Philodendron Red Heart requires care. Maybe not as much as other plants, but care is still fundamental.
I discussed in my previous post how this plant is rare. It is expensive and in-demand amongst the plant community.
The last thing you want is to get a hold of this beauty and for it to die because it is not cared for how it should.
Hence, if you are on the verge of buying this beauty or have already, this post will do you a lot of good, helping you learn how to care for the Philodendron Red Heart.
Let’s dive in.
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Is the Red Heart easy to grow?
Yes, it is very easy to grow.
After all, the Red Heart is a hardy plant. This makes it a very hard to kill. Trust me, even if you try, it will be difficult.
But, to see the bold green colour, or to witness the vibrant red veins pour out… the Philodendron Red Heart needs care.
The point here is- care is still important regardless of how easy a plant is to grow.
Hence, I will discuss several things below that you will need to be careful of.
What to care for when growing the Red Heart?
Growing the Red Heart indoors is a good choice. It has a wonderful design making it suitable regardless of the modern, interior design. But to bring out the best of its potential- it requires care.
Keep on top of the following below, and you will have a beautiful indoor plant.
Otherwise, your money and time will go to waste.
The following below should stay in check:
Light
The Red Heart originates from tropical climates. It loves the sun but keep in mind- it doesn’t love bright light as much as other plants from tropical areas do, such as a Monstera.
It prefers medium to bright light. For best results, grow the Red Heart in medium, cool light.
You can grow the Red Heart in low light BUT the plant will not thrive. The leaves won’t grow to full size nor the colour will be as bold.
Good Tip!
Avoid direct contact with light as this will burn the leaves. Try not to place too close to a window or under the sun.
Watering
Get this right. If you are a beginner to plants, you cannot assume watering daily or once a week is enough.
Good Tip!
Always research the plant you are growing. Every plant has differing watering conditions.
The Philodendron Red Heart likes to be kept slightly dry. Not completely dry, but slightly.
This is important.
Hence, try not to keep the soil moist. Only water the plant when needed. The dry and soak method is simple and efficient, and will not take up much time to do.
For those not familiar, you dip an index finger into the soil. If it is dry, then water the plant. If the soil is moist, do not water yet.
How to notice if you are not watering correctly
If you notice yellow leaves, you can be overwatering- check the soil to feel how moist it is.
If you feel like your soil is moist often even after not watering for long periods…there could be two reasons for this.
You are overwatering or there are not enough drainage properties.
Use a container with holes to allow water to drain. Adding rocks or pebbles is great as a top dressing for not only design but to help with drainage.
On a side note– use rocks as a top dressing to give a professional outlook to succulents. Check out my post: 6 Reasons why you should start Planting Succulents in Rocks
If leaves are going brown and wilt, the plant is probably under-watered. When there is less water, the soil is dry and bundles around the roots. When you water in parched soil, the plant has little exposure to oxygen or water as the soil covers the roots. This can lead to root rot.
Hence, if you suspect overwatering, check the soil. Use the dry and soak method and if the soil is dry- water the plant.
Plants can live in water only (without soil) but this is not ideal long term. I would avoid placing the Red Heart in water for a prolonged duration.
Soil
If the soil is not right, your plant will not grow. Simple.
Getting the soil mixture correct is a must. The content of your soil will account for what the plant wants.
Below is a good soil mix suitable for the Philodendron Red Heart:
40% coco coir
Coco coir is a great medium to add to your potting mix. It helps to keep the nutrients in the root zone so the plant can easily pick up essential nutrients.
It helps to keep the potting soil effective for longer whilst also maintaining the correct moisture levels at the roots.
20% orchid bark
Orchid Bark is important for all tropical houseplants. Bark is chunky and keeps the potting medium light and less compacted. This allows good air circulation around the plant roots, which is vital to keep the Red Heart happy.
10% perlite
Perlite is exceptional as it is permeable with good water drainage properties.
Hence, it allows air exchange and excess water to drain out.
10% worm castings
10% pumice
10% rich compost
Compost is important for the soil as it allows good drainage and helps to keep the soil stable. Check out my post: Why Compost is Important to Grow Healthy Plants which talks through why you need compost when growing plants.
