Philodendron ‘Cherry Red’

Name and origin of Philodendron ‘Cherry Red’

‘Cherry Red’ was an earlier industry name for the patented cultivar ‘McColley’s Finale’ and is also used more broadly in the nursery trade today.

‘McColley’s Finale’ came from the McColley breeding programme in Florida. Cora McColley selected the seedling from Robert McColley’s programme; its complex parentage remains unknown. The patent was filed in 1999 and granted in 2001. It is a cultivated hybrid and exists only in cultivation.

Care for Philodendron ‘Cherry Red’

• Pot and space: Choose a stable, freely draining pot with room for the rosette to widen, and keep the central growing point unobstructed.
• Leaf care: Wipe the leaves periodically and keep the foliage, leaf bases and new growth clean.
• Light: Give the plant bright filtered light and introduce any direct sun gradually.
• Water: Allow part of the mix to dry, then water thoroughly and let the excess drain.
• Potting mix: Use a loose, airy mix that balances drainage with even moisture.
• Temperature: For steady growth, hold temperatures near 18–29 °C and avoid prolonged conditions below 15 °C.
• Humidity: Aim for 50–60% humidity.
• Feeding: Feed conservatively during active growth.
• Repotting: Repot when roots fill the container or replace the mix if it has broken down and drains slowly. Use a slightly larger pot only when the roots need more room, and keep the container stable.
• Propagation: Separate a rooted basal shoot when available, or take a healthy stem section with a node.

Problems to watch for on ‘Cherry Red’

• A red centre leaf becomes greener: A new leaf may be cherry, chestnut, burgundy or dark red before it matures to green. Let it harden and compare it with older leaves; this colour change is normal.
• Lower leaves yellow while the mix stays wet: Pause watering and check drainage. When wilting or yellowing persists while the root ball stays wet, inspect the roots. When the roots are firm and drainage is sound, wait for the upper mix to reach the normal dry cue before watering again. Use fresh airy mix if the old medium has collapsed or no longer drains freely. Remove dark, soft roots if rot is confirmed and repot the remaining firm roots in clean airy mix. If the central stem or crown is soft, isolate the plant and retain only firm healthy tissue. Discard it if no firm healthy tissue remains.
• The crown turns water-soaked or soft: Foul-smelling, water-soaked or rapidly softening crown tissue may be bacterial soft rot. Isolate the plant, keep the crown dry, remove affected tissue with sanitised tools and obtain a prompt diagnosis. Discard tissue that is soft throughout and cannot be cut back to a firm healthy section.
• A pale or brown patch follows stronger sun: A dry bleached or brown patch after stronger exposure is consistent with sun or heat injury. Return the plant to filtered light and acclimate it gradually; the existing damaged area is permanent. If the patch is wet or spreading, separate the plant from others and have the cause identified.
• A young centre leaf is silvered or distorted: Silvery scarring, dark specks or a distorted unfurling leaf can indicate thrips. Isolate the plant, inspect the centre, sheaths and leaf undersides, rinse or clean it, and use a treatment labelled for thrips if they are confirmed.
• Cottony or raised pests gather at petiole bases: Check for attached insects, removable shells or cottony material and sticky residue. Naturally dark sheath tissue belongs to the plant. If pests are present, isolate the plant, clean or remove them where practical, and repeat a treatment labelled for the confirmed pest as directed.
• Leaf spots expand away from the crown: Bacterial or fungal leaf spot is possible, although sun, cold or physical injury can look similar. Keep the foliage dry and improve airflow. Isolate the plant if spots are wet or spreading, remove severely affected tissue with clean tools and obtain a diagnosis before chemical use.

Philodendron ‘Cherry Red’ 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.

Where does the name Philodendron come from?

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.