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Heartleaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum
Also known as Philodendron hederaceum, Sweetheart Plant, Philodendron scandens
Plantae›Tracheophyta›Liliopsida›Alismatales›Araceae
📍 Tropical Central America & the Caribbean
Grown emersed as a trailing vine with roots in the tank water, pulling up nitrates as a living biofilter. Likes bright indirect light, grows fast, and roots easily in aquarium water.
Grown with its roots in the tank water and its leaves in the air — a living nitrate filter, not a submerged aquarium plant. Give it bright indirect light; no aquarium CO₂ or substrate needed.
Leaves and sap contain calcium oxalate — toxic if eaten, irritating the mouth and gut; keep foliage away from plant-grazing fish, though the submerged roots are safe.
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Tanks keeping this 🌿
Growing in 4 tanksCommunity tanks featuring Heartleaf Philodendron.
Tank Mates
Common Diseases
Root / crown rot
Mushy, blackened, or foul-smelling roots or lower stem; drooping, yellowing foliage — almost always from submerging the leaves or crown.
Keep only the roots underwater and the foliage in the air. Trim away rotted tissue with clean scissors, improve surface circulation/oxygen, and let the plant re-establish.
Yellowing leaves
Pale or yellowing foliage, slow or leggy growth.
Give brighter indirect light and dose a little liquid plant fertilizer. In a lightly stocked tank the water may lack nutrients for vigorous emersed growth.
Tips from the community 💡
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Quick Facts
- light
- Bright indirect
- biofilter
- true
- placement
- Emersed — roots in water, leaves in air
- growth rate
- fast
Water it likes
- ph
- 6.0–7.5
- nitrate
- Thrives on high nitrate — a strong natural exporter
- hardness
- Soft to hard (2–20 dGH)
- temperature
- 64–82°F (18–28°C)
Legality
No state or federal restrictions on record for this species.
Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and locality and change over time — always confirm the current regulations with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping, or shipping this species.