Philodendron 'Imperial Red'
Cultivar of nursery origin; complex hybrid in the Philodendron erubescens lineage
First described by Hybrid (horticultural origin).
Broad, thick, glossy oval leaves emerging deep red-burgundy, maturing to dark green; sturdy red-tinged petioles.
Compact self-heading rosette; does not climb.
Genus from Greek 'philo' (love) + 'dendron' (tree), referring to many species' habit of climbing trees. 'Imperial Red' is a horticultural cultivar name.
Philodendron 'Imperial Red' is a self-heading hybrid in the erubescens lineage, grown for broad, glossy leaves that emerge deep red-burgundy and mature to dark green. It forms a compact rosette and is one of the easiest, most adaptable philodendrons for indoor growing.
Easy and tolerant: bright indirect light gives the reddest new growth but it handles medium light and average humidity. Water when the top 2–3 cm dries; no support needed.
Aroid mix (40% orchid bark, 40% coco coir, 20% perlite). Repot every 1–2 years in spring; keep as a self-heading clump.
Monthly during growing season (spring–summer)
- Root rot from overwatering; muted red and leggy growth in low light; spider mites in dry air; brown tips from very dry air.
- New leaves emerge red-burgundy before deepening to glossy near-black green.
- It's a parent of the hugely popular 'Rojo Congo'.
- Compact and self-heading, it's a tough, low-light-tolerant classic.