Full Specimen Plate
Philodendron 'Imperial Red'
Imperial Red Philodendron
Quick Facts
Morphology
About
Imperial Red is a self-heading Philodendron cultivar grown for its new leaves, which emerge a deep burgundy-red before darkening to a glossy near-black green as they mature. Like its close relative Prince of Orange, it grows as a compact rosette from a single crown rather than climbing, making it a tidy, architectural houseplant. It is widely produced by tissue culture and sold at accessible prices across UK garden centres and online retailers, valued for its bold colour contrast and low maintenance requirements.
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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
- New leaves should show a clear deep red flush, not plain green
- 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.
40-60% is tolerated well; higher humidity encourages larger, glossier leaves.
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
New growth emerging green rather than red
Insufficient light
Move to brighter indirect light to intensify the red flush on new leaves
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
The Other Colour-Change Cultivar
Imperial Red is often sold alongside Prince of Orange as the darker-toned counterpart, and the comparison is a fair one — same self-heading habit, same tissue-culture-driven affordability, same low-maintenance appeal. The difference is entirely in the new-growth colour: a deep wine-red here instead of copper-orange.