Plant Library
Types of philodendron — 12 varieties for every home
The 12 most common types of philodendron identified — heartleaf, Brasil, Pink Princess, Birkin, Selloum, Micans and more — with care signals and prices.
Types of philodendron — 12 varieties for every home
Philodendron is a genus of around 500 tropical aroids from Central and South America, and roughly a dozen show up regularly in US garden centers. They split visually into two groups — climbing vines (heartleaf, Brasil, Micans, Pink Princess) and self-heading rosettes (Selloum, Xanadu, Birkin, Imperial). Some are $8 at the supermarket; others run into the hundreds at specialty growers. This guide walks through the 12 types of philodendron you will actually encounter, what makes each one recognizable, and what to expect to pay in 2026.
Match a philodendron to your light: Photograph your spot in Growli and we measure the light level — then recommend three philodendron types ranked by fit for the exact exposure.
How we group the 12 types
Philodendron splits cleanly into two growth habits.
- Climbing or trailing vines with heart-shaped or arrow-shaped leaves that lengthen on a moss pole or drape from a hanging basket. Heartleaf, Brasil, Micans, Pink Princess, White Knight, Lemon Lime fall here.
- Self-heading rosettes with compact upright growth from a central crown. Birkin, Selloum, Xanadu, Imperial Green, Imperial Red, Prince of Orange, Moonlight fall here.
Climbing types are easier to propagate from stem cuttings and are usually cheaper at retail. Self-heading types make better statement plants because they hold their shape without support.
Climbing and trailing philodendrons
1. Heartleaf philodendron — Philodendron hederaceum
The original. Thin, soft, uniformly green heart-shaped leaves on a long trailing vine with visible aerial roots. Often confused with pothos but philodendron leaves are softer, more elongated, and the new growth emerges from a pink protective sheath (cataphyll). The most forgiving philodendron in the genus.
Care signal: Medium to bright indirect light, water when top 2 cm of soil are dry.
Pet safety: ASPCA lists Heartleaf Philodendron as Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses due to insoluble calcium oxalates.
Cross-link: /plant-care/philodendron-hederaceum and /plant-care/philodendron.
2. Philodendron Brasil — Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil'
The yellow-and-green cultivar of heartleaf. Same trailing habit but with chartreuse-to-yellow central stripes that resemble the Brazilian flag colors. More tolerant of variable conditions than most variegated plants because the variegation is yellow (containing chlorophyll) rather than white.
Care signal: Medium to bright indirect light, water when top 2 cm dries.
Pet safety: Same as heartleaf — toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA.
Cross-link: /plant-care/philodendron-brasil.
3. Philodendron Micans — Philodendron hederaceum var. hederaceum
The velvet-leaved heartleaf. Soft iridescent leaves with a velvety bronze, copper, or deep-purple sheen that shifts in different light. Smaller leaves than standard heartleaf, slightly slower-growing, and worth the slight price premium for the foliage texture.
Care signal: Medium to bright indirect light, water when top 2 cm dries.
Pet safety: Same as heartleaf — toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA.
Cross-link: /plant-care/philodendron-micans.
4. Pink Princess — Philodendron erubescens 'Pink Princess'
The famous pink-variegated climbing philodendron. Dark green to nearly black leaves with bubblegum-pink sectoral variegation in patches, half-moons, or marbled splashes. Variegation is genetically chimeral and unstable — high-variegation specimens command premium prices and can revert.
Care signal: Bright indirect light, water when top 2 cm dries.
Price (US, 2026): Costa Farms has scaled Pink Princess into big-box distribution — 6-inch pots run roughly $50–80 at Home Depot, Lowe's, and Walmart for low-variegation specimens. Etsy and specialty growers ask $80–250 for 4-inch pots with stronger pink expression and well over $1,000 for premium half-moon or "pink moon" leaves. Prices have softened from the 2021 peak as Costa Farms tissue culture flooded supply.
Pet safety: All Philodendron erubescens cultivars share the genus toxicity — toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA.
5. White Knight — Philodendron 'White Knight'
The pure-white sister to Pink Princess. Dark green leaves with bold white variegation in sectoral patches; stems show characteristic burgundy-and-white striping. Less stable than Thai Constellation Monstera — White Knight commonly reverts in low light.
Care signal: Bright indirect light, water when top 2 cm dries.
Pet safety: Not separately listed by ASPCA. Assume potentially toxic and keep out of reach of pets — all Philodendron contain calcium oxalate crystals.
6. Lemon Lime — Philodendron hederaceum 'Lemon Lime'
The neon-yellow heartleaf cultivar. Bright chartreuse-to-yellow heart-shaped leaves on a trailing vine. Pops in low-light corners where greener cultivars look dull.
