Want to add some velvety foliage to your plant shelf? This Philodendron El Choco Red Care and Growing Guide will help you out!
Philodendron rubrijuvenilum is a climbing aroid with large velvety leaves that’ll add a stunning glow to your plant collection! Head on to this informative Philodendron El Choco Red Care and Growing Guide to learn about the attractive houseplant!
- Botancial Name: Philodendron rubrijuvenile ‘El Choco red’
- USDA Zones: 9-11
- Reaches a handsome height of upto 3 feet indoors
- Prized for large velvety leaves that emerge with red undersides, gradually fading to green on maturity
- Flaunts its best colors under bright, indirect sunlight
Learn about Growing Dischidia hirsuta ‘Red Leaf’ Indoors here
Philodendron El Choco Red Plant Profile
Native to the rainforests of Columbia and Ecuador, Philodendron El Choco Red is a climbing aroid with large, velvety, heart-shaped leaves. Initially, the satin foliage emerges with red undersides, gradually fading to a greenish hue with maturity. The prominent olive green veins against the blushing red background make this Philo species an absolute stunner!
Philodendron El Choco Red reaches a decent height of upto 3 feet indoors. Being an epiphyte, the plant loves to climb on support—a moss pole works best without compromising the plant’s aesthetics.
Ideal Pot Size
El choco doesn’t need a huge pot to accommodate; ideally, a 6-8 inches pot with enough drainage holes will do good for the plant. So, do not let the lack of an extensive living room keep you from inviting this stunner into your home. If you want a low-height specimen, consider using the same pot size to keep the roots cramped and the plant growth in control.
Propagating Philodendron El Choco Red
The best way to multiply Philodendron rubrijuvenilum is via stem cuttings. All you need is a healthy plant, a pair of sharp scissors, and a pot of well-draining medium to complete the procedure!
- Clip a healthy stem just below the leaf node, using a pair of sterile scissors.
- Leave it in a clean, dry place to callous over. This will bar the risk of fungal infestation.
- Fill a container with a combination of sphagnum moss and perlite.
- Cover the pot with a transparent polythene bag to create a humid atmosphere if the indoor atmosphere is dry.
- Keep the medium moist and place the pot in a location with bright indirect sunlight for the best growth.
You’ll notice new growth in 3-4 weeks.
Requirements for Growing Philodendron El Choco Red
Soil
Get this beautiful plant some chunky potting medium with perlite, orchid bark, and charcoal. It is best to use a good airy potting mix through which water drains out quickly. This will help you keep the soil moist but not soggy, which is not at all appreciated by the plant.
Water
Philodendron el choco red loves a moist environment that is not water-logged. The trick is to follow a weekly deep watering schedule that lets it drain out from the holes completely, drenching the medium thoroughly. Let the top two inches dry out between the watering sessions to maintain the balance.
Light
Philodendron el choco red will grow best close to an east-facing window to supplement it with bright, indirect sunlight. A few hours of the morning sun will boost the vivid undersides of the foliage, while the harsh afternoon sun might scorch the edges.
Temperature and Humidity
Native to the rainforests, the plant does not appreciate cold temperatures and does best in a range of 65-85 F or 18-29 C. If the temperature in your region goes below the point, expose your Philos to heaters or LED bulbs to induce some warmth.
Provide this Philodendron with high humidity—the native habitat demands so. A humidity level above 60% is the minimum the plant needs to thrive.
Growing Philodendron El Choco Red Care
Fertilizer
Your Philodendron el choco red can do exceptionally well if you treat it with a balanced NPK fertilizer. Alternatively, shower the plant with a liquid houseplant feed after diluting it to half its strength every 4-6 weeks during the growing months.
An occasional application of organic fertilizer tea also boosts foliage growth.
Pests and Diseases
Pests like whiteflies, mealybugs, thrips, and fungal Gnats are most likely to affect your plant. In summer, pest infestations are on the rise, and you will need to take preventive measures like spraying neem oil solution to counter the same.
Drooping leaves and root rot are some of the major problems caused by overwatering.
