Full Specimen Plate
Philodendron 'El Choco Red'
El Choco Red Philodendron
Philodendron 'El Choco Red' Morphology
About Philodendron 'El Choco Red'
Philodendron 'El Choco Red' takes its name from the Chocó bioregion spanning Colombia and Ecuador, one of the wettest and most biodiverse rainforest zones on the continent, and shows the giant, deeply veined heart-shaped leaves typical of Philodendron from that region. The upper leaf surface is a glossy, velvety deep green, while the underside and petioles carry a rich wine-red wash that becomes especially vivid on new growth before darkening as the leaf matures. It climbs as a hemiepiphyte given a sturdy support, eventually producing genuinely enormous leaves on mature specimens. The combination of scale and colour contrast has made it one of the more frequently name-dropped Philodendron hybrids in current collector circles.
Native Range
Colombia
Market Analysis
Philodendron 'El Choco Red' Price Guide & Auction Value
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Before You Buy
Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing
- Check that roots are firm and pale — avoid plants with black, slimy roots
- Inspect the leaf underside for the characteristic wine-red wash, which distinguishes this hybrid from plain green giant-leaved Philodendron relatives
- Confirm the plant has at least one healthy node with visible growth
Propagation Guide
How to Propagate Philodendron 'El Choco Red'
Single-node cuttings root readily in moist sphagnum. As with most large-leaved Philodendron hybrids, a support to climb is needed to reach mature leaf size.
Care Guide
Philodendron 'El Choco Red' Care Guide & Growing Conditions
High-porosity mix: 50% perlite, 30% orchid bark, 20% coco coir.
Water thoroughly when the top 3-4 cm of substrate is dry. Ensure free drainage.
65-85% preferred for the best leaf size and red colouration.
Balanced liquid fertiliser at quarter strength every two weeks in spring and summer.
Every 12-18 months, or when roots circle the base of the pot.
Common Problems
Small, pale leaves with weak red underside colour
Insufficient light
Move to brighter indirect light
Root rot
Overwatering or poor drainage
Repot into fresh, well-draining substrate and reduce watering
Scale and Colour from the Chocó
Named for one of the wettest rainforest regions on the planet, this hybrid delivers exactly what the name promises — real scale once mature, and a red underside that shows clearly whenever a leaf catches the light from below. Worth noting this is a collector-maintained hybrid selection, not a formally described species, so expect some variation between vendors' stock. Give it a substantial support early; the leaf size on a well-grown mature specimen is the whole point.
