Philodendron Dark Lord: How to Grow This Striking Yet Low Maintenance Houseplant

Philodendron dark lord (Philodendron erubescens ‘dark lord’) is a tropical houseplant beloved for its striking dark foliage and low-maintenance nature. It is a hybrid of the stunning philodendron imperial red, and its care and temperament is very similar. While this plant is considered somewhat rare and difficult to find, houseplant lovers will be happy to know that once you get your hands on one, it is pretty easy to keep it happy indoors.

Native to the tropical jungles of Central and South America, this climbing aroid can grow outdoors in USDA zones 10b to 11b, although it does best as a houseplant where its conditions can be more closely monitored. Parents and pet owners should be aware that like all philodendrons, the dark lord is considered toxic to pets and humans if ingested.

Here’s everything you need to know about how to grow and care for philodendron dark lord as a houseplant.

Philodendron Dark Lord Care

Here are the basic requirements for growing philodendron dark lord:

• Provide the plant with several hours of bright to medium indirect light.

• Use a soil mix that is rich, airy, and well-draining, such as an aroid mix.

• Allow the soil to partially dry between waterings and then water thoroughly.

• Fertilize regularly during the active growing season.

• Provide your plant with a moss pole or trellis to climb to support healthy growth and mimic its natural growing environment.

Light

The philodendron dark lord grows best in a location that receives several hours of bright, indirect light. They can tolerate a range of lighting conditions including low light, although the foliage will be leggier and less vibrant. Just be sure to avoid exposing your plant to extended periods of harsh, direct sunlight as the leaves are susceptible to leaf burn.

Soil

Plant this philodendron in an airy, well-draining soil mix that is slightly acidic. Standard indoor potting soil on its own will be too dense for this aroid, which is highly susceptible to root rot if the soil is not well-draining enough. A soil mix designed for aroids is ideal, or you can easily make your own at home by mixing equal parts indoor potting soil, perlite, and orchid bark mix.

Water

Allow the soil to partially dry out between waterings and then water thoroughly, allowing the excess water to drain from the pots drainage holes. In spring and summer, this will likely mean watering about once a week and in the fall and winter once every one to two weeks. Like most philodendrons, the dark lord is a moisture-loving tropical plant that is also vulnerable to root rot if overwatered, so never leave the plant in wet or waterlogged soil.

Temperature and Humidity

Native to the tropical jungles of Central and South America, the philodendron dark lord grows best in warm, slightly humid conditions. Average household temperature levels are perfect for this plant as long as it's not exposed to temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) for an extended period of time.

While most houses tend to run on the dry side, this philodendron can tolerate average household humidity levels as well, but it will thrive if given extra humidity. Placing a small humidifier designed for houseplants nearby or putting the pot on a pebble tray filled with water are two ways to easily increase the humidity around your plant. Avoid especially cold or drafty areas of your home.

Fertilizer

The philodendron dark lord benefits from regular fertilization during the active growing period. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength once every three to four weeks during watering to encourage strong, healthy growth. Alternatively, you can also mix a slow-release fertilizer into the soil at the beginning of the season.

Pruning

Philodendron dark lord does not require regular pruning, however, you might want to prune it to help control the size of mature plants. If you want to prune your plant, waiting until spring or summer when it is actively growing is best. Use a pair of sharp and clean pruning shears or scissors to prune the stem to the desired height. Any stem cuttings that have nodes present can be repurposed for propagating to grow new plants.

Propagating Philodendron Dark Lord

These philodendrons can be easily propagated using stem cuttings. Propagation will be most successful during the active growing period (the spring and summer months), but you can attempt propagation at any time of the year.

Here’s how to propagate a philodendron dark lord using stem cuttings in just a few simple steps:

1. Using a pair of sharp pruning shears or scissors, take a stem cuttings from a healthy and mature philodendron dark lord. Each cutting should have between two to four nodes along the stem, and at least one leaf.

2. Remove any leaves present at the bottom of the cutting so the nodes along the stem are exposed, leaving at least one leaf at the top (ideally two).

3. Prepare a container with fresh, room-temperature water and place the cutting in the water so the exposed nodes are submerged but the leaves remain above the surface. You can use any kind of watertight container, but many people prefer glass so you can easily monitor the growth of roots.

