Why are my leaves turning yellow?

This is usually a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.

Does it need direct sunlight?

No, it prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its leaf color.

Plant guide

Blushing Philodendron.

Philodendron erubescens

Pronounced fill-oh-DEN-dron er-oo-BESS-enz

Also known as Philodendron, blushing philodendron, red-leaf philodendron

Philodendron erubescens — Photo by Anders Hastings (CC BY) via gbif

This beautiful climber is known for its deep reddish stems and glossy, heart-shaped leaves. It's a fantastic choice if you want a lush, tropical look in your home. It's quite adaptable and grows well in most indoor environments.

Another photo of Blushing Philodendron — Photo by Juan C. Espinosa (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Tropical vine
Light: Bright indirect light is best for keeping those leaves vibrant.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 10 days
Mature size: 3 to 6 feet indoors
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 11
Bloom time: Rarely blooms indoors, but can flower in spring or summer.

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root issues. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that you're overwatering. Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them dust-free and healthy.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems to encourage a fuller shape.
Repotting: Move to a larger pot once the roots begin to crowd the container.
Soil: Well-draining peat-based potting mix
Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 60 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, can live for many years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: Low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water drains through the pot very quickly.
Plant appears stunted or growth has significantly slowed.
The soil surface is covered with roots.

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause burning and swelling of the mouth and throat if consumed.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as ingestion of leaves causes immediate mouth pain and potential choking.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested and can cause severe irritation.

How to identify it

Glossy heart shaped leaves
Deep reddish purple stems
Vining growth habit
Large arrow shaped foliage

Height: 1 to 3m
Spread: 0.6 to 1.2m
Leaves: dark green, burgundy, reddish, evergreen
Flowers: white, green, red, 5 to 10cm
Fruit: red, Rarely fruits in cultivation

Problems to watch for

Brown Leaf EdgesCommon
Fungus GnatsCommon
Root RotCommon
Spider MitesCommon
Leaf ScorchUncommon
MealybugsUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
ThripsUncommon

By symptom

Check your blushing philodendron from a photo

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, layering
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Indoors, maintain consistent temperatures above 60°F (15°C) and provide adequate indirect light. Reduce watering slightly but do not let the soil dry out completely. Avoid placing near cold windows or heat vents.
In containers: Grows very well in pots, especially when provided with a moss pole or trellis for climbing. A 6-8 inch pot is a good starting point for a young plant.

Stem Cuttings

Take a stem cutting at least 4-6 inches long, ensuring it has at least one node.
Remove the lower leaves, leaving only the top few.
You can either place the cutting in water or moist potting mix.
If in water, change the water every few days until roots form (usually 2-4 weeks).
Once roots are established, plant in a pot with well-draining soil.

Air Layering

Choose a healthy stem and make a small incision just below a node.
Insert a small piece of moist sphagnum moss into the incision and wrap it with plastic wrap.
Once roots have formed within the moss (visible through the plastic), cut the stem below the new roots.
Pot the rooted section in well-draining soil.

Group plants with similar water needs together to maintain a consistent microclimate.

Grows well with

Peace Lily — They share similar humidity and light requirements.
Golden Pothos — Both plants thrive in similar indoor environments.

Similar species

Heartleaf Philodendron — It has a similar vining habit but smaller, solid green leaves.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Philodendron
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical regions of Colombia.
Conservation: Not currently listed as endangered in its native range.

It climbs trees in the rainforest to reach higher light levels in the canopy.

Value to wildlife: provides shelter in tropical habitats
Pollinators: beetles
Uses: indoor ornamental, air purification, vertical garden element

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9
Salinity: 2/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 8/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are my leaves turning yellow?: This is usually a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.
Does it need direct sunlight?: No, it prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its leaf color.

Where the name comes from

The name Philodendron comes from the Greek words philo meaning love and dendron meaning tree. The species name erubescens refers to the reddish color found on the stems and leaf undersides.

Good to know

It is a hemiepiphyte, meaning it starts life in the soil or on a tree and climbs upward.
The leaves can grow quite large as the plant matures.
It is a popular choice for moss poles because of its climbing nature.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.