Chinese Money Plant
Pilea peperomioides
Pet-safe
Philodendron Brasil
Philodendron hederaceum Brasil · Araceae
Easy
Toxic to pets
Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil' is a cultivar of the heartleaf philodendron, distinguished by its striking variegated foliage in which lime-green and golden-yellow streaks run through deep-green, heart-shaped leaves. It is a fast-growing, trailing or climbing aroid native in species form to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. The cultivar is widely grown as a houseplant for its ornamental foliage and tolerant, adaptable nature.
☀ Light
Bright indirect light; tolerates moderate indirect light
💧 Water
Water when top 2-5 cm of soil is dry
🌡 Temp
16-29°C
💦 Humidity
40-60% or higher preferred
🌿 Soil
Well-draining, peat-free potting mix with added perlite
🍽 Feeding
Monthly in spring and summer with balanced liquid fertiliser
Photo: KENPEI / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
How to care for Philodendron Brasil
Light
Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil' grows best in bright, indirect light, which maintains the vibrancy of its variegation. Insufficient light causes the golden-yellow variegation to fade and new leaves to revert towards solid green. Direct summer sun through glass can scorch the foliage, leaving pale or brown patches. An east or west-facing windowsill, or a position set back from a south-facing window, provides ideal conditions.
Watering
Allow the top 2-5 cm of the potting mix to dry out between waterings. During the growing season (spring and summer) this may mean watering once a week; in autumn and winter, reduce frequency significantly as the plant's water demand drops. Always use room-temperature water and ensure the pot drains freely to prevent waterlogging, which is the most common cause of root rot in this species.
Soil and potting
A well-draining, lightweight mix is essential. A good recipe is two parts peat-free multipurpose compost to one part perlite or coarse horticultural grit. This replicates the loose, humus-rich substrate found on tropical forest floors and prevents the compaction that can suffocate roots. Avoid heavy garden soils or moisture-retaining mixes designed for outdoor use.
Feeding
Feed once a month during spring and summer with a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser diluted to half the manufacturer's recommended strength. A balanced NPK formula (such as 20-20-20) is appropriate. Cease feeding entirely from October to February when growth slows. Over-feeding, particularly with nitrogen-heavy formulas, can cause excessive green growth and diminish variegation.
Humidity and temperature
This cultivar prefers temperatures between 16°C and 29°C and should not be exposed to temperatures below 12°C. Cold draughts or proximity to uninsulated windows in winter can cause leaf damage. A relative humidity of 40-60% is suitable, and higher humidity encourages larger, lusher leaves. In centrally heated homes with dry air, placing the pot on a pebble tray with water or grouping it with other plants can help raise ambient humidity.
Repotting
Repot every one to two years in spring when roots begin to emerge from the drainage holes or circle visibly at the surface. Choose a pot only 2-3 cm larger in diameter than the current one, as oversized pots retain excess moisture and increase the risk of root rot. Terracotta pots aid aeration and moisture regulation. After repotting, water thoroughly and keep the plant out of direct sun for a week to reduce stress.
Pruning
Pruning is not strictly necessary but encourages a bushier, more compact habit. Pinch or cut back long, leggy stems just above a leaf node using clean, sharp scissors or secateurs. Remove any yellowing or damaged leaves at their base as they appear. Pruning is best done in spring or early summer. Wear gloves when handling cut stems, as the sap can cause skin irritation and contains calcium oxalate crystals.
Is Philodendron Brasil toxic?
Pets: Toxic. Like all Philodendron species, 'Brasil' contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals throughout its tissues. Ingestion by cats or dogs can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. The ASPCA lists Philodendron species as toxic to both cats and dogs. Keep the plant out of reach of pets.
People: The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis on contact; wear gloves when pruning or propagating. Ingestion is not recommended and will cause mouth and throat irritation. Keep away from young children.
People: The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis on contact; wear gloves when pruning or propagating. Ingestion is not recommended and will cause mouth and throat irritation. Keep away from young children.
Common problems
Yellow leaves
Likely cause: Overwatering or waterlogged soil, causing root stress or rot Fix: Check the roots for rot, remove any affected sections, allow the soil to partially dry out, and adjust your watering routine so the top layer dries before re-watering.
Brown leaf tips or edges
Likely cause: Low humidity, underwatering, or fluoride and salt build-up in the soil Fix: Increase ambient humidity, ensure you water sufficiently when you do water, and flush the soil with plain water every few months to remove accumulated salts.
Loss of variegation or reversion to all-green leaves
Likely cause: Insufficient light, causing the plant to maximise chlorophyll production Fix: Move the plant to a brighter position with more indirect light. Prune back reverted stems to a point where variegated leaves were produced to encourage new variegated growth.
Wilting or drooping leaves despite moist soil
Likely cause: Root rot from overwatering, preventing water uptake Fix: Unpot the plant, inspect roots, trim any black or mushy sections, treat with a dilute hydrogen peroxide solution, and repot into fresh, well-draining compost.
Tiny webbing or speckled, stippled leaves
Likely cause: Spider mite infestation, favoured by warm, dry conditions Fix: Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to remove mites, increase humidity, and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil spray, repeating every 5-7 days for three weeks.
Sticky residue on leaves or visible small insects on stems
Likely cause: Mealybugs or scale insects Fix: Remove individual mealybugs with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol, then treat the whole plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap spray. Repeat weekly until clear.
