Philodendron ‘El Choco Red’ (Philodendron rubrijuvenile)

Cultivated identity and natural origin of Philodendron ‘El Choco Red’ (Philodendron rubrijuvenile)

‘El Choco Red’ is the cultivated name associated with Philodendron rubrijuvenile, a species from Colombia’s wet tropics. Its exact wild locality remains unknown.

Care for Philodendron ‘El Choco Red’ (Philodendron rubrijuvenile)

• Support: Give the climbing stem a pole, plank or similar vertical support. Secure it gently without crushing the leaf stalks.
• Humidity and airflow: Aim for a humid 60–80% range, paired with gentle circulation around the foliage. Protect it from very dry heated air and avoid leaving the foliage persistently wet.
• Light: Bright filtered or indirect light suits the foliage. Protect it from sudden strong sun and let the plant adjust gradually to changes in light exposure.
• Water: Water thoroughly after the upper layer begins to dry, then drain the container fully.
• Potting mix: Use a free-draining aroid mix that retains some moisture and leaves air around the roots.
• Temperature: Maintain roughly 18–29 °C. Move the plant away from cold sources as temperatures approach 15 °C. Protect the plant from cold draughts and abrupt temperature changes.
• Feeding: Apply fertiliser at a moderate dose while the plant is actively growing.
• Repotting: Move it up one pot size once the root ball is clearly crowded. Keep the climbing support secure and stabilise the pot if the plant becomes unbalanced.
• Propagation: Use a healthy stem section with at least one node; an aerial root on that node can help it establish.

Changes and problems in Philodendron ‘El Choco Red’

• A young leaf has a crimson underside that becomes greener later: This is normal age-related development. No treatment is needed; compare leaves at different ages.
• New growth opens dark red or burgundy: This can be normal juvenile pigmentation. Let the leaf expand and harden before treating the colour as damage.
• The exposed side of a leaf turns pale or bleached after stronger light: A dry bleached area after stronger exposure is consistent with light or heat injury. Move the plant into filtered light and acclimate it gradually to future changes. Damaged tissue will not recover its colour. If the area is wet or continues to spread, isolate the plant and have the cause identified.
• The plant wilts or yellows while the root ball stays wet: Pause watering and check drainage. If the plant stays wilted or yellow while the root ball is still wet, check the root system. When roots are firm and drainage is sound, let the upper mix reach the usual dry cue before watering again. Repot firm roots if the medium has collapsed or drains slowly. Cut away dark, soft roots when rot is confirmed, then repot the surviving firm roots in clean airy mix. If no firm roots remain or rot reaches the stem base, take a cutting only from a firm healthy node above the damage. Discard the soft material; if no firm healthy node is left, the affected plant cannot be salvaged.
• New growth is silvery, scarred or distorted with dark specks: Thrips are possible. Isolate the plant, inspect the unfurling leaf and contact points around the support, rinse or clean it and use a treatment labelled for thrips if they are confirmed.
• Leaves show fine pale stippling with webbing: Spider mites are possible. Isolate the plant, inspect the undersides, rinse thoroughly, monitor repeatedly and use a treatment labelled for mites if they are confirmed.
• Leaves become smaller or gaps between them lengthen: Low light or weak contact with the support can contribute. Secure the stem to its support, improve filtered light gradually if the position is dim and judge the response from later leaves.

Philodendron ‘El Choco Red’ (Philodendron rubrijuvenile) 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.

What does the name Philodendron 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.