Philodendron Black Cardinal Plant Care

Philodendron plants, predominantly native to South America, are renowned for their low-maintenance nature, forgiving temperament, and captivating beauty. Among them, the Philodendron Black Cardinal stands out as a striking example.

Philodendron Black Cardinal is a striking cultivar known for its deep, velvety foliage, which emerges in hues of rich purple and gradually darkens to near-black as it matures.

Its bold coloration and low-maintenance nature add a touch of drama and elegance to any indoor space.

Philodendron Black Cardinal Care Guide Table

black cardinal plant care card

Philodendron Black Cardinal Quick Care Guide

  • Soil: Opt for well-drained soil with good aeration; consider sphagnum peat moss, perlite, or vermiculite.
  • Watering: Allow the topsoil to dry before watering to prevent overwatering.
  • Light: Provide bright, indirect light; avoid direct sunlight to prevent foliage burns.
  • Temperature and Humidity: Maintain indoor temperatures between 65°F to 78°F during the day and around 60°F at night; ensure adequate humidity and bring indoors during colder seasons.
  • Fertilizer: Feed monthly with liquid fertilizer to support growth.
  • Propagation: Use stem cuttings for propagation.
  • Potting: Repot into a container 2 inches larger when root-bound.

Philodendron Black Cardinal Care 

When you invest your time planting the Black Cardinal, you will find the enormous glossy leaf growth interesting. The leaves start with a light bronze shade and mature to a deep black/chocolate appearance.

However, the young plant grows with green accents until mature.

Best Potting Mixpotting mix

The Black Cardinal plant benefits are outstanding as it is easy to maintain as a houseplant. To keep this plant thriving, it needs loose, well-drained soil. Prevent using an all-purpose potting mix as it becomes compacted, strangling the roots.

An excellent choice is the African Violet soil mix, or you can prepare it yourself using peat moss, perlite, or vermiculite. Preferably, use sphagnum peat moss or a peat-vermiculite one.

Doing this helps the soil to drain fast and improves aeration at the root system. Furthermore, it prevents a buildup of water at the roots and prevents rotting.

Watering Needs

For the black cardinal variety, allowing the soil to dry to the touch is true before watering the plant. However, you can water it well, ensure the water drains well into a saucer, and re-water when you find the top inch of the soil dry. Doing this prevents overwatering, and there is no risk of the plant drying out.

Another way to prevent overwatering is to plant the Philodendron in well-drained soil.

Ideal Lighting Needed

This plant loves a warm and bright spot to thrive away from direct sunlight. You can place it near a window where the sun does not shine directly on the leaves.

However, if you find the leaves turning yellow, it is getting too much light.black cardinal lighting conditiion

Alternatively, the plants do not get enough sunlight if the stems elongate and grow only several inches. Another notable thing is that the plant can produce purple leaves by exposing them to a bit of morning/afternoon sun when not that bright.

Humidity and Temperature 

One notable thing with the Black Cardinal is that it cannot survive in freezing temperatures. So, if your plant is outside, bring it indoors before the frost.

We recommend keeping the plant in a room with a temperature of 65°-78° F during the day and at night at 60°F. These temperatures also refer to average temperatures found in your home. While the plants thrive in tropical climates, they are hardy when placed in low humidity.

Do you plan to set your Philodendron indoors? Then, it helps to put it in a room with 30% to 50% humidity. However, never place your plant close to heating vents or AC as extreme temperatures damage them, and all your hard work goes to waste.

Fertilizer

You will love that the Philodendron Black Cardinal is not a hungry feeder. Yet, you can feed it monthly using a weak liquid fertilizer made for foliage plants. You can use this at the early growth stage in spring and summer or every eight weeks during fall and winter.liquid fertilizer

Furthermore, the plant can become deficient in calcium and magnesium, as identified by the pale color of the leaves. You can go the eco way using dried crushed eggshells and pour boiling water over them.

Leave the solution to soak overnight, strain the shells out, and pour it onto the soil. Alternatively, use a ready solution such as Cal-Mag Plug.

