If you like plants that grow multi-color foliage then choose Philodendron Cherry Red. It is a philodendron that grows green leaves, lime-yellow and red leaves.
This is a short-height plant and you can easily make it a tabletop. Semi-shade is necessary to maintain sunburn protection.
The best part is you can grow it even in the absence of natural light. Normal fluorescent light is enough for this plant.
Average humidity and moderate watering help cherry red philodendrons to grow shining fresh leaves.
About Philodendron Cherry Red
Philodendron Red Cherry is a hybrid philodendron. It can easily adapt to an indoor growing environment.
It grows 8 to 10 inches long heart-shaped leaves. In the initial stage, it grows green leaves and as they mature, they turn bright red.
Glossy thick leaves are its real beauty, do not expect flowers from this plant.
This philodendron also grows ariel roots. These roots help it to climb on structures. I am using a bamboo stick for support.
This encourages plants to grow taller.
For the good health of your plant expose it to bright filtered light during the day. Let it sleep at night in dark and turn off the lights of grow room.
The next important growth factor is moist soil. keep the soil well moist but avoid overwatering your plant.
Also, take care of humidity and use a hygrometer to measure it at a particular time.
Below is the process that helps you to grow and care for your Red Cherry Philodendron.
Philodendron Cherry Red Care:
Light Needs
Cherry Red Philodendron needs filtered light for 7 to 8 hours per day. Keep the light in between 250 to 400 FC for its good health.
I use a light meter to find the best place for my houseplants.
It is a one-time investment and you can use this device on all plants.
Do not place it in direct sunlight. Because its leaf tissues are soft and sunlight can shrink them. As a result, your plant grows small size leaves.
Leaf burning and leaf redness is also linked to sunlight.
Watering Philodendron Cherry Red
Water your Cherry Philodendron after checking the potting soil. In the summer season, it needs more water likely once in 7 days.
In the winter season once in 20 days or after checking the soil moisture.
To check soil condition, use a soil moisture meter and measure the reading in digital mode.
Then use fresh water that does not contain chlorine for watering. Chlorine is harmful to philodendron roots.
It blocks the pores of roots and they become unable to absorb water and nutrients from the soil.
This makes your plant weak and nutrient deficient.
Such plants are easy targets of pests and bacterial diseases.
Potting Soil
Philodendron Soil is the lifeline of these plants. Philodendron Cherry Red needs moist soil that also drains the water in a few minutes.
This type of soil is easily available in tropical jungles.
But you can’t go there just for a bag of soil. The good news is by mixing different ingredients you can make such soil at home.
I use 60% potting soil + 20% perlite + 10 Vermiculite + 10% orchid bards. I use this potting mix for my Philodendron Sodiroi, Philodendron Xanadu, and Philodendron Erubescens Red Emerald.
If you don’t have these ingredients at home. Then go for commercial potting mixes and choose one that contains these ingredients.
Any potting mix that is designed for tropical plants is best to use for this philodendron.
Temperature
Like other tropical plants, it needs a warm temperature. Keep your grow room temperature between 60 to 85 degrees F.
This is the best temperature range for philodendrons. You can maintain this temperature in summer and spring.
The problem comes in the winter season. When the temperature goes to minus.
At this time place a thick mat under the plant pot and cover it with a warm cloth. Do not block the air circulation.
Also, don’t move it near the heat vents. Because the artificial hot air is damaging to the plant. It will result in dehydrated philodendron.
Humidity
High humidity above 45% is necessary to maintain. On low-humid days use a pebble-tray method
Or
Simply turn ON a humidifier.
Do not mist water on this philodendron. Because its leaves can get infected by fungal bacteria.
There are some plants that are hard and misting water on their leaves does not harm.
In this case, warm weather and wet leaves = leaf bacterial disease.
This disease is a fungal infection. It can eat up your entire plant in a few days. The only solution is copper-based fungicides.
