Grow and Care for Philodendron Imperial Red Like an Expert

Philodendron imperial red (Philodendron erubescens 'Imperial Red') is one of hundreds of varieties of this self-heading philodendron species.

This tropical plant is known for its colorful new leaf growth. Leaves unfurl bright red, as long as the plant is given sufficient light, before fading to a copper or gold shade and then bright green as they age.

Philodendron imperial red makes an excellent houseplant as long as it has moist soil, warm temperatures, and bright, indirect light. Here's how to grow and care for philodendron imperial red.

Philodendron Imperial Red Care

• Give philodendron imperial red bright, indirect light.

• Plant this philodendron in a moist, well-drained potting mix.

• Water philodendron imperial red when the top of the soil is dry.

• Fertilize this plant monthly in spring and summer.

Light

To maintain its distinctive color, philodendron imperial red requires lots of bright, indirect light.

A great place for this plant is in an east-facing window, where it will receive weaker morning sunlight, or several feet from a south-facing or west-facing window, as long as it's out of direct sun.

Prolonged exposure to harsh, direct sunlight can burn the leaves and stunt growth.

Soil

Like other philodendrons, the imperial red cultivar grows best in a light, well-drained potting mix with coconut coir or peat moss to hold moisture.

A standard houseplant mix with some added perlite or orchid bark for drainage can work well, or you can purchase or make your aroid-specific soil blend.

Water

Water your philodendron imperial red when the soil surface has just begun to dry out. Rather than watering on a set schedule, it's best to check the soil moisture regularly and water based on that.

Avoid letting the soil dry out completely. Empty drip trays and saucers after watering to make sure the plant is never sitting in water, which can lead to root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

Philodendron imperial red prefers warm, humid conditions. Give this tropical plant temperatures between 60 and 80°F.

Prolonged exposure to temperatures below 55°F can damage or kill your plant. Philodendron imperial red grows best at humidity levels between 50 and 70 percent, but this plant can handle average household humidity in temperate climates.

If your space is exceptionally dry, run a humidifier near your plant to add moisture to the air.

Fertilizer

Begin fertilizing philodendron imperial red when you first see new growth in late winter or early spring.

Feed your plant monthly with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength. Stop fertilizing in the fall when days shorten and temperatures cool.

Pruning

Philodendron imperial red doesn't require regular pruning, but it's a good idea to remove yellow or dying leaves as they appear.

Cut them back at the base of the petiole, or leaf stem, with clean, sterilized shears. As the central stem grows taller, you may want to provide the plant with a moss pole or trellis for support.

Propagating Philodendron Imperial Red

You can propagate philodendron imperial red by dividing offsets, or plantlets that can emerge at the base of the mother plant. The best time to do this is during repotting.

Before you begin, you'll need a healthy mother plant with a few offsets, sterilized shears (optional), small plant pots, fresh potting mix, and gardening gloves (optional). Here's how to propagate philodendron imperial red by division.

1. Gently tip your plant out of its pot. Use your fingers to loosen the soil around the root ball.

2. Carefully separate any offsets from the mother plant, making sure to keep the foliage attached to the roots. If you can't separate the roots of the offset from the main root ball by hand, use clean shears to cut through the roots.

3. Fill the pots halfway with potting mix. Plant the offsets, filling in with more fresh potting mix and patting the surface gently to hold it in place. Repot the mother plant.

4. Water the offsets well and put them in a warm place with bright, indirect light. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. When you see new leaf growth, the offsets are established and can be cared for as usual.
   

Potting and Repotting Philodendron Imperial Red

You'll know it's time to repot your philodendron imperial red when you see roots growing out of the holes in the bottom of the pot or filling the soil surface. Other signs that it's time to repot are that water seems to drain out immediately without being absorbed by the soil, a dull appearance, and stunted growth.

Even if you don't see any of these signs, it's a good idea to repot every two to three years. Repot in spring or summer using fresh potting mix and a pot that's only an inch or two larger than the previous pot.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Philodendron imperial red is susceptible to common houseplant pests like aphids, scale, white flies, mealybugs, and spider mites. Examine your plant frequently and act quickly at any signs of infestation to keep the problem under control.

Spray plants with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or a mix of water and dish soap to remove pests.

Common Problems With Philodendron Imperial Red

Leaves Turning Yellow

While the occasional yellowing leaf is a part of the normal aging process for houseplants, several yellow leaves at once can signal a moisture issue.

Overwatering is a common cause of yellow leaves on philodendron imperial red.

Note that as otherwise healthy red leaves fade to green, they may briefly appear dark yellow or gold—which is nothing to worry about.

Color Reverting

If your philodendron imperial red's leaves appear green rather than red when they first unfurl, that's a sign that your plant isn't getting enough light.

Move the plant closer to a window or use a grow light. Take care not to keep the plant in direct sunlight.

Brown Spots on Leaves

Brown spots on the leaves of philodendron imperial red can be a sign of pest damage. If you don't see any pests after examining the plant, consider whether it could be getting too much direct sunlight. Sunburn can cause brown or tan spots to appear on philodendron leaves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between imperial green and imperial red philodendron?

Philodendron imperial green has green leaves, while imperial red's leaves emerge bright red before fading to a coppery color and then to green. Philodendron imperial green and philodendron imperial red are both self-heading cultivars of Philodendron erubescens with glossy, heart-shaped leaves.

How tall does philodendron imperial red grow?

Philodendron imperial red can reach a mature size of 2 to 3 feet tall and wide when grown indoors.

How much light does philodendron imperial red need?

Philodendron imperial red needs lots of bright, indirect light to maintain its vivid red coloring. Keep it out of direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves.

Read the original article on The Spruce.