GrowSabzHow to grow philodendron in pots
Also called Heartleaf Philodendron, Split-Leaf Philodendron, Swiss Cheese Plant, philo · Philodendron spp.
فلوڈینڈرون
- ☀️ Sunlight
- 2–4hours daily
- 💧 Water
- 0.3 Levery 7 days, 5 L pot
- 🌡️ Ideal temp
- 18–27°C
- 🪴 Min pot
- 5 L15 cm deep
- 🧺 Harvest
- 90–120days from sowing
Philodendron is a long game. From seed it takes 1-2 years to reach a good size from seed before you see a harvest, which is why most growers start from a nursery plant. Container growing is entirely possible, but the container has to be sized for a plant that will live in it for years.
Short answer
Grow philodendron in a 5 litre container at least 15 cm deep, watering about 500 ml per 10 litres of soil every 7 days, and keep temperatures between 18 and 27 °C. First harvest comes 90–120 days after sowing.
Where to plant it
What size pot does philodendron need?
5 litres and 15 cm deep is the realistic minimum for a single plant. Pick a container below to see what changes.
| Container | Minimum size | Depth | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pot | 5 L | 15 cm | Ensure good drainage and choose a pot size appropriate for the plant's current size. |
| Grow bag | 5 L | 15 cm | Fabric grow bags provide excellent aeration and drainage, reducing the risk of root rot. |
| Open ground | — | 20 cm | Only suitable for tropical climates; provide support for climbing varieties. |
| Raised bed | 10 L | 20 cm | Allows for better control over soil composition and drainage, ideal for outdoor tropical settings. |
Watering
How often should you water philodendron?
Every 7 days through the growing season, at about 500 ml per 10 litres of soil — every 5 days in hot weather, every 14 days when it turns cool. Water at morning. Bottom watering or top watering until drainage works best.
Too little water
- drooping leaves
- leaf curling
- slow growth
Too much water
- yellowing leaves
- mushy stem
- root rot
- fungus gnats
Avoid: standing water; soggy soil; shallow frequent watering.
Climate
Can you grow philodendron where you live?
No hardiness zone needed — compare your actual temperatures against the plant's own limits.
| Ideal range | 18 – 27 °C |
|---|---|
| Survives | 10 – 35 °C |
| Germinates above | 21 °C — best at 27 °C, about 21 days |
| Flowers drop | above 30 °C, or below 15 °C |
| Sunlight | 2–6 hrs/day, best 4 |
| Frost | Highly sensitive — will not survive it |
The flower-drop thresholds matter more than the survival ones. A plant can be perfectly alive at 35 °C and still give you nothing.
How cold is too cold for philodendron? Check your temperaturesEnter your night low and day high — see if it survives, and if it will cropTimeline
Philodendron growing stages, day by day
Click any stage to see what's happening. Durations shift with temperature — a warm season runs roughly a quarter faster than a cool one.
Feeding
Fertiliser schedule for philodendron
Feed on the interval below, changing what you give as the plant shifts from making leaves to making fruit.
| Stage | What to use | Per 10 L | Every |
|---|
How to prepare each feed
Common mistakes
Why philodendron fails, and how to avoid it
- A container that is too small
Below 5 litres the root run is too shallow. The plant grows, flowers late, and drops whatever it sets because it cannot support the crop.
- Watering too lightly
A daily splash wets the top few centimetres and nothing else. Philodendron wants about 500 ml per 10 litres of soil — one deep soak beats three shallow ones.
- Ignoring the flower-drop threshold
Above 30 °C, or below 15 °C, flowers fall before setting. The plant can look perfectly healthy and still give you nothing — shade it through the hottest hours.
- Planting it beside Cactus
Cacti and succulents require significantly less water and much brighter, direct light than philodendrons, making them incompatible in shared growing conditions.
- Leaving it out through a cold snap
Philodendron is highly frost-sensitive. One night below 10 °C can end the plant outright — bring containers in or cover them.
Companions
What to plant with philodendron
Good neighbours
Shares similar care requirements (indirect light, moderate watering) and thrives in similar indoor environments, creating a lush display.