Care signal: Medium to bright indirect light, water when top 2 cm dries.
Pet safety: Same as heartleaf — toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA.
Self-heading philodendrons
7. Philodendron Birkin — Philodendron 'Birkin'
A compact self-heading cultivar with dark green leaves striped in cream-to-white pinstripes. Each leaf is different. A stable sport of Rojo Congo, mass-produced by tissue culture — affordable in 4-inch pots at big-box retailers ($15–25).
Care signal: Bright indirect light, water when top 2 cm dries.
Pet safety: Toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA (all Philodendron).
8. Tree philodendron — Philodendron bipinnatifidum (often sold as P. selloum)
The big landscape philodendron. Deeply lobed mature leaves up to 3 feet across on a thick upright trunk. Reaches 6–8 feet indoors and is widely sold as a 1-gallon nursery plant for $20–40. ASPCA still uses "Philodendron selloum" in its toxic-plant database.
Care signal: Bright indirect to filtered direct light, water when top 2 cm dries.
Pet safety: ASPCA Tree Philodendron page lists Philodendron selloum as Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats due to insoluble calcium oxalates.
Cross-link: /plant-care/tree-philodendron.
9. Xanadu — Philodendron 'Xanadu' (now Thaumatophyllum xanadu)
The compact tree philodendron. Multi-lobed leaves on a self-heading rosette that reaches 3–4 feet at maturity. Botanically reclassified to Thaumatophyllum in 2018 but still sold as Philodendron in retail. Great for filling a low corner.
Care signal: Bright indirect light, water when top 2 cm dries.
Pet safety: Toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA (all former Philodendron).
10. Imperial Green / Imperial Red — Philodendron 'Imperial Green' / 'Imperial Red'
Compact self-heading hybrids with large glossy paddle-shaped leaves. Imperial Green stays consistent dark green; Imperial Red emerges deep burgundy and matures to dark green. The mall-atrium philodendron — bulletproof under fluorescent light.
Care signal: Low to bright indirect light, water when top 2 cm dries.
Pet safety: Toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA (all Philodendron).
11. Prince of Orange — Philodendron 'Prince of Orange'
Compact self-heading cultivar with new leaves that emerge bright orange, transition through yellow, and mature to green. Like Imperial Red, the color show happens on new growth.
Care signal: Bright indirect light, water when top 2 cm dries.
Pet safety: Toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA (all Philodendron).
12. Moonlight — Philodendron 'Moonlight'
Compact self-heading cultivar with chartreuse-to-yellow new growth that matures to medium green. Brighter than Lemon Lime and self-heading rather than trailing.
Care signal: Bright indirect light, water when top 2 cm dries.
Pet safety: Toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA (all Philodendron).
Philodendron pet safety — what ASPCA actually says
The ASPCA database confirms every Philodendron entry — Heartleaf, Split Leaf, Tree (P. selloum), Cutleaf, Horsehead, Variegated, Lacy Tree, and Philodendron Pertusum — is toxic to both cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Symptoms include intense oral irritation, burning of the mouth and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Treat the entire genus as toxic regardless of cultivar — there are no pet-safe philodendron. If your pet chews leaves, call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435.
How to choose the right type of philodendron
For most US homes, start with a heartleaf philodendron ($8–15 at any big-box retailer). It tolerates low to bright indirect light, forgives missed waterings, and trails attractively from a shelf or bookcase. If you want a yellow accent in a darker corner, swap in Brasil or Lemon Lime — the chlorophyll-rich variegation tolerates less light than the white-variegated cultivars.
For a statement floor plant, look at the self-heading group. Imperial Green and Imperial Red dominate mall and hotel lobbies because they fill a corner without support and tolerate fluorescent lighting. Selloum (tree philodendron) reaches 6–8 feet indoors and gives you a serious tropical anchor — though it needs floor space because the mature leaves spread 3 feet across.
Variegated cultivars (Pink Princess, White Knight, Birkin) want more light than green forms because the white or pink tissue carries less chlorophyll. They also command premium prices: Birkin is the affordable entry at $15–25 from big-box retailers thanks to tissue culture, while Pink Princess ranges from $50 at Home Depot for low-variegation specimens to over $1,000 for premium half-moon leaves. Avoid Pink Princess as a first philodendron — without dialed-in light, the pink fades and the plant disappoints.
The Costa Farms big-box expansion in 2023–2024 has democratized previously rare cultivars. A "rare" Pink Princess that cost $200 for a 4-inch pot in 2021 is now $50–80 at Home Depot in 2026. Check big-box prices before paying specialty-grower premiums.
