Philodendron ‘Congo Rojo’

Origin and background of Philodendron ‘Congo Rojo’

The patented cultivar ‘Rojo Congo’, widely traded under the reversed name ‘Congo Rojo’, was bred in Altha, Florida, from a 1995 cross between ‘Imperial Red’ as the female parent and an unnamed selection of Philodendron tatei subsp. melanochlorum as the male parent. ‘Rojo Congo’ was selected in 1996, and tissue-culture propagation began in 1998. ‘Rojo Congo’ is a cultivated hybrid with no wild native range.

Caring for Philodendron ‘Congo Rojo’

• Pot and space: Use a stable, freely draining container and provide horizontal room for the outward-reaching leaves.
• Light: Supply medium to bright filtered light and acclimate the plant gradually before any direct sun.
• Water: Let part of the mix dry, then water completely and allow all excess to drain.
• Substrate: Choose an airy, stable, free-draining mix.
• Temperature: Maintain warmth and protect the plant from cold draughts.
• Feeding: Apply a conservative dose of suitable fertiliser during active growth according to the label.
• Leaf care: Wipe the foliage and inspect leaf undersides, sheaths, and new growth periodically.

Changes to watch and how to respond

• An unfurling leaf is brown, maroon and green: Warm colour on the new leaf, its underside or its purple-brown petiole is normal cultivar pigmentation. Let it harden and compare it with older healthy foliage.
• Lower or inner leaves yellow while the plant wilts in wet media: Excess moisture or root rot is plausible. Stop calendar-based watering, check drainage and inspect the roots. If they are dark and soft, remove the rotten parts and repot in clean, airy media.
• A pale, bleached patch follows a move into stronger sun: Sunburn is plausible. Return the plant to filtered light and acclimate it gradually to future changes. The damaged patch is permanent, but later leaves can be protected.
• New growth has irregular silvery scars and dark specks: Thrips are plausible. Isolate the plant, inspect the sheaths and unfurling leaves, rinse it, remove badly affected parts and use a labelled treatment if necessary.
• Fine stippling and silk appear beneath the leaves: Spider mites are plausible. Isolate the plant, inspect and rinse it thoroughly, then monitor repeatedly and use a labelled treatment if necessary.
• Brown or watery lesions keep expanding: Bacterial or fungal leaf spot is possible, although physical injury and sun damage can look similar. Keep the foliage dry, remove severely affected tissue with clean tools and improve airflow. Isolate the plant if the lesions spread, and seek a diagnosis before using a chemical treatment.

Philodendron ‘Congo Rojo’ 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.

Who first published Philodendron, and what does the name mean?

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.