In this blog post, you’re going to learn how to easily propagate and care for Philodendron Imperial Red.
This is a comprehensive guide covering reliable information about different aspects of this variety.
In this post, I’ll cover:
Interesting Facts
Propagation
Repotting
Care
And
Solutions to Common Problems
So, if you are looking to propagate and care for Philodendron Imperial Red, this guide is for you.
Fun Facts
| Common Name | Philodendron imperial red |
| Botanical Name | Philodendron erubescens ‘Imperial Red’ |
| Family | Araceae |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous perennial |
| Fruit | Small berry-like (Usually not seen) |
| Mature Size | 2-3 ft height and width |
| Sun Exposure | Partial (indirect bright light) |
| Soil Type | Moist but well drained |
| Soil pH | Neutral (or slightly acidic) |
| Native Area | South America |
| Toxic | Toxic to the pets |
| Growth | Moderate to fast |
Philodendron Imperial Red is a colorful household plant that possesses many characteristics similar to other Philodendrons. It can be successfully cultivated indoors. This plant is very resilient and is capable of growing under different lighting conditions. Ideally, it should be placed in bright, indirect light.
Imperial Red grows moderately so it stays compact in an indoor environment. It also has the usual climbing or vining habit. This plant produces shoots slowly, so it demands some level of patience from the person taking care of it. Its growth is much apparent in the warmer season when the plant gets adequate light and heat.
In the winter months, it may show negligible growth or may be dormant. Some basic measures can be taken to ensure steady growth, including proper watering and fertilizing.
Flowers and Fruiting in P. Imperial Red
The structure of the Philodendron Imperial Red flower is hidden and seen less in an indoor environment. However, in favorable outdoor conditions, its flowers appear to be spathes and spadix, just like any member of the Araceae family. The spathe is a bract surrounding the spadix, the actual flower structure. The spathe is often large, but the spadix is much smaller. The flowers are not large or colorful and do not have an odor. The flowers play an important role in the plant’s natural propagation.
Fruiting in the Philodendron Imperial Red is even rarer than flowering. The fruits, when they occur, are small, berry-like structures. They help in the dispersal of seeds.
Benefits
Let’s explore some major advantages of this species;
Aesthetic Appeal
The Philodendron Imperial Red has large elongated leaves that are deep red in color and change to black-green on reaching maturity. Due to the enormous leaves and growth form, it is a masterpiece for both classy a touch of grandeur.
Air Purification
Like other philodendrons, the Imperial Red has an air-purifying quality. Thus, it cleans the indoor air from toxic compounds such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. It improves air quality and is recommended for use in homes for persons with breathing difficulties or for individuals who want a healthier environment inside their homes.
Low Maintenance
This plant is relatively low maintenance and can do well in a wide range of environments. It is not a fast growing and don’t require much pruning and repotting. Ultimately, it is suitable for a person with little time to tend a plant.
Durability
Because the indoor atmosphere’s temperature and humidity are flexible, the Philodendron Imperial Red is a durable plant variety that can adapt well to changing environments.
Its moderate growth also make it a plant to be in your space for the period of years.
Versatility
Imperial Red can be safely placed in different zones of a house or an office, from the living and dining rooms to bedrooms and working offices. It may be displayed on a table as an arrangement or used as a plant located on the floor depending on the plant’s size and maturity.
Mood Enhancer
Studies prove that having these indoor plants, especially the Philodendron Imperial Red can enhance a person’s morale and stress to help boost productivity.
Long-Lasting Foliage
This cultivar has dark green leaves that are both thick and tough, precipitating less drop-off, thus making the Imperial Red a long-lasting plant with constant foliage. This longevity enhances the beauty of the plant to a certain extent that one has to care less not to replace it frequently. Its foliage are the best options to handle the tough conditions of the environment.
Moreover, it can bear the drought conditions due to low transpiration nature of the leaves.
Space-Saving Plant
Unlike some common gigantic philodendrons, this Imperial Red is a bit compact and grows upright. This feature added an advantage of placing it in small areas where upright growth is desired. Due to its relatively small size, it is ideal for use in apartments, office spaces, and any other cramped space.
Propagation
Spring and early summer are the best times for propagation. Select a healthy stem that is green and clean with no discoloration. Use sterilized equipment for the cut. Take a snip 3 to 4 inches below the node where the possibility of growth is higher. Rooting the stem is not important, but it can provide a boost to your cut. Dip the cut in the rooting hormone for fast growth. Place your stem into the well-drained and moist soil. The soil should not be soggy, as this can lead to root rot and other health issues for the plant. Place the stem into a warm and humid area, as the cut is not ready for the sunlight.