Common care across the genus
Four rules cover every philodendron on the list.
Light. Bright indirect light is the safe target. Most types tolerate medium to low indirect light (the heartleaf trio excels here), but variegated cultivars want brighter conditions to maintain color. Direct afternoon sun scorches leaves on every cultivar except Selloum and Xanadu.
Water. Water when the top 2 cm of soil are dry. Philodendrons rot fast in soggy substrate. A chunky aroid mix (two parts potting compost, one part orchid bark, one part perlite) provides the air pockets the roots need.
Climbing support. Vining types (heartleaf, Brasil, Micans, Pink Princess) produce larger more mature-looking leaves on a moss pole. Without support, the leaves stay small and the plant trails indefinitely.
Humidity. 50–60 percent is ideal. Below 30 percent, leaf edges crisp and new leaves emerge smaller. Birkin and the velvet-leaved Micans are the most humidity-sensitive in the genus.
Try Growli: Snap a photo with Growli — get instant ID and a care plan in 60 seconds.
Related articles
- Types of monstera — 8 varieties — the closely-related aroid cousin
- Types of houseplants — 30+ varieties — the broader category
- How to identify a houseplant — 4 methods — once you have a plant in front of you
- Pet-safe houseplants — 20 non-toxic plants — the ASPCA-cleared alternatives
- Common houseplant diseases — when something goes wrong
- Low-maintenance houseplants — 20 nearly unkillable picks — for beginners and busy people
Reviewed and updated by the Growli editorial team. For questions about anything here, open Growli and ask — or email hello@getgrowli.app.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common types of philodendron?
The 12 most common types are heartleaf philodendron, Brasil, Micans, Lemon Lime, Pink Princess, White Knight, Birkin, Selloum (tree philodendron), Xanadu, Imperial Green, Imperial Red, Prince of Orange, and Moonlight. Heartleaf and Brasil dominate retail at $8–15 each; Pink Princess and White Knight are the famous variegated cultivars; Selloum and Imperial fill the self-heading floor-plant niche.
What is the difference between philodendron and pothos?
They look similar but the differences are reliable once you know them. Philodendron leaves are softer, thinner, and have a more elongated heart shape with a deeper indentation. Pothos leaves are thicker, more leathery, and slightly waxy. Philodendron produces new leaves from a pink cataphyll (protective sheath) that drops once the leaf opens; pothos new leaves emerge bare from an existing leaf. Aerial roots are visible on philodendron, less so on pothos.
Are philodendrons toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes — every philodendron the ASPCA lists (heartleaf, split leaf, tree / selloum, cutleaf, horsehead, variegated, lacy tree) is toxic to both dogs and cats due to insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Symptoms include intense oral burning, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Treat the entire genus as toxic regardless of cultivar — there are no pet-safe philodendron. Call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 if symptoms appear.
How much does a Pink Princess philodendron cost in 2026?
Big-box prices (Home Depot, Lowe's, Walmart) for Costa Farms Pink Princess in 6-inch pots run roughly $50–80 in 2026. Etsy and specialty grower prices for 4-inch pots with stronger pink variegation are $80–250. Premium half-moon leaves and 'pink moon' specimens reach $1,000+ on Etsy. Prices have softened from the 2021 peak as Costa Farms tissue culture expanded retail supply.
What is the easiest philodendron for beginners?
Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum). It tolerates low to bright indirect light, survives 2–3 week dry spells thanks to thick storage roots, and propagates from any cutting in water. $8–15 at any big-box store. Brasil and Lemon Lime are easy variegated alternatives — both keep their color in moderate light because the yellow tissue contains chlorophyll.
What is the rarest philodendron?
Philodendron Spiritus Sancti, a critically endangered Brazilian species with elongated narrow leaves, is the most expensive philodendron — verified specimens routinely sell for $5,000–10,000 on Etsy and specialty marketplaces. Other rare cultivars (Pink Princess Galaxy, Caramel Marble, Strawberry Shake) commonly reach $500–2,000 for established plants.
Why is my Pink Princess reverting?
Most often, light. Pink variegation requires bright indirect light to express; in lower light the plant prioritizes chlorophyll production and new leaves emerge greener. Move the plant to your brightest spot short of direct sun. Trim leaves that emerge fully green back to a node with at least some pink — this signals the plant to push pink-variegated growth from the next nodes.
Which philodendron is best for low light?
Heartleaf, Brasil, and Imperial Green tolerate the lowest light of the genus. They hold their green color and continue slow growth in medium-to-low indirect light (around 100 foot-candles). Skip variegated cultivars in low light — Pink Princess, White Knight, and Birkin lose their variegation in dim conditions.