Philodendron ‘Congo Rojo’

Breeding and parentage 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 that exists only in cultivation.

Caring for Philodendron ‘Congo Rojo’

• Pot and space: Use a stable, freely draining container and provide horizontal room for the outward-reaching leaves.
• Leaf care: Wipe the foliage and inspect leaf undersides, sheaths and new growth periodically.
• 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 let the excess drain.
• Potting mix: Choose an airy, stable, free-draining mix.
• Temperature: Provide steady warmth around 18–29 °C and keep it out of conditions that remain below 15 °C.
• Humidity: About 50–60% relative humidity supports steady growth; pair it with light airflow.
• Feeding: Apply a light dose of suitable fertiliser during active growth.
• Repotting: Increase pot size modestly when the root system has filled the current container. Check slow drainage and replace degraded mix in a pot that fits the roots. If the plant is unstable, steady it with a heavier container without increasing soil volume unless the roots need more room.
• Propagation options: Use a rooted basal shoot or a stem section with an active node.

Changes and problems in Philodendron ‘Congo Rojo’

• 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: Pause watering and check drainage. A root inspection is warranted if the plant keeps wilting or yellowing while the root ball stays wet. Leave firm roots in place when drainage is sound and wait for the upper mix to reach the usual dry cue before watering again. Repot if the medium is compacted or slow to drain. Remove dark, soft roots if rot is confirmed and repot the remaining firm roots in fresh airy mix. If the stem or crown has softened, isolate the plant and retain only firm healthy tissue. Discard the plant if no firm healthy tissue remains.
• A pale, bleached patch follows stronger sun: A dry pale patch after stronger exposure is consistent with sun or heat injury. Return the plant to filtered light and acclimate it gradually to future changes. The damaged patch is permanent. A wet or enlarging patch should be isolated from other plants and assessed for its cause.
• New growth has irregular silvery scars and dark specks: Thrips are possible. Isolate the plant, inspect the sheaths and unfurling leaves, rinse or clean it, remove badly affected parts and use a treatment labelled for thrips if they are confirmed.
• Fine stippling and webbing appear beneath the leaves: Spider mites are possible. Isolate the plant, inspect and rinse it thoroughly, then monitor repeatedly and use a treatment labelled for mites if they are confirmed.
• Brown or watery lesions keep expanding: Bacterial or fungal leaf spot is possible, although physical injury can look similar. Keep the foliage dry and improve airflow. Isolate the plant if lesions are wet or spreading, remove severely affected tissue with clean tools and obtain a diagnosis before 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.