Philodendron Cherry Red  ( Philodendron erubescens )

Description

The Philodendron Cherry Red is Philodendron erubescens, and while they have glossy red-tinged growth, their leaves have more colour than just this. This large variety of tropical foliage houseplant have glossy deep green leaves and a deep purple-red underside and have a scarlet underside to the youngest leaves. The ‘Cherry Red’ name comes from this dramatic colouration that flushes as the new leaves appear from the central stem. Philodendron Cherry Red is a healthy grower which attaches itself with tendrilous roots. From the Araceae family it comes originally from the humid tropical rainforests of Colombia and Central America.

The Philodendron Cherry Red has really found favour with plant-lovers in India thanks to the ease of care that comes with its stunning, dramatic looks. These plant’s big heart to arrow shape leaves gain an appealing burgundy-red hue on the undersides and stems that reflects light with effect giving it an alluring appearance to your interior. The newly forming leaves appear coppery red before maturing to dark green on the upper sides so, you’ll be treated to a gradual colour change year-round. You can coax the plant up a moss pole, coir pole or encourage it to cascade out of a hanging basket or from the edge of a shelf.

Philodendron Cherry Red makes an excellent house plant in most homes throughout India. It likes high temperatures, high humidity, and bright indirect light - and most Indian homes can supply that with a good position next to a sunny window, and adequate ventilation. This plant will be quite small - probably just ready for re-potting into a 3 inch pot - the perfect age for re-potting into a nice permanent place, then letting it settle before the growing season starts. They grow quickly when well cared for, to be the perfect 'full' and attractive specimen plant.

Key Features

• Bright cherry-red turning to copper with the new growth, developing to a deep glossy green
• The stems are dark cherry to the burgundy undersides to the leaf to give it contrast
• Excellent climber – loves to cling to a moss pole, coir stick or trellis when it becomes large, natural and human 
• Adaptable to general Indian conditions in home environment – warm temperature and moderate to high humidity
• Incredibly luscious heart-shaped, deep green glossy leaves lend an impressive tropical feel to living rooms and offices
• Thrive in bright indirect light – ideal for rooms with high natural light, sunny window ledges and balconies where the sun is filtered
• Fairly fast growing as for many decorative houseplants once acclimatised
• An unusual and memorable gift for the plant lover or home decorator

Care at a Glance

Product Specifications

What's in the Box

• 1 x Live healthy Philodendron Cherry Red plant
• 1 × Pot (Bare-rooted / Pot: Optional)
• Potting mix
• Basic care guide

Important Notes

• As each of our Philodendron Cherry Red’s is unique there will be a slight variation in leaf size, fullness of red and number of leaves. This is completely normal.
• New leaves will be tight and may appear slightly unrolled – but please resist the temptation to straighten them out, as they will look perfect in a couple of days in their new spot.
• Some leaf shedding and yellowings in old plants during shipment is normal for the plant. After light and care, the plant becomes new again shortly and has new leaves.
• Philodendronrubescensplants- are all poisonous to people, dogs, and cats, if ingested, so keep this plant away from children or animals.
• Avoid placing the plant in a place that has too much direct sun, especially Indian Summers as it could be even because the plant’s shiny green leaves turn yellow turning into brown spots over its leaves. 
• For teaching it the concept of growing into a moss poll or support, do it while the plant is young. The aerial roots train to cling onto the support more easily as it develops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are new Philodendron Cherry Red leaves red and do they remain red?

A: As new leaves begin to unfold on your Philodendron erubescens you will notice they are bright cherry-red to coppery-red. This coloring will naturally recede as the leaves begin to grow and chlorophyll fully develops on top of the leaves giving them that characteristic deep green glossy look, but often the underside and stem will remain reddish-burgundy. Therefore, a mature Philodendron Cherry Red plant has both colors together and red will feature most on new growth and underneath leaf tips.

Q: Do I need to give my Philodendron Cherry Red a moss pole or support? 

A: It’s not necessary for survival but the Philodendron Cherry Red is at its absolute best when given something to climb on as it matures. Back home the Philodendron erubescens will cling on to trees with their aerial roots. If you provide coir poles or moss poles for your stems to cling onto it will help grow much larger leaves, an upright stem, and look very healthy. If you do not support your Philodendron it will begin to bend or droop as it grows and can become sprawling.

Q: How can I tell when it is time to water my Philodendron Cherry Red?

A: Test the soil of your Philodendron Cherry Red whenever you feel like you might need to give it a drink, and when the soil is dry, water the plant so that the water has a chance to come out the drainage holes. You should test this at about a 2cm depth into the potting soil- if it is moist at this depth, then no watering yet and wait another day. In summer, water every 4 or 5 days. You may not need to water at all every 7 days when the Philodendron is during cooler weather.

Q: The leaves have lost their dark colour and are looking very pale. Why are they so pale?

A: This can be due to one of two things, too much or too little sun. As with most coloured Philodendrons, when they have too much sun, the leaves can fade and bleach. With too little sun the plant has difficulty Photosynthesising and produces paler leaves in response. You should move this to a bright light location - try a position near a window with an additional screen, or balcony, protected from strong afternoon sun. In no time new leaves should be returning to a deep colour.

Q: When do I feed the Philodendron Cherry Red? 

A: From March to September, during the active growing months in India, fertilize your Philodendron Cherry Red once in 3 or 4 weeks with a half-strength liquid, all purpose fertilizer. Over-fertilization with liquid as well as granulated fertilizer may result in leaf tips that burn or develop an inch of brown color at the ends. In addition, if the soil’s salts can be found building up they may develop in root corrosion.

Q: Is Philodendron Cherry Red difficult to propagate in my own home? 

A: No, it’s actually one of the easiest houseplants to propagate and it can all be done in your house. Just take a stem cutting under the “node” - that’s the tiny bumpy bit where the leaves meet the stem - but make sure there are at least a few leaves to stick into water or soil. Stick this in warm, bright indirect light. Your cutting will be showing roots of a few centimetres long in about 3-5 weeks when placed in water, once ready transplant into a pot and plant like any other normal houseplant.