Propagation

If you want to keep your plant small, Black Cardinal plant propagation is the best way to achieve this. Doing this, you can keep it small, bestow a new plant upon someone special, or get a new free plant. The easiest way to do this is by cutting the stem, rooting, and placing it in water.

Make sure to cut the stem from the base and change the water daily until you notice bumps developing growing roots. Once the roots grow, you can plant them in the soil. If you are considering planting it from seed, think again. Doing this is ineffective as it rarely flowers.

If they produce seed, it remains a complex hybrid, not passing down the same genetic traits through the germ.

Growth Zone

Since Black Cardinal is native to Brazil and Mexico, this gorgeous lush foliage will mainly thrive in shady gardens or shady front yards and frost-free regions. Black Cardinals appreciate well-drained, moist soil.

Too much light and less moisture with this beauty can cause their leaves to become pale and brown instead of their glossy bronze and blackish-green leaves.

They can grow from 2- 3 feet in height and half of that in width in their natural habitat when mature.

If cultivated indoors, it’s possible to reach its maximum growth by providing them with all the necessary tropical experience they were accustomed to.

Potting and Re-potting

When you buy a Philodendron Black Cardinal as a small plant, you must repot it every few years, depending on the growth. As mentioned, make sure to follow the soil, water, and fertilizing tips stated above. The best time to propagate a Black Cardinal from the root is by repotting.  

You can carefully detangle and cut a root section with its corresponding stems. Once separated from the mother clump, you can replant them into another container. Preferably, replant your Black Cardinal in a larger pot that is more significant than the root ball, approximately two inches larger.

Please do this by watering the soil a couple of hours or even the night before, making it easier to pull out. Check the roots and untangle them. Replant it in your new container using the correct soil and water.

Furthermore, your plant does not need much pruning. You can remove or trim the damaged areas when the leaves age and turn yellow. In turn, this also helps keep the plant small. If you do not do a lot of cutting, you may need to replant it again every three years.

Philodendron Black Cardinal Varieties and Similar Plant

Philodendron plants are resilient, easy to care and very attractive houseplants. If you want to add other beautiful philodendron varieties, you can look at the following ones.

Philodendron Birkinphilodendron birkin

This is also part of the genus of plants found in the Araceae family. You can find over 500 species available, and it is a large imposing plant that climbs other plants or trees.

Philodendron Gloriosumphilodendron gloriosum

This has a velvet appearance; when the leaves reach maturity, they can have pronounced white veins. While not a climber, it does run along the ground.

Philodendron Pink Princessphilodendron pink princess

This gorgeous houseplant is a climbing plant with dark leaves and light pink blotches. Even the stems are dotted with a soft pink shade.

Philodendron Black Cardinal Diseases & Pests

One thing you will be happy about is that the Black Cardinal is an easy-to-maintain houseplant. The plant can quickly recover from stress or damage. Neither does the plant fall prey quickly to diseases or pests. But if under attack, here are some of the culprits.

Root Rot

is one of the biggest concerns and happens when there are not enough water drainage holes. Make sure the water flows out, and use the correct potting soil. Furthermore, check the ground’s top inch to ensure it is dry before watering.

When the leaves turn yellow and curl, you know your plant has stress from overwatering.

Aphids

are tiny insects you find on the stems sucking out all the juice and harmless to you but not your plant. You can wipe it off using your fingers or spray it with dish soap and Neem oil.

Mealybugs

are another culprit that causes harm to the plant. They live in humid places and feed on the plant juice. You can wipe them off using a paper towel with Neem oil or rubbing alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions

The origin of the name leaves one empty-handed, but it’s believed it might be because of the color of the leaves that is black to sometimes reddish

You can find two of these species available and can be climbers and non-climbing. The Black Cardinal is non-climbing and remains self-heading, and grows enormous in the leaves.

Yes, although the large foliage looks intimidating, but same as the other philodendron, the black cardinal is an extremely easy to care plant.

The size of Black Cardinal Philodendrons can vary depending on environmental conditions and care, but typically, they grow to be about 1 to 2 feet tall indoors. However, in optimal conditions with proper care, they can reach up to 3 feet tall.

Whether you want to buy, sell, or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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