Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’
The standard heartleaf philodendron is charming, but add some variegated lime and lemon coloring to the green foliage, and you’ve got an extra special houseplant.
Since ‘Brasil’ hit the market a few decades ago, it has become a must-have philodendron, and it’s not hard to see why. This cultivar is hardy, easygoing and unquestionably beautiful.
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If you’re ready to learn where P. hederaceum ‘Brasil’ came from and how to cultivate your own, this guide can help.
Here’s what’s in the coming attractions:
Let’s start by talking about where this beloved cultivar came from:
Cultivation, History and Tradition
Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’ is a heartleaf philodendron cultivar that stands out from the species plant with its lemon, lime, and dark green variegated foliage.
P. hederaceum Used to be classified P. scandensYou may see it being sold by that name.
When young, the stems and petioles are a stunning reddish pink. They age to a reddish orange before maturing into a green color with light green or yellow variegation.
It is a plant with a cascading and trailing growth habit.
Variegation can be unstable. This means that no two leafs will ever look the same. Sometimes, leaves may appear entirely green, yellow, or light green.
The plant grows in South America as a secondary hemiepiphyte.
It begins its life in soil, then attaches itself to a plant or tree to gain access to light, water and nutrients. It’s not a parasite; it just uses the other plant as a host structure without hurting it.
It’s all in the name. Philo Love in Greek dendron means tree. This philodendron has a love for trees.
‘Brasil’ was patented in 2000 by Kerry’s Bromeliad Nursery in Florida after a mutation was discovered by Ruben Ernesto Acosta in a greenhouse in Holambra, Brazil, in 1991.
The nursery further bred it and stabilized it before releasing the product to the market.
The plant has quickly gained popularity amongst houseplant enthusiasts. Good news! The patent expired in 2020, so feel free to propagate ‘Brasil’ at home without fear of violating the patent.
Poor ‘Brasil’ suffers from a case of mistaken identity. It’s often confused with variegated pothos (Epipremnum aureum) cultivars.
You can tell the difference between philodendron ‘Brasil’ and variegated pothos by looking at new leaves. The waxy sheaths of the philodendron are where the leaves appear.
A pothos’ foliage appears inside another leaf. Even if your plant doesn’t have any young leaves, look for the presence of a sheath at the base of the petioles.
The leaves also have longer apices – the pointy tip – than pothos and the species.
When mature, ‘Brasil’ can trail a dozen feet or more, though the vines typically grow about two feet long in an indoor environment.
It’s closely related to Philodendron micans (syn. P. hederaceum Var. hederaceumThe foliage is not as velvety and has a bronze hue.
If you’d like to Our comprehensive guide will teach you how to grow and care for philodendrons..
Philodendron ‘Brasil’ Propagation
Propagating ‘Brasil’ is pretty straightforward. It’s especially easy to do via cuttings. When the plant grows, division becomes a viable option. Let’s start with that:
The Division
A large, bushy philodendron can be divided. It is best to do this in spring or summer but you can do it at any time.
Remove the plant and remove as much soil as possible. You need to be able clearly to see the plant’s roots.
If you need to, use a clean pair of pruners or clippers and trim any stubborn roots. Take a pair of clean pruners or clippers to trim any stubborn roots.
Replace the original section of the plant in its container, and add fresh soil to the area around the roots.
The new section should be potted in a fresh container of potting soil.
Cuts
Cuttings of Philodendrons are easily propagated. You can either grow them in water or a potted medium.
Find a stem that is healthy and trim it off at about 4 inches from the tip.
At least two leaf-nodes are required. A bonus point is awarded for including an aerial root node. Nodes are little brown bumps that appear on the stem.
Just cut underneath the leaf or root node.
If you use water, replace it every few days to prevent pathogens. Replace the water every few days if you are using it to prevent pathogens.
You should keep the potting medium moist without being wet. It should have the texture of a sponge that has been well wrung out.
