Andersons Red Philodendron

Andersons Red Philodendron (Philodendron 'Andersons Red') earns its place on the new growth: leaves unfurl deep burgundy red before settling to glossy green. It is a self heading hybrid, so it builds a tidy rosette roughly 1.2m tall and 1.2m wide rather than climbing or trailing. That makes it one of the easier large leaf philodendrons to keep indoors or on a shaded balcony.

Why you'll love it

• Colour that keeps arriving. Every new leaf opens red and fades slowly, so there is fresh colour through the warm months without a single flower.
• It stays where you put it. Self heading means no aerial roots hunting for a pole and no annual untangling.
• Predictable size. At about 1.2m each way it suits a corner or a wide pot without outgrowing the room in two seasons.
• Genuinely low maintenance. Water, bright indirect light and a feed twice a year cover almost everything it needs.

Where it works best

Indoors. A bright corner set back from the glass, or a room with filtered light, gives the strongest red. Anywhere in the country works indoors, which matters for a plant this frost tender.

Pots and containers. A 400mm pot suits a mature plant. Wide beats deep, because the root ball is shallow and a broad pot keeps the rosette steady.

Balconies and courtyards. In tropical and subtropical gardens it holds up outdoors in shade with shelter from wind, which shreds the large leaves.

Growing Andersons Red Philodendron in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light indoors. Direct sun bleaches the leaves, deep shade dulls the red. Outdoors it is limited to tropical and subtropical gardens in a shaded, sheltered spot; elsewhere treat it as an indoor plant.

Soil. A chunky, free draining potting mix with bark or perlite through it. The pot needs a drainage hole, since standing water brings on root rot faster than anything else.

Water and feed. Let the top 3cm dry, then water thoroughly and drain the saucer. Roughly weekly in summer, fortnightly in winter. It appreciates humidity, so group it with other plants or sit it on a pebble tray in dry inland air. Feed a slow release fertiliser in spring and again in midsummer.

Pruning. Almost none. Cut spent leaves off at the base with a clean blade, and wipe the leaves occasionally so they keep their shine.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes in three sizes: 125mm in packs of ten, 175mm in packs of six, and a single 300mm plant. The small pots arrive as young rosettes of four or five leaves and take two or three seasons to fill out, which is the value route if you want several. The 300mm plant is already established and looks the part straight away.

Large leaves can arrive with a crease or a small tear from transit. That is cosmetic and the next leaves come through clean. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The complete philodendron care guide
• How to repot your plants properly
• Browse the wider indoor plant range
• See other picks for balconies and courtyards

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Like all philodendrons it contains calcium oxalate crystals, which cause mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting if chewed. Keep it out of reach of a pet that nibbles foliage.

Why is the new growth green instead of red?

Not enough light. The red pigment needs bright indirect light to develop, so move it closer to a window without putting it in direct sun.

Does it need a moss pole?

No. It is self heading rather than climbing, so it supports itself. A wide, heavy pot is all the stability a mature plant asks for.