Light
Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux













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Quick Care Guide
Light
Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux
Watering
Water when ~30–50% dry
Substrate
Airy + fast-draining • Light moisture buffer • Bark-based • Medium-chunky
Temperature
Ideal: 18–29 °C • Avoid below: 15 °C
Humidity
Humid 60–80 % +
Growth habit
Climbing hemiepiphytic herbaceous perennial.
Support
recommended
Growth speed
High
Max size indoors
Max. height with support: 250 cm • Max. spread: 100 cm
Toxicity & safety
Toxic
Origin & habitat
Cultivar of Philodendron rubrijuvenile; species native to Colombia
Outdoor growing
Outside from 15 °C · sheltered spot
These care values are quick reference points for indoor growing. Use them as a guide, then adjust for pot size, substrate, temperature and how quickly the substrate dries.
For more detail, read the full product description or visit our Plant Care Guides.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Plant names, growth habits, natural habitats and indoor care guidance are checked against trusted botanical, habitat and horticultural references before publication.View our plant care resources and references.