Red King Philodendron

Red King Philodendron (Philodendron 'Red King') is a climbing hybrid grown for the burgundy flush on its new leaves and stems. Given a moss pole it reaches about 1.5m tall and 1m wide indoors, which makes it a floor plant with real presence rather than a shelf filler. It grows quickly in warmth and asks for very little.

Why you'll love it

• Red new growth. Each new leaf unfurls deep red before hardening to glossy green, so there is almost always colour on the plant.
• Fast for an indoor plant. In a warm, bright room it pushes new leaves through spring and summer.
• Height where you want it. On a moss pole it climbs to around 1.5m and fills a corner that a low plant cannot.
• Genuinely low maintenance. Water when the top of the mix dries, wipe the leaves occasionally, and that is close to the whole job.

Where it works best

Indoors. Bright indirect light beside a window, or a well lit room set back from the glass. This is the position it was bred for.

Pots and containers. Use a pot 300mm or wider with drainage holes and a quality indoor mix, and add a moss pole early so the aerial roots have something to grip.

Balconies and courtyards. In tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens it lives outdoors year round in a sheltered, shaded spot.

Growing Red King Philodendron in Australia

Position and climate. Warmth and humidity are what it wants, so it suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens outdoors and any heated room elsewhere. It is frost tender, so in cool temperate and southern gardens keep it inside over winter.

Soil. A chunky, free draining indoor mix with bark or perlite through it. Philodendron roots want air as much as water, and a heavy mix in a pot without drainage is the usual cause of failure.

Water and feed. Water once the top 30mm of mix is dry, then let it drain fully and empty the saucer. Feed a half strength liquid fertiliser monthly through spring and summer, and stop over winter.

Pruning and support. Tie the main stems to a moss pole as they grow and keep the pole damp to encourage aerial roots. Cut a leggy stem back just above a node and it will branch from there.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in 125mm pots sold in packs of ten and 180mm pots sold in packs of six, so this is a plant bought in quantity rather than singly. The 125mm plants are young, with a few established leaves each; the 180mm plants are closer to a finished pot plant.

Foliage plants travel with some leaf bruising and the odd bent stem, which is normal and grows out. Hold off feeding for a fortnight, and expect new growth within four to six weeks in warm weather. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Read the full philodendron care guide
• Browse the indoor plant range
• How to keep your indoor plants alive
• Other plants for partial shade

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Like all philodendrons it contains calcium oxalate crystals and is toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, causing mouth irritation, drooling and vomiting. Keep it out of reach of a pet that chews foliage.

Does it need a moss pole?

It does better with one. Without support the stems lean and the leaves stay smaller, while a damp pole gives the aerial roots something to hold.

Why is the new growth green instead of red?

Usually not enough light. The red pigment develops in bright indirect light, so a plant in a dim corner produces green leaves and longer, thinner stems.

Can I grow it outside?

Only in frost free gardens. In tropical, subtropical and warm temperate areas it grows happily in a sheltered shaded position. Anywhere colder, treat it as an indoor plant.