Philodendron erubescens 'Red Emerald'
Red Emerald Philodendron
Typical UK price
£7
Price by size
- Sold, 90 days
- 0
- Middle half
- -
- Last sold
- 5 Jul 2026
- On record
- 2
- Sale
- Typical
- Middle half
- Estimate
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About Philodendron erubescens 'Red Emerald'
Philodendron erubescens 'Red Emerald' is one of the longest-standing cultivars in cultivation, valued for the vivid contrast between its deep emerald-green leaves and the burgundy-red new growth, petioles and stems. Each unfurling leaf emerges wrapped in a papery red cataphyll before opening to reveal a glossy, arrow-shaped blade with a subtle red blush along the margin. It is a vigorous climber that will happily scale a moss pole or trellis, and its long history in cultivation has made it one of the most reliable and widely available red-toned Philodendrons for any collection.
Native range
Horticultural cultivar of the species native to Colombia.
Classification
- Genus
- Philodendron
- Family
- Araceae
- Type
- Cultivar
- Growth habit
- Climbing hemiepiphyte
- Form of
- Philodendron erubescens
Morphology
- Leaf shape
- Arrow-shaped, sagittateArrowhead-shaped leaves, with pointed lobes at the base pointing downwards.
- Leaf length
- 20-35 cm
- Leaf width
- 12-20 cm
- Petiole colour
- Deep burgundy-red
- Venation
- PinnateVeins or lobes arranged like a feather, branching out symmetrically on both sides of a single main central vein., subtle
- Texture
- Glossy, leathery
- Variegation
- N/A
- Growth habit
- Climbing on aerial roots
Recent UK sales
For sale in the UK
By month
| Month | Median | Sold |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2026 | £8 | 1 |
| Jun 2026 | £6 | 1 |
Before you buy
- The plain species (often sold as 'Red Emerald') is inexpensive and widely available; be cautious of collector-level pricing
- For 'Pink Princess' or 'White Princess', check the variegation percentage in photos; heavily white/pink sectored cuttings are harder to establish and more valuable, but also more fragile
- Look for firm stems and healthy nodes; a cutting with a mushy or blackened base is unlikely to root
- All Philodendron are toxic if ingested; keep away from pets and children
Philodendron erubescens 'Red Emerald' care
- Substrate
- Chunky, well-draining aroid mix: 40% orchid bark, 30% potting compost, 20% perlite, 10% sphagnum moss.
- Watering
- Allow the top few centimetres of substrate to dry between waterings. Reduce slightly in winter.
- Humidity
- 50-70%. Tolerates average household humidity better than most variegated Philodendron cultivars, making the plain species a forgiving climber.
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength every 3-4 weeks during the growing season.
- Repotting
- Annually while young and fast-growing; every 2 years once established, or when roots fill the pot.
Common problems
Leggy growth with small leaves
Cause: Insufficient light or no support to climb
Fix: Provide a moss pole or trellis and move to brighter indirect light; leaf size increases noticeably once the plant is climbing
Root rot
Cause: Overwatering or poorly-draining substrate
Fix: Unpot, trim affected roots, and repot into fresh chunky substrate; reduce watering frequency
Bacterial leaf spot
Cause: Overhead watering and poor air circulation
Fix: Water at the base, avoid wetting foliage, and improve airflow around the plant
Gear for this plant
- Coir Moss Pole, 120cm (4-Pack)Coco coir totem for climbing aroids to root into as they grow upward.
- Natural Rooting Powder, 3 x 75gRooting hormone powder for stem and leaf cuttings.
- Precision Bonsai Pruning Scissors, 200mmFine-bladed snips for clean node cuts when taking a cutting.
How to propagate Philodendron erubescens 'Red Emerald'
- Methods
- Stem cutting, Node cutting. 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
- 6-10 weeks
- True from cuttings
- Yes. Cuttings keep the cultivar's character.
- Notes
- Roots readily from stem or node cuttings in water or moist substrate. The plain species propagates fast and true; variegated sports like Pink Princess and White Princess need a cutting taken at a visibly variegated node to preserve the sectoring.