Allow the roots to grow by placing them in an area with indirect, bright light. It usually takes about a week.
If you don’t see new growth above the soil after a few weeks, gently dig under the cutting with your fingers and lift the cutting out to see if it has rooted.
You can transplant your new plant if you see many roots. If it’s not there, you can replace it. As long as the cutting doesn’t wilt or die, you can safely keep waiting.
Winter is slower than spring or Summer, but the process will still work.
Potted Transplants
Most of us end up buying potted philodendron ‘Brasil’ plants at a nursery or planting a cutting that we or someone we know has grown.
To move a potted plant into a new container you will need to remove the pot gently and loosen its roots. Cut off any broken or dead roots.
Set the ‘Brasil’ plant in a new container one size larger than the existing container.
Then, fill the soil around the plant.
The plant should be at the same height as it was when in the original container.
How to Grow Philodendron ‘Brasil’
First, let’s talk about the foundation of any houseplant: the soil. Your ‘Brasil’ will be pretty forgiving, but it’s always best to give it the optimal conditions, if you can.
Philodendrons thrive in soil that’s slightly acidic or neutral, but also airy and drains well. This combination is found in many commercial potting mixtures.
Fox Farm Ocean Forest is my personal favorite.
It’s what I grow most of my houseplants in because it has a mix of earthworm castings, bat guano, fish meal, humus, and peat moss that my plants seem to love.
FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Mix
There are 12 quart bags available. Amazon if you’d like to try it.
Then there’s the soil moisture. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
The soil’s surface can be allowed to dry out, and your plant will be fine, but don’t allow the entire substrate to become dry.
Don’t worry, a philodendron will signal to you that it needs more moisture by drooping. You should water the plant just before this occurs.
Part of what makes ‘Brasil’ so special is the yellow, lime, and green variegation on the foliage. In order to maintain and create that color, the correct exposure of light is essential.
The leaves of the plant will become solid green, or have little variation if the location is too dark.
The best light is bright indirect sunlight all day long or direct morning light followed by bright indirect lighting the rest. The light in the afternoon is too harsh, and it will burn your foliage.
I know it’s confusing when gardeners talk about about bright, indirect light. What is that? It’s the kind of light you find within a foot or two of a south-facing window that is covered in a sheer curtain.
The leaves may also appear bright green, with little to no variation. This lack of variegation can also happen because the solid coloration is built into the plant’s genetics. When this happens, it’s called reversion.
If you don’t like the appearance, trim off the solid leaves and reduce the light exposure a little and wait a few months for new, variegated leaves to form.
Don’t expose this plant to temperatures below 59°F. They aren’t even the least bit cold tolerant (same, ‘Brasil,’ same).
If you live in an area with cold winters and you have a single-paned window or door, you could harm your plant.
Feel free to keep your philodendron outdoors when it’s warm enough, but only those in Zones 11 and 12 can leave them outside year-round.
As secondary hemiepiphytes philodendrons like to climb, but they can trail out of containers if that is what you prefer.
You can have them climb up a planter by winding the rope, or guide them. moss pole.
The size of the container is also important. Most aroids like their roots to be a little snug and ‘Brasil’ is no different.
If the roots don’t take up at least half the container, it’s too big, and you increase the risk of overwatering.
You container should have drainage holes. As much as I like pretty decorative pots, they should only be used for the outer cachepot.
Keep the plant in a grower’s pot with drainage holes and place that inside the decorative pot.
After 30 minutes, empty the cachepot/saucer.
Growing Tips
- Provide bright, indirect light. A lot of light can reduce the color variation.
- Keep the soil moist without soaking it.
- Protect the plant from temperatures below 59°F.
Pruning, Maintenance and Care
You can leave your philodendron as it is if you don’t mind the way it looks. ‘Brasil’ doesn’t need regular haircuts to stay healthy.
If you notice any diseased or deformed stems or leaves, remove them. Trim back just to the leaf node to encourage bushiness.
