Philodendron erubescens · Blushing philodendron

The plant shows arrow/hastate-shaped leaves with a glossy surface, reddish-maroon petioles and new growth (cataphylls) that are deep red and persist at the stem, and reddish coloring on the underside/margins of emerging leaves — all classic traits of Philodendron erubescens, which is known for its reddish-purple new leaves and petioles that mature to green. The leaf shape here is simple and entire (not lobed or bristly), which rules out P. squamiferum (which has distinctive hairy/bristly red petioles and often three-lobed leaves) — this plant's petioles are smooth and waxy, not hairy, supporting erubescens over squamiferum. Vining/climbing habit with alternating leaves on a reddish stem also fits. I can't rule out very similar red-flushed philodendron hybrids/cultivars (e.g. 'Red Emerald', 'Pink Princess' parentage lines, or P. erubescens hybrids) which look nearly identical as juveniles, so I'm not fully certain of exact species vs. a cultivar derived from it.

Generated 2026-10-06 05:10 by anthropic (claude-sonnet-5).

Light

Bright, indirect light; will tolerate medium light but leaf fenestration (the violin-shaped lobing) develops best with brighter conditions. Avoid direct hot sun which can scorch leaves.

Water

Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, typically every 7-10 days; let it dry out a bit more in winter to avoid root rot.

Nutrients

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength monthly during spring through fall; skip feeding in winter.

Repotting

Repot every 1-2 years in spring, or when roots emerge from drainage holes or the mix breaks down; this vining aroid also appreciates a moss pole or trellis to climb as it matures.

Soil media

Chunky, well-draining aroid mix -- potting soil amended with bark, perlite, and a bit of charcoal.

Temp & humidity

65-80F; moderate to high humidity (50%+) is ideal -- mist regularly or use a pebble tray/humidifier in drier rooms.

Temperature range

🌡️ 65-80F

Humidity range

💦 50-70%

Care group

🏷️ Bright & Humid

Toxicity

Contains calcium oxalate crystals; toxic if chewed or ingested by pets or people, and sap can irritate skin and eyes. Keep away from curious pets and small children, and wear gloves when pruning.

Pests & diseases

Generally hardy; watch for spider mites and mealybugs in dry air, and scale occasionally. Overwatering or poor drainage can lead to root rot.

Propagation

Stem cuttings root readily in water or moist chunky mix -- take a cutting with at least one node and aerial root attached.

Generated 2026-08-24 23:02 by anthropic (claude-sonnet-5).