How to Grow and Care for Philodendron ‘Brasil’

16.12.2023 - 22:43 / gardenerspath.com / Kristine Lofgren

How to Grow and Care for Philodendron ‘Brasil’ Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’

The standard heartleaf philodendron is charming, but add some variegated lime and lemon coloring to the green foliage, and you’ve got an extra special houseplant.

Since ‘Brasil’ hit the market a few decades ago, it has become a must-have philodendron, and it’s not hard to see why. This cultivar is tough, easygoing, and undeniably good-looking.

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If you’re ready to learn where P. hederaceum ‘Brasil’ came from and how to cultivate your own, this guide can help.

Here’s what’s in the coming attractions:

Let’s start by talking about where this beloved cultivar came from:

Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’ is a heartleaf philodendron cultivar that stands out from the species plant with its lemon, lime, and dark green variegated foliage.

P. hederaceum used to be classified as P. scandens, so you might see it sold under that name.

The young stems and petioles emerge as a beautiful reddish-pink and age to reddish-orange before turning green with light green and sometimes yellow variegation when mature.

It has a cascading, trailing growth habit and attaches itself to supports via a twining growth habit and aerial roots.

The variegation is unstable, which means that no two leaves will look alike, and sometimes leaves will be entirely yellow, light green, or green.

In the wild in South America where the species grows indigenously, the plant is a secondary hemiepiphyte.

It starts life in the soil and later attaches to a tree or shrub to access light, water, and nutrients. It’s not a parasite; it just uses the other plant