hi, im new to the board but have been keeping gf for 6 years. My grandma also keeps fish and she recomended that i try a philodendron in my tank. That was about 2 years ago, the plant lived but didnt grow and eventually died. So, i went down to Fred Myer to get some more and the ladie told me that philodendron will kill the fish. I know this is BS because it didn't affect my fish but my question is how do i make them grow in my tank and why did she say it would kill them?

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the philodendron a terrestrial plant and therefore will survive underwater only for a short time before dying due to not being in its natural enironment? If that is true, perhaps that is your answer.

Regarding your other question, according to the ASPCA philodendrons are toxic. ([I]Source.[/I[) Perhaps you were lucky the last time you had the plant in your tank as your fish did not eat it.

I have grown philodendrons in my tanks for years with no problem. They are toxic to cats, dogs, maybe, not sure about that, but they do not seem to bother goldfish.