The Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’ is a popular houseplant, known for its heart-shaped leaves splashed with vibrant lime green and deep forest green variegation. While often displayed as a trailing vine, its biology is fundamentally designed for vertical ascent. A frequent question concerns its natural growth habit: is it programmed to climb, or destined to cascade?
The Vining Nature of Philodendron Brasil
The Philodendron Brasil is naturally a secondary hemiepiphyte, meaning it begins life rooted in the soil before seeking a vertical support, such as a tree, to climb towards the light. The plant produces two distinct types of roots. Subterranean roots anchor it and absorb nutrients, while aerial roots emerge from the stem nodes. These aerial roots are the primary tools for climbing, designed to anchor the vine to a rough surface. In its native habitat, the plant uses these roots to cling to tree bark, allowing it to scale the trunk and reach brighter conditions. The botanical name, Philodendron, translates from Greek to “tree lover.”
Providing Support for Climbing
To allow the Philodendron Brasil to express its natural climbing habit indoors, it needs a vertical structure with a rough surface for its aerial roots to grip. Moss poles and coco coir poles are excellent choices because their fibrous textures mimic tree bark. A pole provides physical support and a medium for the aerial roots to grow into.
Securing the main vine to the support with soft twine or plant clips is initially necessary to guide the plant. As the vine grows, the aerial roots penetrate the damp material of the pole. The moisture retained encourages attachment and allows them to function as secondary nutrient and water absorbers. This vertical growth is key to achieving a more mature form. Leaves on a supported vine often grow significantly larger than those on a trailing vine, a phenomenon known as ontogeny.
Cultivating the Trailing Look
While the Philodendron Brasil is a natural climber, it is frequently grown as a cascading plant in hanging baskets or on high shelves. The flexible, vining stems readily trail over the edge of a pot. This trailing habit does not harm the plant, but it signals to the vine that it is not successfully ascending.
As a result, the leaves on trailing vines remain in their juvenile, smaller state, and growth may be less vigorous compared to a climbing specimen. If the vines become excessively long, they can appear leggy, with sparse leaves along the stem. Pruning the longest vines helps maintain a more compact, bushy appearance by encouraging new growth closer to the pot. Removing sparse stems in the spring or summer allows the cuttings to be easily propagated to create new, fuller plants.