Philodendrons

Philodendrons often have a special place in the hearts of indoor plant enthusiasts for their easy-going, expansive growth; although generally an understory plant, they do grow in a variety of different environments (from swamps to roadsides), which is a testament to their adaptability in the indoor setting. And for this, its name is quite ironic. Named “tree lover” (philo as in “love,” and dendron for “tree”) for its habit of climbing the trunks of tropical understories around South and Central America, it’s a staple of plant lovers (and tree lovers), especially for those who want to live in an indoor jungle but have a hard time making their rounds with sprays and gallon jugs of water; in a word the key to keeping these plants lies in consistency. Despite being a toxic plant to people and their pets, they do give a little back as well—there are records of certain varieties being used for medicinal purposes (not recommended without a professional). In a way, this is the perfect plant for plant lovers or those with the messy abundance of those who love the freedom and fast growth of nature.