The Easy-To-Care-For Indoor Houseplant That Helps Keep Your Home's Air Clean

You don't need to travel abroad to breathe fresh rainforest air. The Split-Leaf Philodendron, or Philodendron bipinnatifidum, is native to the tropical zones of Brazil, but it can also be grown easily at home. The large glossy leaves and long stems are not only beautiful to look at, but they will help purify the air in your home. The Split-Leaf Philodendron cleans the oxygen in its environment by removing airborne pollutants and bacteria, making it one of the top houseplants that are good for your health. 

You will love having this lush exotic beauty in your home and caring for it is simple, although not entirely effortless. It's important to set this plant up for success by creating the right conditions for it to grow — and it will certainly do that once you get accustomed to its needs. With the right soil and a delicate balance of sunlight and water, this plant can grow up to 10 feet tall. It's time to infuse your space with fresh greenery and naturally purified air.

The Split-Leaf Philodendron grows marvelously indoors with relatively little maintenance. However, it has several care requirements to thrive. As an indoor houseplant, the Split Leaf Philodendron is most suited for a soil mixture that is very well-draining and light. The soil's top layer should be given time to dry in between waterings as overwatering can damage the roots. Indirect bright sunlight is optimal and humidity is an important factor for this plant, given its native rainforest habitat. This makes it one of the best houseplants for your bathroom, as the warm and humid environment will actually help it grow. If you plan to keep it in your bedroom, ensure that the temperature is kept above 60°F and that adequate humidity is provided. The drawback of this plant is that it is highly toxic to dogs and cats. Even chewing it could cause adverse effects, so it is best to avoid this plant if you have curious pets at home.

If its needs are met, your Split Leaf Philodendron will reward you with the benefits of purified air. In a study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Philodendrons were among the houseplants that removed toxic pollutants such as Formaldehyde from the atmosphere. Another study published in Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences says Philodendrons remove pathogens such as mold and bacteria from their environment. As it grows its vibrant leaves, this majestic plant will infuse your space with tropical freshness.