Philodendron gloriosum guide
Philodendron gloriosum, also called gloriosum, velvet heart philodendron
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- When the top 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) of soil is dry
- Humidity
- 50% or higher keeps new leaves from tearing
- Temperature
- 16 to 27°C (60 to 80°F). Keep above 13°C (55°F).
- Soil
- Chunky houseplant mix with bark and perlite
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid fertilizer, monthly in spring and summer
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing causes mouth pain and drooling.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mature size
- 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 ft) tall, spreading sideways
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings with a node, rooted in water or soil
- Where to buy
- Plant shops
This page covers what makes philodendron gloriosum different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the philodendron care guide.
What it is
Philodendron gloriosum has large, heart-shaped, velvet leaves with bright white or pale pink veins. It is a crawler. The thick stem, called a rhizome, creeps along the top of the soil, and leaves rise up from it one at a time. Select-A-Plant lists it at 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 ft) tall.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Gloriosum | Big velvet hearts, white veins | Crawling stem along the soil |
| Philodendron melanochrysum | Long, narrow, black-green velvet | Climbs, with long, drooping leaves |
| Velvet philodendron | Small bronze velvet hearts | Much smaller leaves on a trailing vine |
Care differences
It crawls, so it needs a long, shallow pot or a rectangular planter. Keep the rhizome on top of the soil, not buried. A buried rhizome rots.
It likes humidity of 50% or more. In dry air, new leaves can tear or get stuck as they unfurl. Bright indirect light grows bigger leaves.
Do not wipe the velvet leaves. Dust them with a soft dry brush.
Grow it from a cutting
Cut a piece of rhizome with at least one node and a leaf or root. Lay it on top of damp sphagnum moss. Keep it warm and humid. Roots take four to six weeks.
Pet safety
It contains calcium oxalate crystals. It is toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.
Buying it
Gloriosum is sold at plant shops and online. Look for a firm rhizome with no soft spots. Check that the pot is wide enough for it to crawl. Some sellers call ‘Gloriosum Zebra’ and other hybrids by the same name. The true species has a crawling habit and clean white veins.