Blushing philodendron
Also called Red emerald philodendron, Pink princess, Imperial red.
| Light | bright indirect light |
|---|---|
| Water | Every 8 days in the growing season, every 14 in winter |
| Pets | Cats toxic, dogs toxic |
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants list.
Toxic to cats and dogs if chewed. Listed as toxic to cats, dogs and horses under the name red emerald. The insoluble calcium oxalates cause intense burning of the mouth and tongue, drooling and difficulty swallowing. Keep it where an animal that eats houseplants cannot reach it, and speak to a vet if one does. In South Africa telephone the Poison Information Helpline on 0861 555 777; in the US, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.
The blushing philodendron climbs the trunks of trees in Colombia, and the name refers to the deep wine red of its stems and the underside of its new leaves. It is the parent of most of the fashionable variegated philodendrons, including the pink one that has been sold for absurd money and photographed more than it has been grown. What every version wants is the same: a coarse airy mix that lets the roots breathe, something to climb, and more light than a plain green philodendron needs. Variegated forms are the demanding ones, because a shoot that reverts to plain green grows faster than the marked growth and will take over the plant within a season if it is not cut out. Like all its relatives it carries irritant crystals and is on the ASPCA list as toxic.
Ailments observed
| White or yellow markings fading to plain green | Too little light on a variegated form, or a shoot that has reverted to plain green. Move it brighter, and cut a reverted shoot back to a node that still carries colour. |
|---|---|
| Yellow leaves at the bottom of the plant | Overwatering in a mix that holds too much water. Repot into a coarse bark based mix and let the top 4 cm dry between waterings. |
| Long bare stems and pale new leaves | Too little light, or nothing to climb. Move it brighter and give it a moss pole. The leaves get larger as it climbs. |
Questions from the margin
My pink princess is coming through all green. What do I do?
Cut the reverted shoot back to a node that still has colour in the stem, and give the plant more light. An all green shoot grows faster than a variegated one and will take the whole plant over if it is left.
Filed underPlants for humid air, Statement plants
Neighbouring entries
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Philodendron hederaceumHeartleaf philodendron care for a shelf or a pole, with how often to water, why the stems go leggy, and how to root a cutting in a week or two.
Swiss cheese plant
Monstera deliciosaHow to care for a Monstera deliciosa indoors, with a watering interval that changes with the season and the light, plus its usual ailments and their fixes.
Arrowhead vine
Syngonium podophyllumArrowhead vine care for a shelf or a pole, with the light that keeps the markings and the pinching that stops it going stringy.