The Burle Marx Philodendron is a great addition to a tropical garden. Named after the famous landscape architect, Roberto Burle Marx, this small philodendron with its heart-shaped leaves and low-growing profile is a favorite in modern tropical landscapes. Used in groups between larger specimen philodendron or other large tropical plants, it provides green cover at a lower level to fill in gaps and create the full, tropical look. Alternatively, when planted in larger groups by itself it provides a low green profile popular in more modern designs.
As with most philodendrons, you could also plant it beneath a palm or other tree with a rough texture surface and this little philodendron might surprise you by climbing up the tree. You can see a great example of this at the garden center on Sanibel. These plants like well-drained soil and regular watering, but not overwatering, and they prefer bright but indirect light. Direct, hot sunlight will burn the leaves of this and most philodendron.
This is one of the easiest philodendrons to grow and a fun example of this group of tropical plants. The glossy heart-shaped leaves grow densely on the plant and provide good coverage at a lower height of about 2 feet. Their natural growth pattern is to grow wider than tall and will fill in an area nicely. Give this little philodendron a chance in your garden.
This plant column is provided by In The Garden, Sanibel’s retail garden center, located at 3889 Sanibel Captiva Road.