The Red King Philodendron, a striking houseplant, captures attention with its vibrant foliage, making it a popular choice for indoor plant enthusiasts. Its unique coloration and relatively straightforward care requirements contribute to its broad appeal.
Meet the Red King Philodendron
The Philodendron ‘Red King’ is a hybrid cultivar known for its dramatic color transformation. New leaves emerge with a bright red or blazing golden-orange hue, gradually transitioning through shades of orange and yellow before maturing into a deeper, glossy green or dark red-orange. Unlike many philodendron varieties that vine, the ‘Red King’ typically exhibits an upright, self-heading, or rosette growth habit, with large leaves growing from a central base. This characteristic makes it suitable for containers and spaces where vining plants might be less ideal. Originating from tropical regions, like many of its philodendron relatives, this plant can reach an approximate height of four feet, gaining both height and width as it matures.
Essential Care for Your Red King Philodendron
Light Requirements
The Red King Philodendron thrives in bright, indirect light, mimicking its natural habitat where it receives filtered sunlight. Placing it too close to a window where it receives harsh, direct sunlight can scorch its leaves, causing them to turn pale or develop yellow spots. Conversely, insufficient light can lead to slowed growth and leggy stems, where the plant stretches excessively towards a light source with fewer leaves. If your space lacks adequate natural light, artificial grow lights can supplement its needs, especially during darker months.
Watering Techniques
The Red King Philodendron prefers its soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root issues. Water thoroughly when the top inch or two of the soil feels dry to the touch. Overwatering can lead to yellowing, soft leaves and root rot, while underwatering may cause leaves to droop, turn yellow, and develop brown edges. Always ensure that the pot has drainage holes and empty any excess water from the saucer to prevent the plant from sitting in standing water.
Ideal Soil Mix
A well-draining, airy, and nutrient-rich potting mix is ideal for the Red King Philodendron. A suitable mix often includes components that promote both drainage and moisture retention. Common ingredients for an aroid mix include potting soil, coco peat, organic manure or vermicompost, charcoal chips, and perlite. This blend allows for good aeration around the roots while providing necessary nutrients and preventing the soil from becoming waterlogged.
Temperature and Humidity Needs
As a tropical plant, the Red King Philodendron prefers warm temperatures, generally thriving between 65-80°F (18-27°C). Temperatures consistently above 68°F (20°C) can encourage faster growth. It is sensitive to extreme cold and sudden temperature fluctuations, so avoid placing it near drafty windows, air conditioning vents, or heating units. High humidity is beneficial for this plant, promoting larger leaves and overall vigor, with levels around 60-70% being optimal. If your indoor environment is dry, consider using a pebble tray filled with water, grouping plants together, or employing a humidifier to increase the ambient moisture.
Fertilization Schedule
During its active growing season in spring and summer, the Red King Philodendron benefits from regular feeding. A balanced liquid fertilizer, such as a 20-20-20 formula, applied once or twice a month at half strength, is generally appropriate. Nitrogen supports leaf growth, phosphorus aids root development, and potassium helps with stress resistance. Reduce or cease fertilization during the colder fall and winter months when the plant’s growth naturally slows down. Always apply fertilizer to moist soil to prevent root burn.
Pruning and Support
Pruning the Red King Philodendron helps maintain its desired shape, manage its size, and promote healthier, bushier growth. You can remove any yellowing, damaged, or leggy stems. While the ‘Red King’ is typically self-heading and does not vine extensively, providing a moss pole or other support can encourage more upright growth and potentially larger leaves, especially if it exhibits any climbing tendencies. Regular wiping of the wide, glossy leaves with a damp cloth also helps keep them clean and supports efficient photosynthesis.
Repotting
Repotting is generally needed every one to two years, or when the plant becomes root-bound, indicated by roots growing out of the drainage holes. Choose a new pot that is only one size larger than the current one to avoid overpotting, which can lead to excess moisture retention and root rot. When repotting, refresh the soil with a suitable well-draining mix to provide new nutrients and adequate space for root expansion. The best time for repotting is typically in mid-spring or when the plant is actively growing.
Multiplying Your Red King Philodendron
Propagating the Red King Philodendron is a straightforward process, primarily achieved through stem cuttings. This method allows you to create new plants from an existing healthy specimen. To begin, select a healthy stem section with at least two to three nodes, which are the small bumps where leaves and roots emerge. Make a clean cut just below a node using a sharp, sterilized cutting tool.
You can place the cutting in a container of water, ensuring at least one node is submerged. Change the water every few days to keep it fresh and prevent bacterial growth. Alternatively, you can plant the cutting directly into a well-draining potting mix. For soil propagation, ensure the node is buried in the moist substrate. Roots typically begin to form within a few weeks, after which the new plant can be cared for as a mature specimen.
Troubleshooting Common Red King Philodendron Problems
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves are a common indicator of underlying issues with the Red King Philodendron. Overwatering is a frequent culprit, as consistently wet soil deprives roots of oxygen and can lead to root rot. Conversely, underwatering can also cause leaves to yellow and wilt. Inadequate light, either too much direct sun or insufficient indirect light, can also result in yellowed or pale foliage. Nutritional deficiencies or over-fertilization are other potential causes.
Brown Tips and Drooping
Brown leaf tips or edges often signal low humidity, a common issue in dry indoor environments, or can indicate underwatering. Drooping leaves may stem from either overwatering or underwatering, as both conditions affect the plant’s ability to absorb and transport water. Extreme temperatures or drafts can also cause leaves to droop. Leggy growth, characterized by long, stretched stems with sparse leaves, typically points to insufficient light, as the plant attempts to reach for more illumination.
Pests and Toxicity
Common pests that can affect Red King Philodendrons include spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and scale insects. Spider mites may present as tiny dots or fine webbing, particularly on the undersides of leaves. Mealybugs appear as cotton-like masses, while scale insects look like small, brownish bumps. These pests feed on plant sap, causing yellowing, distorted growth, or general decline. Regular inspection and prompt treatment with horticultural oils like neem oil or insecticidal soap can help manage infestations. All parts of the Philodendron ‘Red King’ contain calcium oxalate crystals, making them toxic if ingested by humans or pets. Symptoms can include oral irritation, pain, swelling, and digestive upset. Keep the plant out of reach of children and animals.