What is wrong with my heartleaf philodendron with yellow, crispy leaves?

What's likely going on

From the photo, this looks like a heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum). The symptoms are:

• Lots of brown, crispy leaves and bare, dead stems in the center
• Yellowing older leaves along long, thin vines
• A few still‑healthy green leaves around the outside

That pattern usually points to chronic stress over time, most often:

1. Underwatering / irregular watering. When soil dries out deeply and stays dry, older leaves crisp and drop while only a few newer leaves hang on.
2. Tired, compacted or root‑bound soil. In an old, crowded pot, water runs through quickly or only wets the top. Roots can’t take up enough moisture or nutrients, so the center of the plant dies back first.
3. Possible cold or heat stress if it sits right against a drafty or very hot window, which can worsen leaf damage, but the main issue still looks like water and root problems.

A close photo of the soil surface and roots (once unpotted) would confirm this.

What to do

1. Check the soil and roots. Gently slide the plant out of the pot.
   • Healthy roots: mostly light tan/white and firm.
   • Dead/rotting roots: brown/black, mushy, or smell bad.
2. Trim dead material. Cut off all brown, crispy leaves and any hollow, completely dry stems. This won’t hurt the plant and helps it focus on new growth.
3. Repot if crowded or soil is old. Use a pot with a drainage hole and fresh, well‑draining indoor mix (you can mix regular potting soil with some perlite or coco chips). Loosen roots gently and cut away any clearly dead ones.
4. Water deeply, then let it drain. After repotting, water until excess runs from the hole, then let the top 2–3 cm of soil dry before watering again.
5. Adjust the spot. Bright, indirect light near a window is perfect, but keep it out of harsh midday sun and away from cold drafts.

How to prevent it

• Water on a pattern, not by calendar. Check with a finger: when the top is dry to about the first knuckle, water thoroughly.
• Refresh potting mix every 1–2 years. This keeps it airy so roots can breathe and drink.
• Fertilize lightly in the growing season. A balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength once a month in spring–summer helps, but skip when the plant is very stressed until you see new growth starting.

When to worry

• If most remaining green leaves suddenly turn yellow and soft within days, check again for root rot or severe overwatering.
• If stems near the soil are mushy instead of dry and brittle, cut back to firm tissue and let the plant dry slightly before the next watering.
• If no new leaves appear after 1–2 months of improved care, reassess the roots; you may need to take healthy cuttings and restart the plant in fresh soil or water.