Humidity
The Red Heart loves moisture. Aim for a humidity level of around 60-80%. Anything less and the conditions will be poor for plant growth.
In summer, it may be easier to maintain humidity at the level Red Heart prefers especially when growing indoors. Literally, there is nothing for you to do. The temperature and humidity will be ideal when the weather hits 25 degrees Celsius and plus.
But in winter, you may have a problem as temperature and humidity drop massively.
Hence,
Take action. Investing in a dehumidifier is best. It will help increase humidity of the room the plant is in. A cheaper, simple ‘hack’ to increase humidity is by placing a tray or bowl of water close to the plant. When the water evaporates, this will increase humidity.
Good Tip!
Growing plants close to each other can help increase humidity via transpiration.
Ventilation
Tropical plants love their space. They love fresh air and it is important to keep your plants ventilated.
Stale air is bad for the plant. Keep a window open for a couple of hours to allow bad air to leave and fresh air to enter.
Remember, the plant is born outdoors in tropical forests and favours fresh air. Thus, when growing indoors, you will have to try and mimic its growing conditions.
Also, do not place the Red Heart too close to other plants. All plants need breathing space so they can grow freely.
Fertilizer
The Red Heart grows fast. Hence, it is best to fertilize monthly during spring and summer.
In winter- fertilize accordingly. This depends on how much the plant is growing. If the plant is in dormancy, do not fertilize too often. With slow growth I would cut the use of a fertilizer to every other month or every two months.
If you see NO GROWTH during winter, do not be worried or guilty, with a thought process you are giving poor care to the Philodendron Red Heart. Instead, stay calm. It is normal for a plant to go through a dormancy period.
Prune when needed
To care for the Philodendron Red Heart involves more than watering, giving light and potting in the right soil.
Pruning is a step that some planters – especially beginners, do not understand the importance of.
With the Red Heart, you will ONLY prune when the leaves are dying, dead or damaged.
This is because the Red Heart is self heading. It will shed leaves itself.
Hence,
When the leaves wrinkle, turn brown and become dry- this is bad. It is a matter of urgency for you to trim off these leaves.
Dead leaves will affect the plant. Energy and nutrients the plant needs are wasted on leaves that will not grow.
It will be better if the plant uses energy and nutrients on growing leaves. This will help the plant thrive and grow to its potential.
Good Tip!
Do not prune your plant under a fixed regime. It is a process you should do more on a when required basis.#
Prune to propagate.
This is a great way to kill two birds with one stone. Metaphorically, what I mean is- when the plant becomes untidy, cut off stems with nodes to grow a new plant.
This is a great way to keep your plant tidy and grow a new plant at the same time!
Make sure to use clean shears or scissors to cut off a stem. This may sound like common sense but I will still say it- all equipment should be kept sterile at all times. Infections and diseases spread in plants too via contamination.
Check out my post: A How to Guide: Propagating a Monstera that goes through step by step how to propagate a Monstera. The steps to propagate a Red Heart are very similar and you can use the post above to use as a guide.
The Ideal Pot for Red Heart
Choose a pot that is approx. 5cm bigger than the roots with holes to allow drainage. This is crucial to allow water to drain to avoid moist soil. Aim for slightly dry soil.
Terra cotta pots are best. They are strong, look good and are porous. This is awesome as it will allow air exchange and keep the plant ventilated.
Good Tip!
If you want a decorative pot- choose one and place a terra cotta pot inside it
Top dress after potting your plant in a pot. This will help add a professional touch to your plant and also increase drainage properties to help keep the plant slightly dry. For example, use rocks or pebbles to add detail to your plant BUT be careful as this can block air exchange and quicken drainage.
Final Words
The Philodendron Red Heart is a beautiful, simple plant for you to grow. But there are several factors to control.
Give medium, cool light to allow the plant to thrive. Water only when the soil becomes dry, and remember- the plant does not like to be kept moist. The plant originates from tropical climates hence, keep the temperature above 25 degrees and maintain 60-80% humidity.
It is a hardy plant; it is tough. But do not become careless knowing this. Your plant will not thrive and the outcome will be disappointing.
Stick to what I have discussed above, and you will grow a bold, vibrant, and healthy plant!
Good luck!