Fertilizing Philodendron Cherry Red
The active season of Philodendron Cherry Red is the best time for fertilizing it. I am using general houseplant liquid fertilizer for my Cherry Philodendrona and Philodendron Pastazanum.
It is less expensive and contains all the nutrients that a philodendron needs to grow.
Use it once in 20 days only in summer and spring. Stop feeding in the winter season.
If possible, add compost tea to your plant pot. It acts like a miracle on houseplants.
Dilute the liquid solution as per the instructions before feeding your plant. keep in mind that overuse of fertilizer is harmful to plants.
It will not make any difference in the size and appearance of your plant. Overfeeding can kill your plant in a few days.
Pruning
Pruning is not required for Philodendron Cherry Red. It is a short-height plant and short plants do not need it.
But for the good health of your plant trim the yellow dying leaves. Do not wait for them to fall off the plant. Once you see a yellow leaf immediately cut it from the plant.
Yellow leaves will never turn green again. By cutting them you are saving the energy of your plant. with this saved glucose your philodendron can grow some new leaves at a faster rate.
Repotting
Repotting is not required until the potting soil become infertile. Over a time period, the soil mix loses its nutritional value.
In this case, it will take 400 days to become less fertile.
In short, repot your plant after 365 days. Use a fresh bag of soil, you can also change the plant pot and use the latest fancy pot.
Repotting Process:
- Water your plant a day before repotting to prevent repotting stress.
- Gently tap around the plant pot and lose the soil with a sharp tool.
- Unpot your plant and wash its roots with fresh water.
- Take the pot and add fresh soil and plant your Philo in it.
- Give some water to add moisture to the soil.
- Move it back into its place and you are done with repotting the Cherry red philodendron.
Toxicity
Red Cherry Philodendron is toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and humans. Therefore, grow it away from the reach of your pets.
Use gloves for trimming your plant. Contact with its sap can cause toxicity, skin redness, and irritation on sensitive skin.
Ingestion of its leaves results in toxicity. Immediately seek medical help.
Philodendron Cherry Red Propagation
- Select a healthy stem with a few leaves on the top.
- It makes a clean cut right under the leaf node.
- Dip the 5 inches long cutting in rooting hormone.
- Take a glass jar and add filtered water to it.
- Put the cutting in it and make sure the leaves stay above the water level.
- You need 1 to 2 leaves at the top, cut the bottom leaves.
- Store the glass jar in a humid and warm place.
- Regularly change the water in the glass jar.
- Transfer the cutting to potting soil when the new roots grow 1 inch long.
Troubleshooting
There are some common problems with this plant. If you give proper care and attention to your plant. You will never face them.
But due to busy schedules and negligence philodendrons often get infected.
Below are those issues with treatment and prevention.
Pests
Suppose you see tiny insects on your plant. This means your plant is under a pest attack. In this condition, act quickly to save its life.
Buy a pest-killing soap and rinse your plant with it.
Keep it separate until you see new growth in your plant.
To prevent pests spray neem oil on your plant. Use it once in 15 days. Use a damp cloth once a week and clean your plant leaves and plant pot.
Brown Leaves
Leaves turning brown from tips indicate a lack of water in the soil or lack of moisture in the air. Check both conditions.
Mostly it is low humidity and to increase it use a plant humidifier. It is a humidifier designed for plants.
It is portable and less expensive than a normal home humidifier.
The Pebble tray technique is also useful on low-humid days. But it is not a quick and reliable solution when plants are suffering from low humidity.
Their life is at risk.
Weak Plant
In 90% of the cases, weakness in plants is caused by less fertile soil. Add sufficient nutrients to the soil by adding organic ingredients to the potting mix.
Or
Use plant supplements to give a nutritional boost to your young and old plants.
Within a few days, the pale green leaves will gain their true color and shine.
Conclusion
This hybrid philodendron is easy to grow and maintain. It needs less water, humidity, and fertilizers. Repot it on time to keep it thriving.
Grow it in an airy room at a bright spot. Neem oil is recommended to prevent fungal disease and insects.