As fellow tropical Aroids, they have similar needs for humidity, light, and soil, making them good companions in a shared pot or display.
Many fern varieties enjoy the same high humidity and indirect light conditions as philodendrons, complementing each other aesthetically.
Both prefer consistent moisture and indirect light, and are known for their air-purifying qualities, making them excellent indoor partners.
Keep apart from
Cacti and succulents require significantly less water and much brighter, direct light than philodendrons, making them incompatible in shared growing conditions.
Succulents thrive in dry soil and bright, direct sunlight, conditions that would lead to root rot and scorched leaves for philodendrons.
While both are popular houseplants, Ficus lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig) requires much brighter, consistent light and is more sensitive to changes, making it a challenging companion for shade-loving philodendrons.
Problems
Philodendron pests and diseases
Each lists the weather that brings it on, so you know when to start checking rather than reacting once it's established.
Spider Mites humidity <50% · temp >27
Tiny pests causing stippling (small dots) on leaves, especially on the undersides. Fine webbing may be visible in severe infestations. Thrive in dry, warm conditions.
Mealybugs humidity any · temp 18-30
Small, white, cottony insects found in leaf axils and undersides of leaves. They suck sap, weakening the plant and leaving sticky honeydew.
Scale Insects humidity any · temp 18-30
Small, oval, brown or tan bumps on stems and leaves. They are immobile and suck sap, leading to yellowing leaves and stunted growth. Also produce honeydew.
Aphids humidity any · temp 15-25
Small, soft-bodied insects, often green or black, clustering on new growth and undersides of leaves. They deform new leaves and can transmit viruses.
Root Rot humidity any · temp any
Caused by overwatering and poor drainage. Leaves yellow, wilt, and eventually turn brown/black. Roots become soft and mushy. A common killer of indoor philodendrons.
Leaf Spot humidity >70% · temp 20-30
Dark, water-soaked spots on leaves, often with a yellow halo. Can be fungal or bacterial, exacerbated by high humidity and water on leaves.
Yellowing Leaves humidity any · temp any
Common symptom of various issues: over/underwatering, nutrient deficiency, insufficient light, or natural aging of lower leaves. Assess care routine.
Brown Tips Edges humidity <60% · temp any
Browning of leaf tips or edges often indicates low humidity, inconsistent watering, or fluoride/salt buildup in the soil. Increase humidity and flush soil.
Harvest
When to harvest philodendron
First picking falls between day 90 and day 120, and the plant then keeps producing for about 365 days. Pick often — what you leave on the plant signals it to stop making more.
How to tell it's ready
- Leggy growth
- Overgrown plant
- Desire for propagation
How much to expect
Storing it: Not applicable (for cuttings, it's propagation)
Questions
Philodendron: common questions
How long does philodendron take to grow?
About 365 days from sowing to the first harvest, with picking usually starting between day 90 and day 120. It then keeps producing for roughly 365 more days. Warm weather pulls that forward; cool weather pushes it back.
What size pot does philodendron need?
At least 5 litres and 15 cm deep for one plant. A raised bed wants 10 litres of soil and 20 cm of depth.
How often should I water philodendron?
About 500 ml per 10 litres of soil, every 7 days in normal weather — every 5 days when it is hot and every 14 days when cool. Water in the morning.
Why is my philodendron flowering but not fruiting?
Almost always pollination. Philodendron carries separate male and female flowers and needs pollen moved between them — without insects, nothing sets. Hand-pollinate in the morning with a male flower brushed against the centre of a female one.
What temperature does philodendron need?
It does best between 18 °C and 27 °C and survives from 10 °C to 35 °C. Seed needs soil above 21 °C to germinate, ideally around 27 °C.
Can I grow philodendron in winter?
Not outdoors anywhere that frosts — it is highly frost-sensitive and will not survive it. In a frost-free winter it grows slowly; anywhere colder, treat it as a warm-season crop.
How do I know when philodendron is ready to harvest?
Leggy growth; Overgrown plant; Desire for propagation. Once picked: not applicable (for cuttings, it's propagation)