How to propagate
Stem cuttings in water
Cut a healthy stem section 10-15 cm long with at least one or two nodes and one leaf, remove any leaves that would sit below the waterline, and place in a clean glass of room-temperature water in bright indirect light. Roots typically develop within two to four weeks, after which the cutting can be potted into compost.
Stem cuttings in soil
Prepare a stem cutting as above and insert it directly into a small pot of moist, perlite-rich compost. Cover loosely with a clear plastic bag to maintain humidity, removing it for ventilation daily. Rooting generally takes three to six weeks, confirmed by gentle resistance when the cutting is tugged lightly.
Where Philodendron Brasil comes from
Native to tropical South America, Central America, southern Mexico, Trinidad.
Story and origins
The genus name Philodendron derives from the Greek 'phileo', meaning to love or have an affinity for, and 'dendron', meaning tree. This alludes to the climbing, tree-embracing habit of many species in the genus. The species epithet 'hederaceum' comes from the Latin 'hedera', meaning ivy, and refers to the ivy-like, trailing or vining growth habit of this particular species. The cultivar name 'Brasil' is a direct reference to Brazil, reflecting the yellow and green patterning of the leaves, which mirrors the colours of the Brazilian flag.
Philodendron hederaceum was formally described by the Scottish botanist William Jackson Hooker in the mid-nineteenth century, though heartleaf philodendrons had been collected from Central and South American tropical forests by European botanists from the late eighteenth century onwards. The species has been cultivated as an ornamental houseplant in Europe and North America since at least the early twentieth century, valued for its tolerance of interior conditions. The 'Brasil' cultivar is a more recent horticultural development, rising to widespread popularity during the 2010s alongside the broader surge of interest in tropical foliage houseplants. It has no significant historical medicinal or ritual use documented in Western horticultural literature, though various Philodendron species held cultural significance to indigenous peoples of tropical America.
Varieties to know
Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil'
The cultivar described here; lime-green and golden-yellow central variegation on deep-green heart-shaped leaves.
Philodendron hederaceum 'Lemon Lime'
Lacks the dark-green margins; leaves are uniformly chartreuse to yellow-green throughout.
Philodendron hederaceum 'Silver Stripe'
Features silvery-white variegation along the centre of the leaf rather than the yellow-green of 'Brasil'.
Philodendron hederaceum (standard)
The unvariegated species type with plain, glossy deep-green heart-shaped leaves; equally easy to grow.
Philodendron hederaceum 'Micans'
A velvety-leaved form with bronze-green iridescent foliage; same care requirements as 'Brasil'.
Fun facts
- The 'Brasil' cultivar takes its name from the green and yellow colour combination of the Brazilian national flag.
- Philodendron hederaceum is one of the most studied houseplants in NASA's Clean Air Study research, though the practical air-purification benefit in a domestic room is now considered modest at best.
- The genus name Philodendron comes from the Greek words 'phileo' (to love) and 'dendron' (tree), referring to the plant's natural habit of climbing trees in tropical forests.
- In the wild, Philodendron hederaceum is a hemiepiphyte, beginning life on the forest floor before climbing host trees in search of light, sometimes reaching considerable heights.
- The variegation in 'Brasil' is a chimeral mutation, meaning it arises from two genetically distinct types of cells growing together in the same plant tissue, which is why heavily variegated stems can occasionally revert to all-green growth.
Philodendron Brasil FAQ
Why is my Philodendron Brasil losing its variegation and growing plain green leaves?
This is almost always caused by insufficient light. The plant produces more chlorophyll to compensate, which overwhelms the variegated cells. Move it to a brighter position with good indirect light. You can also prune back the reverted stems to encourage new, variegated growth to emerge from further down the stem.
How often should I water my Philodendron Brasil?
There is no fixed schedule; instead, check the soil regularly. Water when the top 2-5 cm of compost feels dry to the touch. In a warm, bright spot during summer this might be every 5-7 days; in winter in a cooler room it could be every two to three weeks. The key is to avoid the soil remaining wet for extended periods.
Can Philodendron Brasil tolerate low light?
It will survive in lower light conditions better than many variegated plants, but it will not thrive. In low light, growth slows considerably, internodes lengthen and become leggy, and the variegation fades significantly. Artificial grow lights can supplement natural light in darker rooms.
Is Philodendron Brasil safe to keep around cats and dogs?
No. Like all philodendrons, it contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals and is classified as toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. Ingestion causes oral pain, drooling, vomiting, and swelling of the mouth and throat. Place it somewhere your pets cannot access and contact a vet immediately if ingestion is suspected.
How do I make my Philodendron Brasil grow bushier rather than long and trailing?
Pinch or cut back the longest stems just above a leaf node to encourage the plant to put out lateral growth and produce multiple stems. You can do this at any point in the growing season. The cut stems can be used as cuttings for propagation.
Can I grow Philodendron Brasil as a climbing plant rather than a trailing one?
Yes. In its natural habitat the species climbs trees, and it will readily grow upwards if given a moss pole, coir pole, or trellis to attach to. Aerial roots will grip the support over time. Climbing growth often produces larger leaves than purely trailing growth.
What is the difference between Philodendron Brasil and Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)?
They are different species from the same plant family. Pothos leaves have a slightly waxy texture, distinctly asymmetrical bases, and the petiole meets the leaf differently. Philodendron Brasil leaves are thinner, more uniformly heart-shaped, and slightly more velvety. The variegation patterns also differ: Brasil typically has a broad central stripe of lime green, while common golden pothos has irregular splashes of yellow throughout the leaf.
