6 Different Philodendron Varieties You Should Know About

Philodendron is one of the most adored houseplants. From their large glossy leaves to incredible diversity, this houseplant can be the perfect addition to your home.

Are you wondering which philodendron you should buy?

There are over 450 varieties of this tropical plant, categorized according to their growth habit, textures, sizes, and colors.

Some of the best philodendron plants are philodendron Imperial Green, philodendron Xanadu, philodendron Florida Ghost, philodendron Prince of Orange, philodendron gloriosum, and variegated philodendron billietiae being the rarest one.

Want to learn more about these in-demand plants? Then, this guide is for you.

We will take you through 6 different philodendron varieties so that you can pick the perfect plant for your home.

Let’s get started.

1. Variegated philodendron billietiae

Thanks to its genetic configuration, the variegated philodendron billietiae is one of the rarest plants. Plant philodendron billietiae in a prominent spot, as its leaves tend to grow very large. Water the plant regularly since it loves moisture and keeps it under bright light.

The variegated philodendron billietiae has orange leaves and stems with a hue of yellow. On an average count, out of 100,000 plants, only 1 attains foliage via natural variegation.

Therefore, this plant is expensive. A regular philodendron billietiae can be bought for under $60, while its variegated version can cost up to $1,000 for a single leaf.

Variegation comes in numerous colors, including yellow and white. It also has leathery, sturdy leaves.

Philodendron billietiae likes medium-bright light. It can be seen growing around tree logs and river banks, which is why moisture is vital. If you are getting this plant, make sure that it has enough space and water to grow.

But don’t plant it in direct sunlight as its leaves can get tarnished.

2. Philodendron gloriosum

With its heart-shaped green leaves covered with striking white veins, Philodendron gloriosum can make any space stand out. Plant it in well-drained soil and water it regularly. Use an aerated pot and keep the plant under indirect bright sunlight.

Philodendron gloriosum is a creeper native to Colombia. It is also found in other tropical areas of the world like Mexico, Peru, and Ecuador.

A well-aerated and well-watered soil with a pH between 5 – 8 is preferable. Keep the plant under indirect bright light and use a pot having drainage holes.

This plant requires well-drained soil with organic matter. You can use an orchid potting mix and add perlite to enhance the aeration.

You can also add horticultural charcoal to the soil to remove toxins and sweeten the soil for your plant.

Philodendron gloriosum also prefers a bright indirect light as direct light can damage the plant. One way to know whether your plant is getting enough light or not is to check its leaves. If the leaves have too much distance between them and are quite long, then the plant might not be getting enough light.

You should also water the soil but make sure it is not too soggy. Excessive water in the soil can cause root rot.

To ensure better growth, you can also use a half-strength liquid fertilizer in summer and spring. Your plant needs fertilizer if the leaves grow slowly and in a tiny size. Although this plant usually grows very slow and it takes about a month for a leaf to appear, your plant still needs essential nutrients.

Use a pot with drainage holes, so the water does not sit in. Drainage holes will ensure that the excess water drains off quickly.

Check out our Ultimate guide to caring for a Philodendron gloriosum plant.

3. Philodendron imperial green

The philodendron imperial green is an impressive plant with its glossy green, large, and stiff leaves. It is inexpensive, widely available, and also adds a lot of charm to any space. Place the plant under indirect, bright light and water it if the top of the soil feels dry. Make sure the soil is also well-drained.

Philodendron imperial green requires bright, indirect light, and therefore, placing it near a window is a good idea.

The plant does not tolerate being overwatered. Therefore, you should water the plant if the top half of the soil seems dry. Tap water works well for this plant, as the leaves are not overly sensitive to the impurities, chloramines, or fluoride in the water.

And just like other varieties of the philodendron, the soil must be kept well-drained. Therefore, make sure the pot has small drainage holes so that the water drains out consistently.

The soil should consist of 50% of the potting mix and 50% of the drainage amendments such as coarse sand, pumice, or perlite.

If the soil is compacted and drains the water very poorly, you need to re-pot the plant with a lighter mix. You should also ensure it is aerated.

When it comes to the temperature, philodendron imperial green survives well in 50 to 85 Fahrenheit temperatures. Extremely hot or very cold temperatures can damage the leaf.

This plant also requires a lot of nutrients. Therefore, make sure to fertilize the plant after every four weeks during summer and spring.

4. Philodendron Prince of Orange

The philodendron Prince of Orange is a hybrid known for its unique leaves, which change color from yellow to orange and then to dark green. The plant requires water weekly, medium bright but indirect light, and soil full of nutrients.

The philodendron Prince of Orange can reach up to 2 feet tall if well cared for. It is known for its copper and foliage leaves, making it different from other philodendron varieties.

When the philodendron Prince of Orange is young, its leaves appear to be brightly orange. But as it matures, it becomes copper in color. The color then washes out as it ages, and the leaves become green.

Unlike other climber varieties of philodendron, this plant grows from the center base and supports its growth.

Make sure the plant is watered regularly. Keep the soil aerated and fertilize it from time to time to provide essential nutrients to the plant.

Most importantly, do not keep the water under direct sunlight, as its leaves can become dry and damaged. Keep it near a window, so the plant gets indirect medium-bright sunlight.

5. Philodendron Xanadu (Thaumatophyllum Xanadu)

The philodendron Xanadu is known for its shiny and broad leaves with various lobes. It is wider instead of being tall and hardly reaches four feet. Plant it in well-drained soil and provide moderate indirect light to the plant. Make sure the temperature is humid and provide fertilizer every 2 or 4 weeks.

With its upright growth and wide-spread leaves, philodendron Xanadu can be a great addition to your home. This tropical plant doesn’t require any staking or extra support.

With origins from Brazil, this easy-to-maintain plant requires light, open, and a well-draining potting mix to grow well. It also needs moist soil.

Therefore, make sure the plant does not get soggy when watering, or the roots can rot.

Philodendron Xanadu grows best between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It also needs regular nutrients. You can fertilize the plant with a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer every 2 or 4 weeks during the growing season.

If you want to propagate the Xanadu plant, you can do it by division or cutting the stems. Although the plant is fairly resistant to pests, Erwinia can be a real threat, resulting in root rot.

6. Philodendron Florida Ghost

The philodendron Florida Ghost is known for its eye-catching, highly variegated foliage. Ranging from a mottled green color to creamy white leaves, this plant pleases eyes.

The Philodendron ‘Florida Ghost’ is a shape-shifter because it changes its color and form while growing.

Its irregular young oval leaves develop shallow “arms,” which grow into lobes as the plant matures.

Although it is a hardy plant, it requires a hefty amount of light compared to any other variety of philodendrons. Therefore, ensure the plant is placed under a shade, but the light it receives is bright.

Conclusion

Everyone is fond of Philodendrons. There are over 450 varieties of this plant alone, and therefore, it can be challenging to choose one for your home.

We like philodendron plants like philodendron Imperial Green, philodendron Xanadu, philodendron Florida Ghost, philodendron Prince of Orange, philodendron gloriosum, and variegated philodendron billietiae.

Regardless of which variety you pick, make sure to water it regularly. Keep the soil well-moisturized and aerated. Also, use a balanced fertilizer to provide regular nutrients to your plant.