Red Emerald Philodendron Care Tips & Growing Guide 2023!

Large houseplants add life and positive energy to any home, and the red emerald philodendron is no exception. Red Emerald Philodendron is a great choice for those who want to add a touch of greenery to their indoor spaces, as it is known for its striking foliage and air-purifying properties. Growing one of these plants in your home is simple, though there are some basic care guidelines to follow if you want to see this plant blossom to great heights. 

What Is A Red Emerald Philodendron?

The red emerald philodendron is a hybrid vining plant with a mixture of flowers and green leaves. It hails from Costa Rica and Colombia, and is known to become quite large as it continues to grow. Given its origins, this plant is a big fan of water and warm temperatures. 

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While the plant adds elegance to any home, it also helps to purify the air. Its purification properties don’t lend themselves to consumption, however. This plant is toxic when ingested by humans and pets, so it’s important to consider where you place it should you have pets that enjoy munching on your plants. 

Origin And Classification 

The red emerald philodendron originated deep within the rainforests of Colombia and Costa Rica. This plant belongs to the Philodendron erubescens family, also known as the Philodendron Peperomia. This classification of plant also belongs to the Araceae family. 

Features Of Red Emerald Philodendron

There are distinct features of the red emerald philodendron, helping one to easily distinguish between other plants of the same classification. 

1. Growth Habit

Similar to common philodendron species, the red emerald philodendron has a climbing habit. With their aerial roots, these plants attach themselves to trellises to maintain balance indoors. 

For plant enthusiasts who love training plants to climb on moss poles, the red emerald philodendron is a great choice. Under favorable conditions, these philodendron species grow fast. They can also produce gorgeous foliage consistently throughout the year. 

2. Leaf Shape and Colour

One of the unique characteristics of the red emerald philodendron is its glossy, heart-shaped leaves. With proper care and attention, the leaves of this plant can grow up to 6–12 inches long. 

As its name suggests, this philodendron plant produces deep red or burgundy leaves. New leaves usually have a red color, while mature leaves are mostly green. 

3. Air Purification

Surprisingly, the red emerald philodendrons can help purify the air. Cleaning products, furniture, paint, and other household items tend to release volatile organic compounds into the environment. Exposure to these compounds over a long period of time can cause health-related issues. 

Using its large leaves, this Philodendron plant helps to remove these compounds from the atmosphere. Additionally, the red emerald philodendron releases oxygen into the air during photosynthesis. This can make your indoor environment cooler and healthier. 

4. Low Maintenance

Generally, philodendrons are easy to maintain, and the red emerald philodendron is no exception. Despite its impressive qualities, the Philodendron species can tolerate a little neglect. Many plant lovers with busy schedules prefer this houseplant to the others. 

All you have to do is water the plant moderately to keep its soil moist. Keep it in a place with bright, indirect sunlight, and you’re good to go. Additionally, maintain the right temperature and humidity levels and apply fertilizers when necessary. 

Basic Care Of Red Emerald Philodendron

As beautiful and expansive as this plant becomes as it grows, it’s not an overly difficult plant to take care of. 

Your red emerald philodendron is going to want water once or twice a week. Be sure not to neglect this; write it down in a calendar or set a reminder on your phone if you tend to forget your watering schedule for your plants. 

This particular plant isn’t fond of the cold, so it should live in an area of your home that often sits between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. 

The soil you choose needs to be one that will adequately drain excess water so it doesn’t get caught in your plant. Additionally, you want soil that will stay moist enough for your plant to get enough water before it starts to drain out. 

This philodendron likes the sun, but it shouldn’t be placed directly in the sun. Consider setting it on the opposite side of a window near one end, so that it gets a mixture of sunlight and shade when needed. 

Your plant is going to need diluted fertilizer once every month. Using the right kind of fertilizer is essential to growing a healthy plant. 

How To Propagate Red Emerald Philodendron

You can propagate your red emerald philodendron if you want to share its beauty with others or grow a second plant, but be sure to follow the right steps to do so properly. 

Find a portion of your red emerald philodendron that can be cut easily. This portion of your plant needs to have two nodes on it, or else it won’t grow in a new pot. 

Cut the appropriate section of your philodendron with clean pruning scissors. Ensuring they are clean without using harsh chemicals will ensure the plant and the clipping you take don’t get impacted. 

Let the clipping sit in water until roots start to form out of the nodes. You will likely have to keep the clipping in water for several weeks or a couple of months before this happens. 

Prepare a pot with soil that drains very well, and plant your clipping in it when the roots grow a few inches long and have a solid amount of water. 

Common Problems In Caring For Red Emerald Philodendron

It can be a learning curve when caring for a new plant, so knowing some of the common problems in caring for your plant is an excellent way to try and avoid harming your new addition. 

Some people forget to prune their red emerald philodendron occasionally. This not only helps it remain beautiful, but it ensures the water and nutrients move throughout the plant properly. When leaves go yellow, it’s time to cut them off. 

Overwatering plants can be detrimental to the health and growth of many plants, and the red emerald philodendron is no exception. Tracking your waterings can easily help you avoid this mistake. 

Red emerald philodendrons grow tall, so having something for them to encourage their growth upwards is important. A moss pole is a great way to encourage this so that your leaves don’t droop under their own weight. 

Outro 

It’s evident that a red emerald philodendron is a perfect plant for those who want low maintenance foliage in their homes. However, skimping on basic care isn’t ideal if you want to keep this luscious plant growing large for years to come. 

Frequently Asked Questions