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Philodendron Brazil

Philodendron hederaceum 'Brazil'

Also known as Philodendron hederaceum 'Brazil', Philodendron Brasil, Brazil Philodendron

PlantaeTracheophytaLiliopsidaAlismatalesAraceae

Variety of Heartleaf Philodendron · Brazil

📍 Tropical Central America & the Caribbean

The variegated 'Brazil' cultivar of the heartleaf philodendron — heart-shaped leaves splashed with lime-green and cream down the middle. Grown emersed exactly like the plain species: roots in the tank water pulling up nitrate as a living biofilter, vine trailing out into the air. Because the pale sectors carry no chlorophyll it grows a touch slower than the all-green form and wants bright indirect light to keep its variegation.

Terrestrial / emersed plant

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.

Toxic if eaten

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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Growing in 1 tank

Community tanks featuring Philodendron Brazil.

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

light
Bright indirect
biofilter
true
placement
Emersed — roots in water, leaves in air
growth rate
moderate

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Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date.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.

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Growing in1 tanks