Philodendron ‘Sun Red’

Origin of Philodendron ‘Sun Red’

‘Sun Red’ and the reversed wording ‘Red Sun’ both occur in commercial usage.

Its breeder and parentage are still uncertain.

Care for Philodendron ‘Sun Red’

• Crown space: Leave enough room around the broad leaves for them to open and use a stable pot as the compact rosette on its short stem broadens.
• Light: Keep the crown in bright filtered light and shield the newest red leaf from intense midday sun while it is still soft.
• Water and mix: Water when the potting mix has lost some moisture and the pot feels lighter, then let it drain completely. Use an airy mix that lets air reach the roots as it dries.
• Temperature and humidity: Keep the plant between about 18 and 29 °C during normal growth, with protection from sustained temperatures below 15 °C. Keep the plant at roughly 50–60% relative humidity.
• Feeding: During active growth, use a measured dose of complete houseplant fertiliser; then taper applications as the plant becomes less active.
• Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot when the root system has filled the current container. A full root ball, noticeably slower drainage or poor pot stability are the cues to repot.
• Making new plants: Use a rooted basal shoot or a stem section with an active node.

Troubleshooting Philodendron ‘Sun Red’

• The newest red leaf settles to green: That is the expected age sequence. Keep the healthy leaf; the warmest colour will remain in fresh central growth.
• A dry bleached area forms on one side: Strong direct sun or hot glass is likely when the mark follows the exposed face of the plant. Pull the pot back or filter that light and protect the next soft leaf.
• Yellowing spreads while the root ball stays wet: Hold off on water until the root zone loses moisture and make sure the container drains freely. If the rosette becomes soft or limp, inspect the roots; remove mushy or hollow sections and replace collapsed substrate around the remaining firm roots.
• New foliage is distorted, silvered or finely stippled: Silver scars and black specks in the tight centre point toward thrips, while fine stippling or webbing on older leaf undersides points toward mites. Confirm the pest, move the plant away from nearby foliage, clean accessible pests from the leaves and use a currently labelled indoor-ornamental treatment for the pest you found.

Philodendron ‘Sun 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.

What does Philodendron mean, and who first published it?

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.