The evergreen kingdom of philodendrons is home to strong climbing plants, richly branched shrubs and decorative trees. It's not that easy to find the ideal tree friend for home and work. This selection of beautiful Philodendron species would like to make your choice easier.
What types of Philodendron are there?
Philodendron species can be divided into climbing, upright and hanging varieties. Popular representatives are Philodendron bipennifolium, elegans, imbe and laciniatum (climbing), Philodendron Xanadu, bipinnatifidum, selloum and 'Atom' (upright) as well as Philodendron scandens (hanging) for hanging baskets.
Climbing Philodendron species
If you're interested in a fast-growing houseplant that can quickly green up low-light niches, you're well advised to choose one of the following climbing tree friend species:
- Philodendron bipennifolium reaches a height of up to 250 cm on the trellis
- Philodendron elegans impresses with 45 cm long and 30 cm wide pinnate leaves that are reminiscent of a window leaf
- Philodendron imbe is one of the fast-growing species and climbs to the ceiling in no time
- Philodendron laciniatum, on the other hand, takes its time growing and remains at a height of 150 cm
The decorative species Philodendron erubescens shows its most beautiful side with and without climbing aid. The 40 cm long and 20 cm wide decorative leaves are copper-colored on the underside and shiny green on the top. The trunk and leaf stalks are highlighted in a purple shade. If a climbing aid is available, the tree friend reaches a height of a whopping 200 cm.
Tree friend for the hanging basket
You don't always have to have flowering hanging plants in the hanging basket to make living rooms and offices comfortable. The Philodendron scandens provides convincing evidence that an evergreen plant is also perfect for hanging baskets. The long tendrils are covered with dark green, arrow-like leaves. To ensure dense growth, cut off the tips of the shoots every now and then.
Upright Philodendron species
With their tightly upright growth and abundant branching, the following Philodendron species create an evergreen feel-good atmosphere in all partially shaded to shady locations:
- Philodendron Xanadu impresses with notched leaves and compact growth
- Philodendron bipinnatifidum impresses with decorative leaves up to 40 cm long and 30 cm wide
- Philodendron selloum develops dense rosettes of deeply cut, 90 cm long leaves on the short trunk
- Philodendron 'Atom' enchants with deep green, wavy leaves that reach a length of up to 50 cm
To beautify small rooms with the unique flair of an evergreen Philodendron, the dwarf variety Philodendron selloum 'Robert Chumbley Miniature' is just the thing. The non-climbing tree friend doesn't grow taller than 80 to 100 cm and is just as easy to care for as its big brothers.
Tip
Monsteras are often mistakenly sold in stores as Philodendrons. Although the window leaf is also a member of the arum family, it rightly represents a different genus within the plant family. To be sure when purchasing a tree friend, ask specifically for the botanical name of your favorite Philodendron species.
