Philodendron Micans

Philodendron hederaceum 'Micans'

Also known as Philodendron hederaceum 'Micans', Velvet Leaf Philodendron

Plantae›Tracheophyta›Liliopsida›Alismatales›Araceae

The velvet-leaved form of the heartleaf philodendron, with soft bronze-to-green foliage. Grown emersed with its roots in the tank water, it works as a living biofilter — pulling up nitrate while the foliage stays in the air.

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.

Where it's from

Native to Belize, Bolivia, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast and 25 more

Recorded as introduced in Bangladesh and Seychelles

The range of its wild species, Philodendron hederaceum.

At a glance

Light: Bright indirect
Growth: Fast
Placement: Emersed — roots in water, leaves in air
Temp: 64–82°F; 18–28°C
pH: 6.0–7.5
GH: 36–357 ppm; 2–20 dGH

Compatible livestock

See all 3

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

Member photos

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Common diseases 2Root / crown rot, Yellowing leaves

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.

Varieties

Heartleaf Philodendronspecies· 4 tanks Philodendron Brazil· 2 tanks

Legality

No state or federal restrictions on record.

Not legal advice, and possibly incomplete or out of date. Rules vary by state and change over time; check with your state wildlife or agriculture agency before buying, keeping or shipping it.

The care information here is written with AI help, so it can contain mistakes. Spot one? Tell us and we'll fix it. Native range: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP) (CC BY 4.0).