Heartleaf Philodendron

Philodendron hederaceum

Plantae›Tracheophyta›Liliopsida›Alismatales›Araceae

📍 Tropical Central America & the Caribbean

A close stand-in for pothos, the heartleaf philodendron is an easy trailing vine that filters aquarium water when grown emersed. Roots go in the tank; the heart-shaped leaves climb or cascade above. It's fast-growing, forgiving of low light, and a strong nitrate exporter. Keep the foliage out of the water — only the roots should be submerged.

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Compatible Livestock

Betta

Interchangeable with pothos for a betta tank — roots polish the water, vine trails out of the lid.

excellent

Neon Tetra

Schooling fish that enjoy the shade and cleaner water from the trailing roots.

good

Red Cherry Shrimp

Forage on biofilm in the root mass and shelter among the roots.

excellent

Common Diseases

Root / crown rot

Symptoms

Mushy, blackened, or foul-smelling roots or lower stem; drooping, yellowing foliage — almost always from submerging the leaves or crown.

Treatment

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

Symptoms

Pale or yellowing foliage, slow or leggy growth.

Treatment

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.

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Quick Facts

co2: Not required
light: Low to bright indirect
placement: Emersed only — suspend the roots in the water with the leaves above the surface (hang-on-back filter, tank rim, or lid). Do not fully submerge; submerged foliage will rot.
substrate: None — roots grow directly in the water column
growth rate: Fast