‘Brasil’ plants that are growing in low light tend to be leggy. A little judicious trimming can correct some of this leggy growth.
More information is available at: Please read our guide for pruning philodendrons.
As your philodendron grows, you should also repot it every few months. Once the roots are coming out of the drainage holes or are circling the perimeter of the pot, it’s time to upgrade the container.
If you aren’t sure, go ahead and stick your finger into the soil as deep as you can. If you can’t get in there very deep because you hit resistance from the roots, that’s a sure sign it’s time.
Remove the plant from its existing pot, and remove all soil from the roots.
Replace the plant into a larger container (or even a bigger one if it is severely rootbound). Fill the space around the roots in with fresh, clean soil.
Where to Buy Philodendron ‘Brasil’
While it isn’t the The following are some of the most popular ways to get in touch with each other popular philodendron out there, it’s not far off. ‘Brasil’ is pretty common, and you can find it at most houseplant retailers.
Three local houseplant vendors near my home all had one.
Philodendron ‘Brasil’
If you don’t want to shop around, you can easily find it online, too. American Plant Exchange sells a live, six-inch plant. Amazon.
You can also find out more about Or Home Depot sells it In a smaller pot of four inches.
Pests and Disease: How to Manage Them
This is a pretty robust cultivar, and you probably won’t run into many issues unless your ‘Brasil’ is stressed.
If you feed, water, and keep it in the correct light, then any problems should be minimal. Pests are the most common issue, so let’s talk about those first.
There are a few common houseplant pests that you’ll see over and over on many species. This includes Aphids, Mealybugs. You can also scale up or down..
All of these will attack ‘Brasil,’ especially one that is stressed.
It is a disease
When it comes to diseases, bacterial leaf spot isn’t common, but it does show up from time to time.
It’s caused by the bacteria Xanthomonas campestris pv. dieffenbachiae The result is water-soaked spots, with a brown or yellow halo. As the spots grow older, their centers become tan.
There isn’t a cure, so snip off any symptomatic leaves and don’t share tools, soil, or containers between plants without cleaning them thoroughly first.
Best Uses for Philodendron ‘Brasil’
As a hanging plant, ‘Brasil’ is hard to beat. It’s beautiful when trained up walls or poles, or allowed to trail down shelves and bookcases.
Quick Reference Growing Guide
Plant Type: | Herbaceous Aroid, Secondary Hemiepiphyte | Foliage color: | Green, lime, Lemon, Variegated |
Native to: | Cultivated varieties | Tolerance: | Low soil fertility due to low light |
Hardiness (USDA Zone: | 11-12 | Soil Type | Humus-rich, airy |
Exposure: | Indirect light that is bright | Soil pH | 6.0-7.5 |
When will you reach maturity? | 8 Years | Soil drainage: | Well-draining |
Length: | 15 foot | Uses: | Ornamental plants, specimens, wall coverings, borders |
Spread: | 5 Feet | Order: | Alismatales |
Water Needs | Moderate | Family: | Araceae |
Maintenance: | Low to moderate | Genus: | Philodendron |
Growth Rate | Fasten your seatbelts | Species: | Hederaceum |
Common pests and diseases: | Spider mites, aphids, mealybugs or scales; root rot, bacterial leaf spots | Cultivar: | ‘Brasil’ |
Bring Beautiful ‘Brasil’ to Your Home
I’ve found that the houseplants with the best visual appeal are often the ones who require the most care.
I think Alocasia species are beautiful, but they aren’t easy to raise. Philodendron ‘Brasil’ bucks the trend. This tropical beauty has the same ease of care as a Cactus.
Is this the first time you’ve seen a philodendron? Or maybe just your first ‘Brasil?’ Let us know about your experiences with this fantastic plant in the comments section below.
If you still have any questions, please contact us. Want to know more about the philodendrons?Next, we recommend the following guides: