Philodendron Scandens (Sweetheart Plant, Heart Leaf)
Description
Native to Central America and the Caribbean, Philodendron scandens also known as the Sweetheart Plant, or Heart-Leaf, due to the beautiful leaf shape with mature plants producing green-white floors. The Philodendron supported as a climber or just left trailing off a bookcase or shelf can grow to huge lengths with mature plants producing green-white flowers. Water whenever you remember. Likes to be moist but try not to overwater. Feed occasionally with any convenient diluted plant fertiliser. Temperature / Humidity Thrives in comfortable room temperatures. The Winter minimum temperature is around 13°C (55°F). Mist whenever you feel guilty about neglecting your houseplants. Pet / Child Like Rhubarb, this Philodendron has leaves containing toxic calcium oxalate. Wear gloves when pruning and keep the cuttings away from pets. Soil Type Use a high-quality potting compost to keep your Sweetheart Plant green and vigorous. When repotting, many traditional gardeners place broken pottery or slates in the pot base to improve drainage. Light / Position Avoid positioning this vine in bright sunlight. Happily tolerates shade, but prefers medium ambient light levels. Great in a basket or trailing from a high shelf. Growth / Spread This is a jungle vine that can grow up to 4m (13ft) tall in the wild. Cut back as required. Health Benefits This plant is listed in NASA’s ‘Interior Landscape Plants for Indoor Air Pollution Abatement’ Report. Devil’s Ivy is also excellent for converting household Carbon Dioxide (CO2) into Oxygen. Geographic Origins Philodendron can be found growing wild in Brazil, Mexico and the West Indies.