Blushing Philodendron sports glossy, heart-shaped leaves along wine-colored stems, making it special among houseplants. Although mostly hidden by abundant foliage, the vivid red stems are attention-grabbing. The simple care and unpretentious manners of this tropical plant make it a pleasant addition to your indoor garden and will delight you for many years.
In this comprehensive Blushing Philodendron care guide, we will tell you how to care for Philodendron erubescens in detail. You’ll learn everything needed to keep your plant healthy, thriving, and living with you for many years to come.
What Is Blushing Philodendron Erubescens? Understanding This Tropical Houseplant
Philodendron erubescens belongs to the Philodendron genus and the Araceae family. Natively, it’s from the rainforests of Central and South America, where it thrives in warm, humid conditions. What’s unique about Philodendron erubescens?
It’s an evergreen climber. Like many popular indoor plants from this tropical tree-climbing family, this Philodendron is eager to move upward.
This fast grower can grow up to 60 feet tall in its natural habitat and can become fully epiphytic if it loses contact with the soil. In nature, the Blushing Philodendron uses its aerial roots to climb trees and reach brighter light in the rainforest canopy.
Philodendron erubescens is a warm weather plant that is well-suited to indoor conditions. Mature plants as houseplants develop leaves that reach up to 40 cm long and 20 cm wide. The entire plant reaches up to 1.8 meters in height after several years indoors and it lives for 10 years or more with proper Blushing Philodendron care!
Popular Blushing Philodendron Varieties and Cultivars
These lovely hybrids were created to diversify such a simple yet sophisticated houseplant. Each variety offers unique coloration and characteristics while maintaining easy care requirements.
“Red Emerald” Philodendron erubescens “Red Emerald” is a lovely cultivar that has dark green leaves that turn red and then green again. And its stems are red vine colored, creating a stunning contrast against the foliage.
“Burgundy” is a wonderful variety that has a red blush on its green leaves with burgundy undersides and stems. This species blooms in the spring and summer for a few days at a time with deep red flowers.
“Pink Princess” is a highly sought-after plant variety that features stunning soft pink variegation on dark green leaves. This rare cultivar has become extremely popular among houseplant collectors.
Complete Blushing Philodendron Care Guide: Essential Tips for Success
How to take care of red philodendron? Blushing Philodendron care isn’t difficult when you understand its basic needs. Let’s explore the main aspects of caring for this beautiful tropical plant. Indoor Plant Care becomes easier when you provide consistent attention and proper growing conditions.
Watering Requirements for Blushing Philodendron
One of the most important aspects of Blushing Philodendron care is proper watering. Inspect the soil with your finger before watering. When the top inch of the soil dries, water your Philodendron thoroughly until water drains from the bottom. Remember! Overwatering is a leading cause of indoor plant death by root rot. When in doubt, underwater rather than over water. Make sure to always use room-temperature water for your tropical houseplants because cold water is a shock to them.
Light Requirements for Optimal Philodendron Growth
Philodendron erubescens feels comfortable in both bright indirect light and low ambient light conditions. It also adapts well to artificial light sources. Bright indirect sunlight or filtered light will help produce plenty of large leaves that maintain their vibrant color. The most important thing is not to expose the plant to direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves. You can even take it outside into the yard, onto the apartment balcony or veranda, and move it from room to room for variety. Just make sure the sun doesn’t bake your philodendron’s leaves.
Ideal Temperature Range for Blushing Philodendron
Keep this tropical plant warm all year round as philodendron prefers consistent warm temperatures. For the best results, maintain temperatures between 70 to 80 degrees F during the day and 60 to 70 degrees F at night. These temperature ranges mimic the plant’s natural tropical environment. Remember! Don’t expose your houseplants to cold blasts from an entryway or set them near a heat or AC vent.
Best Soil Mix for Blushing Philodendron Plants
Loose, well-draining soil is essential for healthy Philodendron growth. The best solution would be a peat moss-based potting soil mixture with perlite added for quick drainage and aeration. It is very important not to allow excessive amounts of water to sit in the pot, as this will lead to root rot and potentially the death of the plant.
Fertilizing Schedule and Best Practices
It is better to fertilize the Philodendron plant in spring or early summer and stop fertilizing in fall and winter when the plant slows down its growth processes. Use any balanced powder or liquid fertilizer with trace elements for indoor plants once a month during the growing season. To avoid fertilizer burn and ensure healthy growth, always fertilize Blushing Philodendron according to package instructions.
