Philodendron ‘Black Cardinal’

The Florida breeding origin of Philodendron ‘Black Cardinal’

Cora McColley selected Philodendron ‘Black Cardinal’ from self-pollinated hybrid seedlings in the Bamboo Nursery programme in Florida. Its complex ancestry includes Philodendron wendlandii, P. hastatum, P. erubescens, P. imbe and P. fragrantissimum. The cultivar was established by the mid-1980s.

Care for self-heading aroid roots and foliage

• Water and drainage: The thick leaves buffer a brief dry spell. Water after the upper mix feels lightly dry and empty the saucer or outer pot.
• Light for dark leaves: Philodendron ‘Black Cardinal’ can grow in moderate light, although brighter filtered light gives the crown more active, even growth. Its near-black mature shade is a normal cultivar feature.
• Repotting: This low self-heading plant needs no pole. Repot when roots press around the pot walls or the broad crown becomes top-heavy.
• Taking cuttings: Basal divisions or a stem piece with a live bud can produce a new Black Cardinal. The crowded stem can make the correct cutting point difficult to reach.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Philodendron ‘Black Cardinal’

• Dark leaves hide damage: Brick-red new foliage, red-black mature leaves, depressed veins and a gently uneven surface are normal. Use bright reflected light to find black thrips deposits, scale or early dead tissue against the dark blade.
• Problems in the central whorl: Water and dry debris can collect between the close petiole bases. Remove only loose material, keep the centre from remaining wet and inspect the next rolled leaf without forcing it open.
• Spots that enlarge: Dry physical scars stay visible but stable. Wet haloes, soft margins or fast spread call for separation from other plants, dry foliage and clean tools. If softness reaches the central crown, avoid propagation and have the cause identified before treatment.
• Drooping leaves: Both a dry root ball and a saturated one can cause loss of firmness. Check deeper moisture before watering. Soft, unpleasant-smelling roots or decay entering the short stem require removal of dead tissue and fresh, open potting mix.
• Bronzing or stippling: Mites and eggs are usually easiest to find beneath the leaf, sometimes with webbing. Thrips produce pale metallic trails accompanied by dark deposits. Once identified, treat both surfaces and the sheltered crown with a product suitable for that pest.

Philodendron ‘Black Cardinal’ contains substances toxic to people and pets

• This plant is toxic to humans, cats and dogs if ingested.
• Leaves and stems contain needle-like, insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing can cause immediate burning mouth pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian after pet exposure or a medical professional after human exposure, especially if swelling or breathing trouble occurs.

How did Philodendron get its name?

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.”

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Philodendron in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 780.