Add a pop of color to your living room with Philodendron erubescens flaunting stunning heart-shaped leaves with a gorgeous tint of red!
Philodendron erubescens is a beautiful indoor plant well-suited for homes and offices with its luscious green and red foliage. Flaunt your green thumb and bring this stunner indoors with this Blushing Philodendron Care Guide!
- Botanical Name: Philodendron erubescens
- Popular as Blushing Philodendron, Red Leaf Philodendron
- Prized for elongated, glossy green foliage with exotic wine-red undersides
- Grows to a height of 2-3 feet
- Loves bright, indirect sunlight
- Toxic to pets
Philodendron erubescens Plant Profile
Popular as Blushing Philodendron, Philodendron erubescens is a true showstopper, with its dark green leaves exuding a subtle red blush and exotic wine-red stems that will make your heart flutter. Standing at a height of 2 to 3 feet, it will add a pop of exotic colors while sitting stunningly on your windowsill or as a centerpiece on your coffee table!
Apart from its aesthetics, the sturdy growth structure and low care needs make it the first choice of new plant parents. You may also elevate its beauty by supporting this robust climber with a moss pole, helping it climb gracefully.
How about turning your home into an indoor jungle with the right blend of elegance and tropics? That’s Philodendron erubescens for you!
Ideal Pot Size
Follow the signature way to find the right pot size for your Philodendron erubescens—one size bigger than the plant’s root ball. However, a 4-6 inches pot is good enough for your Philo, which can be upgraded to an one size bigger container once roots start peeping out of the drainage holes.
Unglazed clay pots, classy ceramics, textured pot covers, or shiny metal planters—options are endless to complement this exotic houseplant.
Philodendron erubescens Propagation
Propagating Philodendron erubescens through stem cuttings is a simple and effective way to increase your plant collection. Here are the steps to follow:
- Look for a stem that is at least 6 inches long and has plenty of aerial roots. Make a cut just below a node using a clean, sharp pair of scissors or a knife.
- Dip the cut end of the stem into a rooting hormone, brushing off the excess. This will encourage root growth and increase the success rate of the propagation.
- Prepare a pot with a well-draining potting mix and plant the hormone-coated end of the stem, gently firming the soil around it.
- Place the container in a warm, bright location with indirect sunlight and water the medium thoroughly. You can cover the container with a plastic bag to create a greenhouse-like environment.
In about 3-4 weeks, you will see new growth emerging. Once the roots are established, you can gradually acclimate the new plant to normal indoor conditions.
Requirements for Growing Philodendron erubescens
Light
Sunlight is an important factor in growing Philodendron erubescens indoors, if you want to maintain its exotic blush. The plant prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some morning sunlight as long as it is not intense. Avoid placing the plant in areas with low light, as this can lead to slower growth and reduced color intensity.
In case you don’t have a bright spot at your home, expose the plant to medium-intensity grow lights to aid its growth and colors.
Soil
The ideal growing medium for Philodendron erubescens should be well-draining and rich in organic matter. A mixture of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite works well and helps to retain moisture without getting soggy. If the typical garden soil is all you have, ensure to amend it with enough sand or gritty pebbles to enhance drainage.
Water
Watering Philodendron erubescens is relatively simple, but it is important to avoid getting overboard with it. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before watering, and then shower the medium thoroughly until it begins to drain from the bottom of the pot.
Overwatering the plant is a sure-shot way to kill it, so better you steer clear of that.
Temperature & Humidity
The ideal temperature for growing Philodendron erubescens indoors is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit or 15-26 degrees Celcius, with a minimum of 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius. The plant is sensitive to cold temperatures and may die if exposed to temperatures below the minimum point. In such a case, expose the plant to room heaters or nurture it inside an indoor greenhouse.
Humidity is also important for growing this houseplant, as the plant is native to humid rainforests. Misting the leaves regularly or placing a humidifier near the plant can help to maintain a proper level of humidity. Alternatively, you can place the pot on a tray filled with pebbles and water, which will help to increase humidity as the water evaporates.
Philodendron erubescens Care Guide
Fertilizer
Fertilizing Philodendron erubescens is important to maintain healthy growth and support the development of new leaves and stems. A half-strength balanced, water-soluble fertilizer should be applied every 4-6 weeks during the growing season. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to salt buildup in the soil and damage the roots.
Pests & Diseases
Common pests include spider mites, mealybugs, and scales. Keeping the plant clean and free of debris and regularly inspecting it for signs of infestation can help to prevent pest problems. Diseases can be caused by over-watering, poor drainage, and lack of air circulation.
To curb such issues, spray the affected areas with an organic neem oil solution or an organic fungicide, besides avoiding overwatering.
