How to Grow and Care for Philodendron Erubescens

Philodendron erubescens [1], also known as the blushing philodendron or red-leaf philodendron, is a species of flowering plant in the family Araceae, native to Colombia and other parts of Central and South America. It is a robust evergreen climber that can grow up to 60 feet in length, with red stems and heart-shaped leaves that have reddish-copper undersides.

The flowers are deep red, fragrant spathes that appear in summer and autumn. Philodendron erubescens is a popular houseplant that prefers indirect or filtered sunlight, high humidity, and well-drained, loamy soil. It is toxic to people and pets [2] due to calcium oxalate crystals in its sap.

Common Name	Blushing philodendron, red-leaf philodendron, imperial red philodendron
Botanical Name	Philodendron erubescens
Plant Type	Perennial
Sun Exposure	Partial
Mature Size	2-60 feet long, 16 inches wide
Soil pH	Neutral to acidic
Soil Type	Well-drained, loamy
Flower Color	Red
Toxicity	Toxic to people and pets

Philodendron Erubescens is a tropical plant native to Central and South America. It is also known as Blushing Philodendron, Red-leaf Philodendron, or Imperial Red Philodendron. It has large, glossy leaves that are usually green on the upper surface and red or purple on the lower surface. Some of the common types of Philodendron Erubescens are:

• P. erubescens 'Red Emerald': This type has dark green leaves with red stems and veins. It is a climbing plant that can grow up to 60 feet in its natural habitat. It is one of the most popular varieties of P. erubescens .

• P. erubescens 'Pink Princess': This type has dark green leaves with pink variegation. It is a rare and sought-after variety that can produce pink flowers. It is a slow-growing plant that needs bright indirect light and high humidity .

• P. erubescens 'White Knight': This type has dark green leaves with white variegation. It is also a rare and expensive variety that can produce white flowers. It is similar to the 'Pink Princess' but with a different color pattern  .

• P. erubescens 'Black Cardinal': This type has dark burgundy leaves that turn almost black when mature. It is an upright plant that can grow up to 3 feet tall. It has red flowers that contrast with the dark foliage  .

• P. erubescens 'Green Emerald': This type has bright green leaves with no variegation. It is a climbing plant that can grow up to 10 feet long. It has red flowers that match the color of the leaf undersides .

Compared to other philodendron species, P. erubescens is less tolerant of cold and drought, but if you can give it enough warmth and humidity, it will thrive. This plant has very lovely, big, glossy leaves.

Like many philodendrons, P. erubescens may do without water for a little period of time, but it's ideal to water your plant when the soil is dry, allowing for drainage as needed. As a houseplant, it is quite simple to grow since it doesn't require direct, full sunlight. Although "Red Emerald" is widely available, it is reported to be fairly difficult to find. The 'Pink Princess' philodendron is the most uncommon.

Temperature and Humidity

P. erubescens, like other philodendrons, prefers a lot of moisture and heat to thrive, yet once it's established, it can tolerate brief spells of cold. The plant works incredibly well at normal room temperatures and does best in a temperature range of 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Soil

Philodendron plants don't have many soil requirements, thus most common potting soils are fine. A loamy, nutrient-rich, quick-draining soil is ideal for the plant's growth. Choose a mixture with a pH between neutral and acidic. Add some sand to the soil mixture if it is too heavy.

Water

When the top inch or so of soil is dry, water Philodendron Erubescens. Allow the soil to slightly dry between waterings. Overwatering this plant can cause root rot.

Fertilizer

Apply a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer to Philodendron Erubescens every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. Feeding should be reduced or stopped during the winter as growth slows.

Light

Philodendron Erubescens prefers medium to bright indirect light. Place it near a window that gets a lot of indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.

From seed, it is rather easy to grow P. erubescens. Get your philodendron seeds, a new pot with soil in it, and some plastic wrap. After planting the seeds in moist soil at a depth of about 1/3 inch, cover the pot with plastic wrap to keep moisture inside until the seeds germination.

To make sure the soil doesn't dry out, check it frequently. Place the pot in a location that receives regular temperatures of between 70 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and bright, indirect light. The seeds ought to sprout in two weeks to two months. The plants can now be taken care of as usual.

P. erubescens plants that are younger are prolific producers. Your plant will probably require repotting every spring at the start of the growing season. It's helpful to provide some framework for it to climb on after its first year, when it's ready to climb (or even on its first repotting after sprouting).

It might be challenging to teach a plant to "take hold" of its climbing pole and begin its ascent, but this plant isn't particularly particular about what it wants to climb. The main vine should be carefully tied to the support and trained upward to promote climbing. It's hoped that ultimately it will decide on its own to hold onto the pole. The climbing poles make it much tougher to repot older plants. If this is a problem, just remove the top soil layers and replace them with new soil and fertilizer.

Keep an eye out for spider mites, mealybugs, scale, and aphids. This plant is susceptible to leaf spot disease. To prevent infestations, maintain good air circulation and wipe leaves on a regular basis. Treat pest and disease problems as soon as possible.

To promote blooming, hand pollinate your indoor P. erubescens plant because philodendrons do not self-pollinate. With rich red blossoms, this species blooms for a few days at a time in the spring and summer. Before it blooms, keep your philodendron in an area with regular warm temperatures. When your plant's spathe is open at night, you can pollinate it by dusting pollen on the spadix. After the blooms have bloomed, the plant can be pruned (or deadheaded).

What type of soil is best for Philodendron Erubescens?

Philodendron Erubescens prefers well-draining, rich, moist soil with a pH ranging from slightly acidic to neutral. A good ratio is two parts peat moss, one part perlite, and one part vermiculite.

Is Philodendron Erubescens poisonous to animals?

Yes, if ingested, Philodendron Erubescens is toxic to pets. Keep pets and children away from it.

How can I grow Philodendron Erubescens?

Philodendron Erubescens can be propagated by taking stem cuttings. Take a cutting with at least two leaves and one node. Place the cutting in water or moist soil to form roots.

SOURCES

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1. Philodendron erubescens - National Parks Board

2. Are philodendrons poisonous? - Iowa State University