Full Specimen Plate
Philodendron 'Black Cardinal'
Black Cardinal Philodendron
Quick Facts
Morphology
About
Black Cardinal is a self-heading Philodendron cultivar bred from Philodendron erubescens lines, grown for foliage that darkens dramatically 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 makes it a striking accent plant against lighter foliage. It is widely available through tissue culture and priced accessibly across UK retailers.
Market Analysis
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Before You Buy
Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing
- 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
Propagation Guide
Growing More Plants
1-3 months
Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings
Divide at the base once multiple crowns develop; single-node stem cuttings root readily in water or moist substrate.
Care Guide
Growing Conditions
Well-draining mix: 50% potting compost, 30% perlite, 20% orchid bark.
Water when the top 3-4 cm of substrate is dry. Reduce frequency in winter.
50-70% preferred for the glossiest, darkest foliage.
Balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength every 4 weeks in spring and summer.
Every 12-18 months, or when the crown outgrows its pot.
Common Problems
Leaves staying pale green rather than darkening
Insufficient light or plant is still juvenile
Move to brighter indirect light; the dark colouring intensifies with maturity and light exposure
Yellow lower leaves
Overwatering or natural leaf drop with age
Check substrate moisture before watering; some lower-leaf loss is normal as the plant matures
Darkest of the Self-Headers
Black Cardinal is the darkest-leaved of the widely available self-heading Philodendron cultivars, and the depth of colour is genuinely striking against a paler backdrop. It shares its easygoing, tissue-culture-driven affordability with Prince of Orange and the Imperial series, making dramatic dark foliage accessible without a rare-plant price tag.