How to Grow Burle Marx Plant
Burle Marx Plant
Philodendron erubescens 'Burle Marx'
vineBurle Marx is a stunning tropical climbing philodendron with heart-shaped leaves featuring striking red undersides and deep green upper surfaces. It's a relatively compact, vining houseplant that adapts well to indoor cultivation and can be trained on a moss pole or left to cascade. Named after the famous Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, this cultivar is prized for its ornamental foliage and manageable growth habit.
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Example Burle Marx Plant timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Burle Marx Plant
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Burle Marx Plant
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in USDA zones 11-13; excellent as a houseplant worldwide
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Young Transplant
2-4 weeksSmall rooted cuttings or nursery plants with 2-4 leaves; compact growth habit
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright indirect light. Maintain warmth (65-75°F). Begin light support structure if desired.
Established Vining
2-6 monthsPlant develops multiple stems with progressively larger heart-shaped leaves; characteristic red undersides become prominent
Water when top soil is dry. Install moss pole or support structure. Fertilize monthly during growing season (spring-summer). Rotate pot weekly for even growth. Prune to control size and encourage bushiness.
Climbing/Training
Ongoing during growing seasonAerial roots develop; plant climbs support structure or trails from hanging baskets; leaf size increases along vines
Secure stems to moss pole with soft ties. Mist pole and foliage to encourage aerial root attachment. Continue monthly feeding. Wipe leaves to remove dust and enhance light absorption.
Mature Plant
Long-term maintenanceFull-sized vines with abundant heart-shaped leaves displaying vibrant red undersides; possible cataphyll formation (protective leaf sheaths)
Fertilize every 4-6 weeks. Prune to maintain desired size and shape. Provide structural support. Monitor for pests. Reduce watering in winter dormancy.
Propagation
2-4 weeks to rootStem cuttings develop roots in water or soil; new shoots emerge from leaf nodes
Take 4-6 inch cuttings with at least 2 nodes. Place in water or moist propagation medium. Maintain warmth and high humidity. Change water every 2-3 days if water propagating. Transfer rooted cuttings to soil after 2-3 weeks.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity; mist foliage regularly. Spray with water to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe.
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Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Isolate infested plant. Apply neem oil spray weekly.
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Scrape off manually with soft brush. Treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Monitor new growth.
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Spray with strong water stream. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Ensure good air circulation.
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Allow soil to dry between waterings. Repot in fresh, well-draining soil if affected. Remove mushy roots with sterile tools.
Uses
Indoor Air Purification
HouseholdPhilodendrons are recognized by NASA as air-purifying plants that help remove formaldehyde and other toxins from indoor air. They contribute to improved indoor air quality in homes and offices. [source]
Ornamental Decoration
HouseholdThe striking red-backed heart-shaped leaves make Burle Marx a highly attractive focal point for shelves, bookcases, moss poles, and living walls. Its compact growth habit suits modern minimalist and tropical interior design styles. [source]
Living Wall Installation
HouseholdWith proper support structures and regular misting, Burle Marx thrives in vertical garden installations and living wall systems. Its aerial roots adapt well to climbing on moss poles and wooden structures. [source]
Plant Propagation and Trading
CraftThe ease of propagation from stem cuttings makes Burle Marx popular among plant enthusiasts and collectors for sharing and trading. One plant produces numerous cuttings for expansion or gifting. [source]
Non-toxic to Pets
WildlifeWhile philodendrons contain oxalates and are technically mildly toxic if ingested in large quantities, Burle Marx is far less hazardous than many houseplants and suitable for homes with curious pets when placed out of reach. [source]
Harvest Tips
This is an ornamental foliage plant, not harvested in traditional sense. However, regularly prune 4-6 inch stem cuttings for propagation or to maintain shape. Cut just below a node using clean, sharp tools. Remove yellowed or damaged leaves year-round to maintain appearance.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Burle Marx philodendrons develop distinctive aerial roots that naturally climb and cling to moss poles, mimicking their rainforest canopy behavior in nature.
- 🌱 The plant was named after Roberto Burle Marx, a pioneering 20th-century Brazilian landscape architect who revolutionized tropical garden design and used native Brazilian plants extensively in his work.
- 🌱 The red undersides of Burle Marx leaves contain anthocyanin pigments—the same compounds responsible for color in red wine and blueberries—which provide UV protection in tropical sunlight.
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