Repotting
The imperial red philodendron needs repotting every two to three years. You will see signs such as the drainage of water without absorbing into the soil, less amount of soil in the pot, and the growth of roots outside the pot. If you do not see any of the signs, it’s best to change the pot every three years. Use a pot one size bigger than the previous one.
Care
Here is the list of care requirements for the imperial red philodendron:
Pruning
The imperial red philodendron does not need regular pruning. You can do that when you see yellow leaves or damaged areas. It is good for the plant’s better growth. Use the sterilized equipment for pruning. The central stem of the plant grows taller, so you may want to add a moss pole for extra support. The best time for pruning is spring, as it will encourage bushier growth.
Soil
The plant does best in a well-drained pot mix that has a good capacity to hold the moisture. You can use peat moss or potting mix with coconut coir. There should be organic matter in the mix.
Pot
For your plant, use a pot made of ceramic material. The pot should have a lot of drainage holes and a capacity to hold the soil and moisture. The pot should be big enough in a wider range to fit the roots of the plant well.
Water
Water your imperial red philodendron when the soil starts to dry out. Do not wait for the soil to completely dry. Instead of watering the plant on time, check the soil and water it accordingly. Do not overwater the plant. It can cause root rot.
Light
The plant needs bright, indirect sunlight for its growth. The ideal place for the plant is where indirect light is available. The imperial plant cannot tolerate direct sunlight, and it will burn its leaves. You can choose plant lights if you do not have the right spot for your plant.
Fertilizer
The best time to use the fertilizer is the start of the growing season. Use a liquid fertilizer mixed with water. Do not add fertilizer to the dry soil. The soil must be moist. Water the soil first and then add the fertilizer once a month. Stop adding fertilizers in winter and fall when the temperature starts to fall.
Temperature and humidity
The imperial red philodendron needs a warm and humid area to grow fully. The needed temperature is 60 °F to 80 °F. More exposure to a temperature below 50 °F can kill your plant, and prolonged periods in direct sunlight can damage your plant as well. The perfect humid level for the philodendron is between 50 to 70. The red Imperial can do well in normal household humid levels. If your plant is drying out, you should increase the humidity level. You can place a tray filled with water and pebbles or place your plant in the most humid room of the house.
Placement
To maintain its beautiful color, the plant needs a place where there is an abundance of light. Place the plant in the east-facing window from a distance of 3 to 4 feet. Avoid placing your plant in direct sunlight, as it will harm it.
Common Problems
Here is the list of common problems that every plant owner faces:
Pests
Common houseplant pets like spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and scales can make your plant their home. They will live on the leaves and consume your plant’s leaves. To prevent any damage, inspect your plant daily. If you find any insects, wipe them off with a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol, or you can use the spray solution, which will kill the bugs.
Fungal Diseases
Fungal diseases are the most common problem in household plants. This disease is caused by overwatering. The roots remain in soggy soil, which leads to root rot. The one symptom can be yellow leaves and a rotten smell from the roots. Do not overwater your plant, and use a pot with a lot of drainage holes. To treat it, cut the affected areas off and change the pot by adding fresh soil.
Brown Tips
If you spot brown tips of the imperial red philodendron, that can be due to the pets. Inspect the plant for any bugs. If you do not find any bugs, then it can be caused by too much sunlight. The more exposure of sunlight can cause brown spots on the leaves. Place your plant in a place where there is indirect sunlight.
Curling Leaves
The curling leaves may be caused by insect infestations. Insects living under the leaves start eating them, which causes the leaves to curl. Inspect the plant for any bugs. If you do not find any bugs, the reason can be more exposure to sunlight.
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves are the normal part of an aging plant. There are yellow leaves that are old or dying. But when you see new leaves turning yellow, the reason can be under watering and less exposure to light. Other reasons could include excessive watering or too much exposure to sunlight. Watch the watering schedule and monitor the sunlight exposure.
Toxicity
The red imperial philodendron plant is toxic for both humans and animals. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause ingestion and irritation when it comes into contact with the skin. If a pet ingests parts of the plant, it may experience irritation, swelling, vomiting, and excessive drooling. Take your pet to the vet immediately. If the pants come into contact with human skin, it can irritate the skin. Itching, swelling, and burning.
Varieties & Similar Plants
Here is the list of varieties and similar plants of imperial red philodendron:
Varieties
- Philodendron Rojo Congo
- Philodendron Imperial Green
Similar Plants
- Philodendron Xanadu
- Philodendron Black Cardinal
- Philodendron’ Moonlight’
- Philodendron Prince of Orange
