Philodendron Micans
Philodendron hederaceum · Velvet-Leaf Philodendron
The velvet-leaved form of the heartleaf philodendron, a trailing rainforest vine. Its soft, matte heart-shaped leaves carry an iridescent bronze sheen, and new growth emerges pink before it darkens with age.
Family
Araceae
Origin
Tropical America
In the wild
Vines to 6 m
Indoors
Trails a few feet
Growth
Fast
With pets
Toxic
Where it's from
Mexico, the Caribbean and tropical America
Wide native range
From Mexico through the Caribbean and Central and South America.
Vines to 6 m
A scrambling hemi-epiphyte that climbs tree trunks far beyond any houseplant length.
Outdoors: zones 11–12
Frost-free tropics only. A houseplant everywhere colder.
It is not really a species
Sold for decades as Philodendron micans, it was long ago sunk into Philodendron hederaceum, the heartleaf philodendron. So a plant once sold under a rare-sounding name is, taxonomically, the same easy vine in countless dorm rooms, just wearing velvet. That velvet nap is delicate: wiping the leaves clean permanently dulls their shimmer.
Velvet, not gloss
A soft, matte, pubescent leaf with a bronze sheen, unlike the plain glossy heartleaf.
Pink new growth
Leaves emerge pink and bronze, then darken to deep green as they age.
Do not wipe it
Wiping with a wet cloth flattens the fine hairs that give the velvet its sheen.
How to keep it
LightBright, indirect
Keeps the velvet colour and bronze tones. Too little light and it gets leggy; direct sun scorches the leaves.
WaterWhen top inch dry
Let the top of the soil dry, then water thoroughly. Reduce in winter; never let it sit in water.
HumidityPrefers higherHigher humidity keeps the velvet at its best, though it tolerates average rooms.
Temperature18–29°CWarm rooms with a winter minimum around 15°C.
SoilWell-draining aroid mixAn organic-rich, well-draining mix of bark, perlite and coir or peat.
FeedingEvery 4–8 weeksA balanced liquid feed spring to autumn. Pause in winter.
DifficultyEasyBeginner-friendly and fast-growing.
With petsToxicInsoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Oral pain, swelling, drooling and vomiting if chewed.
PropagationCutting at a nodeA stem cutting with at least one node roots readily in water or moist soil. About the easiest aroid to multiply.
RepottingEvery 2–3 yearsWhen it becomes rootbound. Train it on a pole for larger leaves.
What the data says
What it costs
Once a pricey rarity, now widely cultivated and cheap. Sold everywhere from big-box stores to plant shops.
$5–25
Plain velvet starters are a commodity, around twelve dollars on average. Only variegated or lime sports carry any premium.
IUCN · Not assessed
In the wild
The inverse of the rare collector aroids: so easy to grow that it escapes rather than vanishes.
The species has not been assessed on the IUCN Red List; it is widespread and abundant with no recorded concern. In fact P. hederaceum is a Category II invasive in Florida and naturalised in Hawaii, where it can smother native plants. A docile houseplant, an escapee in warm climates.
When it sulks
Leggy, small leavesToo little light. Move it brighter and pinch the tips to encourage bushing.
Faded bronze sheenToo little light.
Yellow leavesUsually overwatering.
Brown crispy edgesLow humidity or underwatering.
Dull, flattened velvetFrom wiping the leaves wet. Do not.
Varieties & company
The varieties
Velvet formVariegated MicansLime / Golden
Pairs with · keep apart from
PothosMonsteraCalatheaSucculentsCacti
A new plant, every week.
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