Philodendron ‘Imperial Red’

The Florida-to-Belgium history of Philodendron ‘Imperial Red’

Paul DeCoster selected Philodendron ‘Imperial Red’ at his nursery in Melle, Belgium, from seedlings obtained from Bamboo Nursery in Apopka, Florida, in 1977. Tissue-culture trials began around 1982, and the cultivar entered wider cultivation in the late 1980s.

Care for self-heading aroid roots and foliage

• Rosette and pot: The plant stands without a pole. Choose a weighted container and repot once roots press around the walls or the crown gains enough mass to tip.
• Light and red emergence: Moderate light is tolerated, while brighter filtered exposure gives the crown fuller, more even growth. Fresh red leaves naturally darken and become greener with age.
• Moisture around the short stem: Wait for the upper layer to feel lightly dry, water thoroughly and drain. Keep the mix open and avoid prolonged saturation.
• Humidity, support and leaf care: Keep Philodendron ‘Imperial Red’ warm; consistent humidity and air circulation through the leaves support clean expansion. Feed gently while new leaves are forming.
• Propagation: Separate an established basal shoot or root a stem cutting that includes a healthy bud. Newly developing foliage should continue the normal red-to-green sequence.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Philodendron ‘Imperial Red’

• Maroon leaves become greener: Brown-maroon young foliage, dark green-maroon mature leaves and red-purple sheaths are normal. Scars or dead patches that spread independently of leaf age need inspection.
• Active lesions: A dry old mark can remain. Keep the Philodendron ‘Imperial Red’ away from neighbouring plants when tissue becomes wet, soft or odorous, and clean tools after removing a badly affected leaf.
• Drooping or rapid leaf loss: Check deep moisture, root firmness and recent cold or spray exposure. Cut away dead roots and renew potting mix that remains dense and waterlogged.
• Dark surfaces hide pests: Use strong reflected light beneath the leaf and around the central whorl. Thrips specks and scale can disappear against dark tissue, while mites may first show as fine pale stippling. Treat all sheltered surfaces once the pest is identified.
• Water remains in the crown: Droplets trapped among close petiole bases can encourage decay. Keep the centre dry and inspect any soft tissue promptly.

Philodendron ‘Imperial Red’ 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.

Why is it called Philodendron?

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.