Philodendron erubescens 'Black Cardinal'
Cultivar of nursery origin; parent species Philodendron erubescens is native to Colombia
First described by K.Koch & Augustin (parent species).
Broad, glossy blackish-burgundy leaves; new growth bronze-red, maturing to a deep near-black green.
Climbing cultivar of P. erubescens; develops larger leaves with a moss pole and bright light.
Genus from Greek 'philo' (love) + 'dendron' (tree), referring to many species' habit of climbing trees. Epithet 'erubescens' means 'blushing'. 'Black Cardinal' is a horticultural cultivar name.
Black Cardinal' is a self-heading cultivar of Philodendron erubescens (parent species native to Colombia), grown for its broad, glossy blackish-burgundy foliage. New leaves emerge bronze-red and darken to a deep, almost-black green. It is non-variegated and one of the easier erubescens cultivars to grow.
Aroid mix (40% orchid bark, 40% coco coir, 20% perlite). Repot every 12–18 months in spring; provide a moss pole. Variegated forms prefer well-draining substrate.
Monthly during growing season (spring–summer)
- Root rot from overwatering; loss of variegation/colour and leggy growth in low light; spider mites and mealybugs in dry air; brown leaf tips from low humidity or tap-water minerals.
- New leaves emerge bronze-red before darkening to a glossy near-black.
- Unlike the variegated princesses, 'Black Cardinal' is solid-coloured and very easy to grow.
- Its compact, self-heading habit suits it to tabletops and shelves.