Red Congo

Red Congo Care

Rojo Congo Philodendron

Other names: Philodendron Red Congo, Philodendron Rojo Congo Pbr

What is the plant

Philodendrons are trendy houseplants, but Rojo Congo can make you stand out of the crowd. This unique hybrid with vivid red foliage can become an undemanding gem of your home and office.

Philodendron “Rojo Congo” is a hybrid variety created by gardeners in Florida. It grows in compact rosettes and sprouts large, glossy burgundy leaves with a green tinge that turn fully green when they mature. Compared to similar red species, Rojo Congo has larger leaves and longer, thicker petioles. The plant is a self-supporting self-header that doesn’t need stakes or moss poles to grow.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

13°C - 24°C

Hardiness zone

11 - 11

Difficulty

Medium

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
This philodendron needs a little more water than naturally occurring species, but never overwater it! Pinch the top soil one inch (2.5 cm) deep. If the soil is dry, the watering time has come! In summer, this usually means watering once in 3 days. In winter, water your Rojo Congo less.
Pruning
This plant doesn’t need pruning. Cut dead leaves and stems when necessary.
Fertilizer
In spring and summer, fertilize once a month with an organic slow-release houseplant fertilizer. Mulch, compost, organic manure, peat, and moss are natural nutrient-rich fertilizers. You can also use nitrogen-rich chemical fertilizers.

Disease diagnosis

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Sunlight
Bright, indirect light is perfect for Rojo Congo. Excessive direct sunlight can damage the leaves.
Soil
This plant needs well-draining soil. Mix ⅔ peat with ⅓ perlite to create a suitable soil mix. You can also add coco peat and sphagnum moss to provide organic matter to your plant.
Propagation
Rojo Congo is quite difficult to propagate. Botanists propagate it through a tissue culture method, which only works in laboratory conditions. One option is to propagate from plantlets, but you’ll have to rely on Mother Nature. Wait for the plantlets to grow 4-5 inches (10-12 cm) long. Choose the plantlet with aerial roots, and use an air-layering technique to grow them further before separating it from the mother plant. After that, cut the plantlet and replant it in the new soil.

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Temperature
Philodendron Congo Rojo is not a hardy plant. It hates temperature drops and wind drafts. Keep it in a spot with a stable temperature between 76°F - 86°F (24-30˚C).
Container
Rojo Congo needs excellent drainage, so make sure your pot has drainage holes. Other than that, choose whatever pot you fancy.
Fun fact
This is not really a fun fact, but this plant is toxic to pets! Beware!