4. Place the cuttings in a warm location that receives bright to medium indirect light.

5. Replace the water once a week to keep it fresh. After a couple of weeks, you should begin to see small white roots growing from the nodes along the stem. Once the roots are about an inch long you can transfer the cutting from water to soil.

6. Prepare a small pot with rich, airy, and well-draining soil and plant the rooted cutting in the soil, ensuring all the roots are buried. The pot should have drainage holes.

7. Water the newly planted cutting thoroughly, allowing the excess water to drain from the pot’s drainage holes.

8. Return the cuttings to the plant's original location to help minimize shock.

9. Keep the soil evenly moist for the first couple of weeks to help the roots acclimate from water to soil. Then, begin slowly cutting back on watering until you are allowing the top couple of inches of soil to dry between waterings, as you do with mature plants.

Potting and Repotting Philodendron Dark Lord

This tropical plant only needs to be repotted once it has outgrown its pot, which is usually once every one to two years. Roots growing from the pot’s drainage holes or circling the inside of the pot are both signs your plant is ready for a larger container. Stunted growth may also be a sign, although there can be several other causes of this as well.

If possible, it’s best to wait until spring or summer to repot your plant since it is actively growing in these months. Choose a new planter that is only two to four inches larger in diameter than the previous pot, and carefully move the plant into its new home, removing as much of the old soil as you can as you go. Fill in the extra space with plenty of fresh well-draining soil, and water the plant well immediately after repotting to help settle the soil and remove any air pockets. Return your philodendron dark lord to its original location to help it acclimate to its new container and reduce shock.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Keep an eye out for common houseplant pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, scale, and fungus gnats. While the philodendron dark lord is not particularly prone to any of these pests, they can easily transfer from other plants at the nursery or at home and become a problem for this tropical plant. If you notice an infestation, be sure to isolate your plant from any other houseplants in the home and begin treating it with neem oil or another insecticide until all pests are gone.

As for diseases, watch out for fungal rust spot diseases which are common among philodendrons, including the philodendron dark lord. Small brown or rust-colored spots on the leaves indicate your plant may be suffering from one of these fungal diseases. Treatment should include trimming off any affected leaves and regularly applying a fungicide until the infection is resolved.

Common Problems With Philodendron Dark Lord

Like many philodendrons, the dark lord is generally considered low-maintenance and easy to grow indoors. But there are a few common problems you may encounter as you learn how to care for this tropical aroid. Watch out for these three in particular:

Slow or Stunted Growth

Philodendron dark lords aren’t known for being particularly fast growers, but if you notice that your plant is barely growing at all over the course of a few months, it may be experiencing stunted growth. The most common causes of stunted or slow growth are a lack of sunlight and underwatering, although under-fertilizing and needing to be repotted can also contribute.

Brown Spots on Leaves

Brown spots are a common problem for many houseplants including the philodendron dark lord. There are several different kinds of brown spots that can all mean different things. Small brown or rust-colored spots usually indicate that a fungal infection is present and your plant should be treated with a fungicide. Large brown spots that are dry and crispy in texture are either a result of leaf burn or a lack of humidity in the air, while browning edges can be a sign your plant is underwatered or experiencing overly dry conditions.

Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves are a common problem that can have a couple of different causes. Often, yellowing leaves are a result of a lack of sunlight or underwatering, but a lack of humidity, pests, and overwatering can also be the issue. Examine your plant’s growing environment closely to determine what may be causing yellowing leaves in your case.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is philodendron dark lord rare?

The philodendron dark lord is considered a somewhat rare variety of philodendron. While it may not be available at most nurseries, big box stores, or grocery stores, you can usually find this plant online and at specialty houseplant shops for a reasonable price.

Is philodendron dark lord a climbing plant?

The philodendron dark lord has a climbing growth habit which means it will grow best when given a support to climb, such as a moss pole or trellis. With a little encouragement, the plant’s aerial roots will grab onto the support and it will attach itself to the pole or trellis.

How do I increase the size of my philodendron leaves?

Besides ensuring your plant is growing in bright indirect light, training your philodendron to climb a moss pole or trellis is the best way to increase the size of your plant’s leaves. This mimics the plant’s natural growing conditions and will result in significantly larger leaves.

Read Next: 25 Types of Philodendron to Grow Indoors

Read the original article on The Spruce.