The Philodendron erubescens, often known as the “Red Brown Philodendron” or “Blushing Philodendron,” is a popular houseplant celebrated for its striking foliage and adaptable nature. Its relatively straightforward care requirements make it a favored choice for both novice and experienced gardeners.
Identifying the Red Brown Philodendron
The Red Brown Philodendron possesses distinct visual characteristics. Its stems often exhibit a reddish-brown or purplish-red hue. New leaves emerge with a reddish or coppery tint, gradually maturing into a deep, glossy green. The underside of these mature leaves often retains a reddish or burgundy coloration, contributing to its “blushing” common name.
The leaves are typically heart-shaped or arrowhead-shaped, and can grow quite large, sometimes reaching up to 16 inches in length. This philodendron exhibits a climbing or vining growth habit, often developing aerial roots that can cling to surfaces or absorb nutrients from the air.
Essential Care for Your Red Brown Philodendron
Light Needs
The Red Brown Philodendron thrives in bright, indirect light. Placing it near an east-facing window is ideal, as it provides morning light without direct afternoon sun. Direct sunlight can scorch the plant’s leaves, leading to discoloration or damage. Insufficient light can result in leggy growth and diminish the vibrant coloration of its leaves.
Watering Practices
Water the plant when the top inch or two of the soil feels dry to the touch. Overwatering can lead to root rot, causing leaves to yellow. While it can tolerate short periods of dryness, consistent underwatering can cause wilting and browning of leaf tips. Ensuring the pot has adequate drainage holes helps prevent water from accumulating.
Soil Requirements
A well-draining, airy, and nutrient-rich potting mix is suitable. Ideal components include peat moss or coco coir, perlite, and pine bark. The plant prefers a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH, ranging between 5.8 and 7.5.
Temperature and Humidity
This tropical plant flourishes in warm, humid environments. An ideal temperature range is between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C). Avoiding sudden temperature drops or cold drafts is advisable. To provide high humidity (around 50-60%), mist the leaves regularly, place the plant on a pebble tray, or use a humidifier.
Fertilizing
During the active growing season (spring and summer), the Red Brown Philodendron benefits from regular fertilization. A balanced liquid fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) can be applied once or twice a month. Dilute the fertilizer to half strength to prevent over-fertilization. During fall and winter, reduce or cease fertilizing.
Pruning and Support
Pruning helps maintain shape and encourages bushier growth. Remove any yellowed or damaged leaves. Pruning can be done in spring or fall using sharp, sterile shears. Due to its vining nature, providing a moss pole or trellis encourages upward growth. Gently tying the main vine to the support trains it to climb.
Propagating Red Brown Philodendron
Propagate the Red Brown Philodendron through stem cuttings. Select a healthy stem section with at least two nodes. Cut a 4-6 inch piece from the stem, ensuring it includes a node. Remove leaves from the bottom, leaving a few at the top.
Root the cutting in water or a well-draining potting mix. If rooting in water, submerge the node(s) and change the water every few days. If using soil, plant the cutting, ensuring at least one node is buried. Place the cutting in a warm spot with bright, indirect light, and keep the rooting medium consistently moist until new roots and growth appear, typically within a few weeks.
Common Issues and Solutions
Yellowing leaves on a Red Brown Philodendron can often indicate overwatering, where the soil remains too wet, potentially leading to root rot. Conversely, yellowing can also occur from too much direct sunlight. Adjusting watering habits or relocating the plant to a shadier spot can help resolve this.
Brown leaf tips or edges are frequently a sign of low humidity or underwatering. Increasing the humidity around the plant through misting or using a pebble tray, and ensuring consistent moisture in the soil, can alleviate this issue. Loss of the characteristic reddish coloration on new leaves often points to insufficient light exposure, as the plant needs adequate light to develop its vibrant hues. Moving the plant to a brighter location with indirect light can restore its color.
Common houseplant pests such as spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and whiteflies can affect philodendrons. Regularly inspecting your plant for signs of pests is beneficial. Treatment often involves wiping affected areas with a damp cloth, applying insecticidal soap, or using neem oil according to product instructions. Leggy growth, characterized by long, sparse stems with few leaves, is typically a result of insufficient light. Providing more bright, indirect light and pruning back the leggy stems can encourage a bushier, more compact growth habit.