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Philodendron 'Black Cardinal'

Black Cardinal Philodendron

Typical UK price

£11

Verified

Price by size

Sold, 90 days
5
Middle half
£6 to £15
Last sold
30 Sep 2026
On record
5
Cutting/cormEstimate
7cm5 sold
12cmEstimate
MatureEstimate
  • Sale
  • Typical
  • Middle half
  • Estimate
for a 7cm pot
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About Philodendron 'Black Cardinal'

Black Cardinal is a self-heading Philodendron cultivar bred from Philodendron erubescens lines, grown for foliage that darkens markedly with maturity: new leaves unfurl a deep burgundy-red and age toward an almost black-green, glossy and richly coloured. Like its erubescens relatives, it forms a compact, upright rosette rather than climbing, and its dark colouring sets it apart as an accent plant against lighter foliage. It is widely available through tissue culture and priced accessibly across UK retailers.

Native range

Horticultural cultivar, self-heading Philodendron hybrid group (Philodendron erubescens parentage).

Classification

Genus
Philodendron
Family
Araceae
Type
Cultivar
Growth habit
Self-heading, upright rosette

Morphology

Leaf shape
Broad ovate to elongated-heart shaped
Leaf length
25-40 cm
Leaf width
15-25 cm
Petiole colour
Dark burgundy
Venation
Pinnate, understated
Texture
Glossy, leathery
Variegation
None (very dark, near-black mature foliage rather than variegation)
Growth habit
Compact upright rosette, self-heading, no climbing or trailing

Recent UK sales

For sale in the UK

Current listings on eBay UK

By month

MonthMedianSold
Sep 2026£102
Aug 2026£151
Jul 2026£92

Before you buy

  • Look for a healthy central crown with no signs of rot at the base
  • Mature leaves should show a deep, glossy near-black colour, not dull or pale
  • Check for scale insects on petioles, a common issue on self-heading Philodendrons

Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' care

Substrate
Well-draining mix: 50% potting compost, 30% perlite, 20% orchid bark.
Watering
Water when the top 3-4 cm of substrate is dry. Reduce frequency in winter.
Humidity
50-70% preferred for the glossiest, darkest foliage.
Feeding
Balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength every 4 weeks in spring and summer.
Repotting
Every 12-18 months, or when the crown outgrows its pot.

Common problems

  • Leaves staying pale green rather than darkening

    Cause: Insufficient light or plant is still juvenile

    Fix: Move to brighter indirect light; the dark colouring intensifies with maturity and light exposure

  • Yellow lower leaves

    Cause: Overwatering or natural leaf drop with age

    Fix: Check substrate moisture before watering; some lower-leaf loss is normal as the plant matures

Gear for this plant

How to propagate Philodendron 'Black Cardinal'

Methods
Division, Stem cutting with node. Step-by-step guide
Difficulty
Easy. Forgiving of missed waterings, average home humidity, and imperfect light. A solid pick for beginners or low-fuss collections.
Time to establish
1-3 months
True from cuttings
Yes. Cuttings keep the cultivar's character.
Notes
Divide at the base once multiple crowns develop; single-node stem cuttings root readily in water or moist substrate.

In the wild