Caring for Your Philodendron Brasil: 10 Tips for a Healthy Plant

If you’re looking for a rich, green-leafed ornamental plant, look no further than the gorgeous Philodendron Brasil. The leafy plant grows dark green, heart-shaped leaves with variegation of bright green to yellow. Often, the leaves look like a light streak of green “splits” them down the middle. The plant thrives in warm, humid conditions. This mean it thrives in tropical and subtropical climates or as indoor plants in warm, bright rooms with indirect light.

Philodendron Brasil plants make excellent hanging plants, patio container plants, rugged garden bed plants in warm climates, or indoor ornamental plants.

Philodendron Brasil Basics

• Common name variegated heart leaf, philodendron or Philodendron Brasil
• Botanical name Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’
• Family Araceae
• Plant type perennial vine
• USDA Hardiness Zones 11 and 12
• Soil type Loamy and moist, well-drained
• Soil pH Acidic
• Mature plant size 6 to 36 inches tall/12 to 36 inches wide
• Native to South America

Tip #1 — Plant in the Best Soil

Before you get started, do some research to learn about the Philodendron Brasil and what kind of soil it needs. These beautiful plants require loamy soil, which means the soil holds nutrients and has a texture that retains water without getting soggy. To maintain this quality, the soil must have physical qualities to it, like being loosely laid instead of compacted. It may also have amendments like pebbles or rocks to help keep the soil from becoming compacted.

Philodendron Brasil also needs slightly acidic soil with pH levels between 6.5 and 7.0. Ideally, skip the potting soil and use a soil mix designed for aroids instead. Or if you’re mixing it yourself, use 1 part potting soil, 1 part orchis bark, and 1 part perlite for the perfect texture and blend.

Tip #2 — Provide the Right Sunlight Exposure

Because Philodendron Brasil are native to South America, they thrive in bright, indirect lighting conditions. That is, plant them where they’ll soak up the sun through bright shade areas. If you’re growing the plant indoors, place them near a window where they will get residual sunlight without being directly in hot sunbeams during the daytime.

Too much direct light will scorch the leaves of Philodendron Brasil plants, causing them long-term damage or even death. They can also thrive as bathroom plants, as long as they have enough indirect sunlight during the day.

Tip #3 — Learn Philodendron Brasil Watering Needs

Philodendron Brasil can be sensitive to overwatering. This means it’s incredibly important to understand the best practices. The top two to three inches of soil should dry out between waterings. Then, water the plant in the morning until, soaking but not flooding the soil. Ensure the soil drains properly to avoid root rot and other health conditions that damage the plant.

Tip #4 — Fertilize Your Philodendron Brasil Properly

Because you’re not looking for fruit or flowers on your Philodendron Brasil, growing season is the ideal time to fertilize your plants. They grow continuously without fertilizer, as well, but thrive with the food. Use a balanced fertilizer (such as 10—10—10) once monthly during spring and summer. Be sure to thoroughly read the instructions on the fertilizer and use as directed, though. And stop fertilization in fall and winter.

Tip #5 — Give Your Philodendron Brasil the Right Environment

Philodendron Brasil prefers hot, humid climates. They are technically tropical plants, so don’t do well in cooler outdoor settings. If you’re planting these beautiful green plants in the north, be sure to keep them indoors in cool weather and, if possible, move them outdoors as the temperature rises in summer. Never leave them out if the temperatures drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Tip: If you have a shower-bathroom with a decent window, these make for excellent plants in that space. They love the humidity showers help create.

Tip #6 — Prune Your Philodendron Brasil Carefully

Because this plant is a fast-grower when properly cared for, it needs fairly frequent pruning. Let the leaves trail downward in hanging plants or upward on stakes. Prune when the size starts to get too much for the pot, ideally only in spring or early summer or active growing season for the plant.

Be sure to use clean, sharp scissors for pruning to help keep the plant healthy. Save the cuttings from stems if you wish to propagate.

Tip #7 — Repot As Needed for Indoor or Container Plants

Because Philodendron Brasil grows quickly, you’ll need to repot this beauty every 1 to 2 years. In spring or early summer, transfer the plant to a new, larger container. Be sure to provide proper drainage in the soil and use fresh potting mix. Go up one size pot per re-potting season.

Tip #8 — Clean Your Philodendron Brasil Occasionally

If you keep your Philodendron Brasil indoors, you may want to clean the plant a few times each year. Using soft tissues or gentle, dry cloths to softly wipe off dust and dirt from the leaves of your plant. This helps the plant absorb more light and retain healthier patterns of growth.

Tip #9 — Propagate Your Philodendron Brasil With Pruned Stems

You can propagate Philodendron Brasil in several ways. However, since you have to prune your plant regularly anyway, you might as well use the cuttings for free propagation. You can keep the plants or give them away, whatever you like.

1. Using sharp, clean shears or scissors, cut stems about one to two inches below the nodes.
2. Place the cuttings, cut end down, into water in a jar, bottle, or vase. Only submerge the stem, keeping the leaves out of the water.
3. Keep the plant cuttings in a sunny, indirect sunlit area. Change out the water every few days and let the plants take root.
4. Once the roots form, after about a week, transfer the new plants to fresh potting soil in a small pot. Aim for a planter no larger than 6-inches in diameter.
5. Keep the plant well-watered, with properly draining soil. When it appears firmly rooted in the soil, you can transplant again into a larger container, when it’s needed.

Tip # 10 — Get Rid of Pests Gently

Thankfully, the Philodendron Brasil isn’t particularly prone to disease or pests. However, these may still occur. Mealy bugs, spider mites, fungus gnats, or scale may appear. Inspect the plants regularly to ensure those don’t happen. And if they do, use natural sprays like neem oil to get rid of them.