crossing and hybrid cultivation. Therefore, you would not have trouble keeping this in your indoor or outdoor garden.

In particular, you can use this plant as an excellent addition to your tabletop or a working desk. In both cases, the mixture of the green leaves with the highlights will grab your attention in no time.

#16 Philodendron Black Cardinal

• Native: Peru
• Size: Medium
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Some people love to have a dark-shaded philodendron on their desk or at the window side. If you are one of them, you can consider getting the Philodendron Black Cardinal.

This variety comes from the best lands of Peru and can become a valuable addition to your garden. The best part is that its reddish stems and leaves can become darker as the plant reaches maturity.

Since it has been growing in a world without much direct sunlight, you should keep the plant away from the window, providing only medium sunlight.

#17 Philodendron Subhastatum

• Native: Colombia
• Size: Medium
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

If you are looking for one of the exquisite types of philodendron, you should consider the Philodendron Subhastatum as the perfect pick.

This plant variant comes from Colombia, but you would not have trouble growing it in your house or flat. You must keep it away from direct sunlight, though.

If you can take care of this aspect, the Philodendron Subhastatum would make you fall in love with the greenish layer on one of its sides and the brownish one on the other side.

Faux Philodendrons You Can Choose

Now, we will look at some of the best philodendron varieties you can find in the market.

You can check out these options when you want a similar plant but are seeing a different look from the typical types of philodendron.

Most of the faux philodendron varieties we have listed below come from different genera of flowering plants. Therefore, you can escape from the potential issues of a typical philodendron.

#18 Monstera Deliciosa

• Native: Southern Mexico
• Size: Medium
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Hailing from the tropical regions of Southern Mexico, Monstera Deliciosa is one of the most popular faux philodendron varieties you can find.

Even though it has become an invasive species in some areas, you would not have trouble converting the plant to a desk setup or the multi-species indoor garden.

However, it would help if you kept in mind that Monstera Deliciosa can get exceptionally bigger. Therefore, you should plan before choosing the pot. You have to keep it away from bright sunlight as well.

#19 Mini Monstera

• Native: Tropical Mexico
• Size: Small
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

If you think Monstera Deliciosa is a little too big to handle, you should consider getting the Mini Monstera.

As you can guess, Mini Monstera is an optimized variant of the Monstera Deliciosa Philodendron variety. It would be easy to manage, and you can accommodate this plant in a small pot.

Because this does not become as big as the original Monstera, even those who have a small indoor garden can get this green-powered philodendron to their collection.

#20 Watermelon Peperomia

• Native: South America
• Size: Small
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

Even though it has the word watermelon in its name, the Watermelon Peperomia faux philodendron does not connect to watermelon varieties.

Instead, it is a small-sized flowering plant that can easily replace a typical philodendron in your indoor garden. Because of the striped leaves, this plant type has a unique look compared to others.

It is also convenient that you do not have to spend too much time looking after the plant. You must not expose the plant to direct sunlight for too long.

#21 Calathea Orbifolia

• Native: Bolivia
• Size: Small
• Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor

The last option on our list, Calathea Orbifolia, is another faux philodendron you can easily choose. It is also one of the common plants you would see in a household.

Like many of the types of philodendron we have listed above, Calathea Orbifolia also requires an equal amount of sunlight and a matching shade.

You should ensure that the plant has access to better humidity and drainage. If you keep the plant under these significant conditions, it will quickly become an excellent addition to your indoor garden.

Conclusion

As you may have noticed, there are many similarities between the different types of philodendron we have listed.

However, you should go deep into the details and understand the differences before choosing one type over the other.

We believe our guide will help you make an informed selection based on the size and nature of the philodendron variety. If you’re interested in reading more about plants, check out the posts here.