Philodendron ‘Caramel Pluto’ (‘Chocolate Empress’, ‘Pluto’)

Pluto before the Caramel Pluto name

Collectors were growing Pluto in the 1970s. By the late 1980s, nurseries were widely propagating it through tissue culture. This made Pluto one of the earlier Philodendron cultivars produced commercially in large numbers by this method.

The names Caramel Pluto and Chocolate Empress appeared later for warm-coloured plants in this horticultural group.

Care for self-heading aroid roots and foliage

• Changing plant shape: Give the broad crown room for its long leaf stalks. Add discreet support if it can no longer remain upright.
• Bronze and chocolate leaves: Strong diffuse light favours compact growth. Fresh colour naturally becomes greener as each leaf matures.
• Large root ball: Allow the upper substrate to dry slightly before watering deeply. A durable open mix lets air return promptly after drainage.
• Cold sensitivity and feeding: Keep the plant warm, especially while the pot is wet, and protect it from prolonged chilling. Gentle air movement and a light feed during active growth suit the dense crown.
• More space or a new plant: Repot when roots leave little free space or the heavy crown makes the pot unstable. Basal division or a piece of stem carrying a live bud can produce another Caramel Pluto.

Troubleshooting Philodendron ‘Caramel Pluto’ (‘Chocolate Empress’, ‘Pluto’): normal changes and damage

• Caramel leaves become green: A whole new leaf may open bronze, chocolate or brown-red and turn green as it hardens. Random yellowing, a sharply bleached patch or a soft spot falls outside this normal age sequence.
• Rapid tissue collapse: Cold damage and infection can both look water-soaked. Move the Philodendron ‘Caramel Pluto’ away from other plants, dry the crown and mark the edge. If the damage spreads quickly, smells unpleasant or enters the stem, avoid taking cuttings until the cause has been identified.
• Drooping from the roots: Probe the large root ball for a dry centre, uneven moisture or long saturation. Firm roots may be naturally stained. Remove roots that have become soft or shed their outer tissue, then replace dense, stale mix.
• Problems hidden in the crown: Examine broad petiole bases, the newest rolled leaf and dry sheath pockets. Remove loose debris and treat a confirmed pest throughout these sheltered areas as well as the visible leaf surfaces.
• Lightly serrated edges: Small regular teeth belong to the plant. Fresh uneven bites, frass or slime indicate chewing; fine stippling, webbing or silver scars suggest mites or thrips.

Philodendron ‘Caramel Pluto’ (‘Chocolate Empress’, ‘Pluto’) is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

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.