Philodendron 'El Choco red' (Philodendron rubrijuvenile)

Philodendron 'El Choco Red' (Philodendron rubrijuvenile)

Philodendron 'El Choco Red' is Philodendron rubrijuvenile, an accepted Philodendron species from Colombia. It is grown for velvety green upper leaf surfaces and red to burgundy tones on juvenile leaf backs, with the strongest colour usually visible while the leaf is young.

The plant grows as a climbing aroid with nodes that can produce aerial roots. A textured support, steady warmth and higher humidity help the stem anchor and allow the leaves to become larger and more defined.

Velvety green leaves with red juvenile backs

• Species and origin: Accepted Philodendron species native to Colombia.
• Foliage: Velvety green upper surfaces with red to burgundy tones on young leaf backs.
• Growth habit: Climbing Philodendron with aerial roots at the stem nodes.
• Growing conditions: Warm, humid conditions and an airy mix help roots stay active and new velvet leaves unfurl cleanly.
• Support response: Leaves usually become larger and more defined when the stem can climb.

Colombian origin of Philodendron rubrijuvenile

Philodendron rubrijuvenile Croat & R.Kaufmann was published in Aroideana 45(1): 214 in 2022 and is accepted as native to Colombia, where it grows primarily in the wet tropical biome. Indoors, keep it in bright filtered light, warm root conditions, higher humidity and a lightly moist, airy substrate.

The velvety blade surface marks more easily than thick glossy Philodendron foliage. Keep water directed into the substrate rather than over the velvet leaves, and let new foliage unfurl without handling. The red underside is a juvenile-growth feature, so individual leaves can soften in colour as they mature.

Warmth, humidity and support for velvet foliage

• Light: Give bright indirect light, around 10,000–20,000 lux; strong direct sun can mark the velvety leaf surface.
• Watering: Water when the upper 30–50% of the mix has dried, then let excess water drain fully.
• Substrate: Use an airy aroid mix with bark, coco chips, perlite or pumice and a modest moisture buffer.
• Pot choice: Use a pot with drainage holes and enough depth or weight to hold the climbing stem and support securely.
• Repotting: Repot when roots fill the pot, the support becomes unstable or the substrate starts breaking down. Move up gradually to keep the root zone airy.
• Humidity: Aim for 60–80% for smoother leaf expansion and better aerial-root activity.
• Temperature: Keep at 18–29°C and protect the plant from temperatures below 15°C.
• Support: Train the stem onto a moss pole, tree-fern-style pole or plank while the internodes are still flexible.
• Feeding: Use a balanced fertiliser at low to moderate strength during active growth.
• Growth rate: Expect moderate climbing growth once the plant is rooted, warm and supported. Supported stems can produce larger leaves over time.
• Placement: Place it where the velvet leaves have room to open without rubbing against glass, walls, shelves or neighbouring plants.
• Semi-hydroponics: This Philodendron can adapt to mineral or semi-hydro substrates if roots are transitioned gradually and the reservoir is kept clean.
• Pruning: Remove yellowing or damaged leaves and trim stretched stems above a node if the plant needs reshaping.
• Propagation: Root stem cuttings with at least one node in warm, humid conditions.

Leaf marks, stalled unfurling and pest checks

• Crispy patches: Check for direct sun, dry root pockets or low humidity around emerging leaves.
• Stalled leaf unfurling: Increase humidity and check that the root ball is not drying too hard between waterings.
• Yellowing lower leaves: Inspect the root zone for cold, wet mix or poor drainage.
• Small new leaves: Check light, support and root health. Undersized growth often appears when the stem cannot climb or the roots are weak.
• Fine speckling or dull patches: Check leaf undersides, petiole bases, cataphylls and new growth for thrips, mites, mealybugs and scale.

Ingestion safety

Philodendron rubrijuvenile is toxic if ingested. It contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, lips, tongue and throat. Keep the plant out of reach of pets and children, and wash hands after pruning or taking cuttings if sap contacts the skin.

Rubrijuvenile and El Choco Red

Philodendron is an Araceae genus whose name comes from Greek roots meaning “tree-loving”, reflecting the climbing or tree-associated habit of many species. The species epithet rubrijuvenile refers to the red colour of immature leaves. The plant circulated as Philodendron sp. 'El Choco Red' before it was described as Philodendron rubrijuvenile.

Choose Philodendron 'El Choco Red' for velvety green leaves and red-toned juvenile leaf backs on a Colombian climbing Philodendron.