When I first saw the large, shiny green leaves of the philodendron, I knew I had to have one.
So I went to the nursery to choose the type that would highlight the beauty of my house. But I had a big problem: I couldn’t plant the philodendron outside, but inside it wasn’t the brightest.
Like you, I was wondering if my philodendron could withstand the partial shade of my house. He can?
A philodendron grows best in partial shade! Philodendron, which comes in climbing and non-climbing species, can tolerate shade but prefers partial shade.
It grows among the foliage of its native region where it has access to indirect sunlight. But the answer to the light requirement is a little more complicated, as it depends on the type of philodendron you bring home.
This guide will show you which philodendrons can grow in the shade and how to meet your plant’s most essential needs. Let’s go inside:
Can philodendrons grow in the shade?
If you research the philodendron, you quickly realize that it is a genus. This means that it gives way to hundreds of species, which bear the name philodendron.
did you know And as you get to know each of these species, you begin to notice that their light requirements are different.
What do I mean by that? In general, the term philodendron refers to perennial species under the aroids family.
These plants grow to a height of 1 to 20 feet in the wild and can grow up to 6 feet wide under the right conditions.
And for the most part, these plants do well in partial shade – they have become accustomed to filtered light in woods and other natural habitats.
Oh, and they do it particularly well. areas 9 to 11 in the United States (which you can adjust to see what works best in your area).
Until then, it looks like any philodendron would live well in the shade. But this is where it gets a little tricky.
Each philodendron comes with its favorite set of lighting conditions. As? The general philodendron can tolerate some shade and likes partial/filtered light.
Any position near a window would suit such a plant, as long as the plant receives bright indirect light.
In full sun, the leaves show signs of yellowing, which takes away their bright green hue.
And in shady conditions, the philodendron begins to show leggy growth with a less bushy appeal. But as we said, the lighting depends on the species.
Take the example of the philodendron bush. Growing best in US zones 9 through 11, this plant prefers some sun.
You can shade it for a while when the temperatures get intense, but most of the time it prefers light. However, it can tolerate shade to a large extent. As such, it is often a good choice for landscaping.
Now let’s look at the climbing plant Philodendron Erubescens. This plant shows redness on its new foliage and even shows color on its mature leaves.
And if you get a hybrid, you can enjoy a variety of shades that are sure to bring out your beauty.
But without access to bright light, this plant won’t thrive and you won’t be able to enjoy its colors. As a result, this plant does not tolerate prolonged exposure to shade.
To see? Each philodendron is subject to its own rules. So to answer the question, a general purpose philodendron with no special needs can do well in shade.
But in most cases the plant needs access to bright, indirect light, while some species Actually they prefer light exposure outdoors. Let’s take a look at some shade-loving species.
If you like this article, check out our article on How to propagate philodendrons in water.
What types of philodendron like to grow in the shade?
When I realized that philodendron was a name for hundreds of species, I knew I had to figure out which species would thrive in my shady home.
But before I get into which strains do well in shade, let me first break down shade types:
- Dense Shade: This is shade under man-made structures,
- Full Shade – This is dense shade with sun exposure
- Light shade: Also called marbled shade, this shade occurs under tall,
- Partial Shade – This is shade with 3-6 hours of sun exposure per day. It is also known as partial sun.
What color are we talking about in this case? – Light shade. This type of shade does not get enough sun, but does get enough light to support plant growth. However, in this shade, the plants are not exposed to full sun.
What plants can thrive in this shade?
1) The heart leaf philodendron
This plant, also known as Philodendron Scandens, is one of the most common philodendrons.
After all, most gardeners say it’s harder to kill than to save. And you know what that means: maintenance is a breeze.
In addition to easy maintenance, this plant also has aesthetic value due to its heart-shaped leaves. Who wouldn’t want that in their home?
The species Philodendron hederaceum and Philodendron cordatum are also very similar.
It is worth noting that many species of philodendrons have heart-shaped leaves. So in this case we focus on the scanden which is more pronounced in shape.
It does best in indirect sun. You can also place it in a very sunny place, so that the plant does not receive direct sunlight.
2) The Philodendron in the moonlight
One thing I like about hybrids is that they adapt quite well to indoor conditions. And since the Moonlight strain is a hybrid, the growing conditions are quite achievable.
It has light green (almost lime) leaves with smooth surfaces that brighten up a room. So if you are looking for something impressive, this plant is a great choice.
I must add that the leaves will not always be light green. As the plant ages, it takes on a darker shade of green that still gives your room a lively look.
It does best in shade, making it a great choice for any home where access to light can be an issue. You can place it near a window to protect it from direct sunlight.
3) The Glorious Philodendron
How about beautiful foliage around the house? This plant has large, velvety-feel leaves combined with a beautiful green hue.
Oh, and the veins have a whitish tone that contrasts with the green of its leaves. The result? – A plant that will also serve as a work of art in your home. But can it stand the shade?
It’s certain! This plant grows best in a location with bright but indirect light. And now you will have understood that one of the best places is near the window.
Make sure the sun doesn’t hit the plant and your job is done. If it comes in contact with the sun, the leaves will burn and curl, ending their attractiveness.
So you cannot take this requirement lightly. But if you give them what they want, they will thrive. And since they are vines, they will spread throughout the house and you can direct them however you see fit.
4) The Birkin Philodendron
Striped fabrics look great: in costumes, wallpapers, art decorations, etc. But have you ever seen them adorn a plant? It’s like that! This species has large green leaves with white lines on the surface.
This aesthetic is enough to transform any space from boring to exciting. And to top it off, the patterns on the sheets are not always the same, as is the case with marble. So you can get a different aesthetic from each leaf, creating a beautiful image.
Does the plant like the shade? Yeah! But he doesn’t like the dark shade. Instead, it prefers partial shade: access to bright, indirect light. And it doesn’t like exposure to full sun either.
You may also be interested in: Can You Put a Philodendron Outside?
More philodendrons that grow well in the shade
Are you curious about other philodendron species that can survive in such conditions? The list continues:
While all of these philodendron species can thrive in shade, you should always give them access to bright, indirect light.
Otherwise, your leaf color will begin to fade and your aesthetic appeal will diminish. So even if they don’t die in the shade, they can look weak and washed out.
If you want to plant a philodendron at home, you need to assess the amount of light it receives. Also, you should look at the type of shade you can give the plant.
Some philodendrons do best in partial shade, while others tolerate more shade. Be sure to check the exact needs of your species, as there are hundreds of philodendrons on the market with different needs.
Happy gardening!
Before you go, here are some other related articles that I encourage you to read below to solve more of your gardening problems:
What is the rarest philodendron?
How to Care for a Philodendron in Winter
What are the benefits of owning a philodendron?