Philodendron Brasil (Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’) is an ever-popular houseplant that is grown for its unique and beautiful foliage. This versatile plant is easy to grow, making it the perfect choice for beginners and experts alike.
Read on to learn more about growing and caring for this colorful philodendron cultivar.
What is a Philodendron ‘Brasil’?
This plant was once rare but is now a popular cultivar of the heart leaf philodendron (P. hederaceum). This species is a hemiepiphytic aroid from the Araceae family. It is native to North and South America, from Mexico south to Brazil.
Although they are very manageable indoors, these fast-growing evergreen vining plants can reach several feet in length outdoors, with individual leaves growing up to a foot (30cm) in length.
What sets the ‘Brasil’ cultivar apart from its parent plant is its foliage variegation. The variegated leaves are uniquely marked with shades of yellow, chartreuse, lime green, and deep green.
Does Philodendron ‘Brasil’ Bloom?
Philodendrons are flowering plants, but they are grown for their foliage, rather than their blossoms. This plant produces a greenish-white flower in the typical spathe and spadix form that is typical of its family. It takes several years for these plants to reach a flowering age, however, and the conditions indoors are not ideal to encourage flowering.
Is Philodendron ‘Brasil’ Toxic?
Unfortunately, there is one downside to this plant. The presence of calcium oxalate crystals in its sap and tissues makes eating this plant a very dangerous idea. It may even cause a skin reaction in some individuals. This means you should keep this plant away from pets, children, and uninformed persons.
How to Care for Heartleaf Philodendron Brasil
These wonderful houseplants are relatively undemanding and easy to care for. They are a great plant for hanging baskets, but they are versatile, doing just as well if allowed to spread out on a tabletop or if provided with a moss pole to climb. Repot these plants in the spring and summer when they have outgrown their container and become root-bound.
With the right environmental conditions and care, these fast-growing plants thrive indoors. Read on to learn more specific information on their care.
How much sunlight does Philodendron ‘Brasil’ need?
‘Brasil’ is very adaptable to different light intensities, but it does best when grown in bright indirect light. The brighter the light, the more intense the leaf variegations are likely to become, but do not grow the plant in direct sunlight which can burn the foliage.
It will grow well in lower light conditions, but this will result in a less compact plant with less variegation and all-green leaf color.
How Often Should I Water Philodendron ‘Brasil’?
Water the Brasil philodendron plant when its soil has dried down to a depth of about 2 inches (5cm). This should not take long in well-drained soil, but your watering schedule will depend on many factors like plant growth rate, natural light strength, and temperature.
Do not overwater this plant as root rot can result in its death. Growing the plant in a container with drainage holes will allow excess water to drain freely.
What is the Optimum Temperature and Humidity for Philodendron ‘Brasil’?
These indoor plants do very well in average house temperatures and humidity. Optimum growth will probably occur in warm, humid conditions similar to what it experiences in nature.
Keep this plant away from hot dry wind and cold droughts and it will perform absolutely fine in most home environments
What is the Best Growing/Potting Media for Philodendron ‘Brasil’?
Philodendrons enjoy a rich, airy, and well-drained medium. A regular potting soil can be turned into an ideal growing medium by mixing in some coarse material like orchid bark to create more air spaces between the particles. Mixing in a little pumice or perlite will improve the water drainage.
Does Philodendron ‘Brasil’ Need Fertilizer?
These plants do not have to be fertilized if grown in a rich soil. An application of a balanced fertilizer can improve growth, however.
Fertilize sparingly on a monthly basis when the plant is actively producing new growth. This could be throughout the year but usually with a peak in spring and summer.
Does Philodendron ‘Brasil’ Need Pruning?
These trailing plants can grow rather long and you may wish to neaten them up or prune for size. This is easily done by cutting just above a node with a sharp, sterile cutting tool. Consider keeping the cut material as propagules for new plants.
Common Pests and Diseases of Philodendron ‘Brasil’
The most common causes for poor health are imbalances in water and sunlight. Brown tips and curled or hanging leaves can indicate a lack of water while yellow leaves can be a sign of root rot due to soggy soil.
Weak, leggy growth will result from a lack of light, while scorching will occur if these plants are grown in harsh, direct light.
Philodendrons are generally pest resistant but can be affected by many of the common household pests like mealybugs and spider mites. This is more likely if the plants are under stress or grown near other affected plants. Monitor the plant regularly to catch any problems early.
How to Propagate Philodendron Brasil
These fast-growing evergreens are easily propagated from stem cuttings. Each cutting should include a leaf with a node and some aerial roots. These cuttings can root in either soil or water.
Check our complete guide on how to grow Philodendron for more specific propagation tips and our list of Philodendron varieties with names you can have.
*image by khairil77/depositphotos
