25 Intriguing Philodendron Rojo Congo Care Tips For Indoor Gardeners

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Philodendron Rojo Congo is a tropical plant that’s great for gardeners of all skill levels. It has beautiful leaves and flowers, making it the perfect option to brighten up a space.

In this post, we’re exploring Rojo Congo’s care needs in-depth, so you can confidently grow this once rare beauty. 

What Is Philodendron Rojo Congo?

The Rojo Congo is a perennial known for its attractive foliage and showy flowers. From the family Araceae, this tropical plant has lanceolate-shaped leaves that are burgundy green when mature. While once considered rare, it has grown in popularity in recent years, making it easy to find and buy in most nurseries.

Origin And Family

This Rojo Congo Philodendron plant was first hybridized by Osiecki and registered/introduced in 2001. This plant is a cross between Philodendron Imperial Red and Philodendron Tatei and enjoys high humidity and bright indirect light.

Philodendron Rojo Congo belongs to the genus Philodendron and the Araceae family. It is indigenous to the rainforests of South America.

Philodendron Rojo Congo Plant Size

The Red Congo grows to about 24-36 inches tall as a mature Philodendron plant. Because of its height, light needs, and high humidity requirements, you can place it in a kitchen or bathroom – or near an east or west-facing window.

Philodendron Rojo Congo Care Needs

Your Philodendron Rojo Congo, like any other houseplant, grows well with proper care. The Congo Red, which adores warm weather and has extravagant  leaves, wants evenly moist soil throughout the year.

You typically want to water your Philodendron when the top inch of soil is dry to touch. Allow plenty of time for excess water to drain out of the pot’s draining hole. Similarly, this lovely plant needs bright indirect sunlight to thrive.

Check out the thorough care guidelines below for more specific advice.

https://youtu.be/gQnfBc-Me5M

Care Difficulty

Philodendron Rojo Congo is easy to grow. The amount of light and well-draining soil are important factors for this rare plant option.

How To Propogate Philodendron Rojo Congo

Interested in making more of this Philodendron? This video does a good job of explaining how to get started:

https://youtu.be/4K0008dukk0

Growth Rate

The Philodendron Rojo Congo plant grows 24-36 inches tall and grows fairly fast. Their growing season is between early spring and summer.

i hate to play favorites, but seriously, how could she not be my favorite??? 🥰🥰🥰 shes such a dream! this is my philodendron rojo congo and she is quite the show stopper pic.twitter.com/UDHougQ3wu

— BLM! ABOLISH POLICE! (@peachesmaroo) December 27, 2019

Potting

A large terracotta or ceramic pot is ideal for Philodendron plants. Also, while it may seem obvious, make sure your pot has a bottom hole.

Lack of drainage is a major threat to most plants, including Philodendron Rojo Congo. 

As your Philodendron Rojo Congo grows, you might consider upgrading from your current pot to a new pot for best results or on an as-needed basis. Typically, this will occur every year because Congo Reds grow quickly.

In between potting changes, you can refresh your plant’s old soil with a new organic potting soil to freshen up your Philodendron plant each year.

Water

When watering Red Congo, aim for an evenly moist potting mix. Inspect the soil with your finger. When the top inch of soil feels dry, water your Philodendron.

Overwatering is a leading cause of indoor plant death. When in doubt, under water rather than over water the Red Congo. Underwatering can stunt growth, but it can usually be corrected with time and patience.

Also, always use well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes.

Avoid putting your Philodendron Rojo Congo in direct sunlight, as this could severely damage or even kill it.

Light

Philodendron Rojo Congo’s light requirements range from bright indirect light to part shade. You’re trying to simulate the conditions of South American rainforests. Pacing this plant near an east or west-facing window works well in most situations. Plan to keep this plant in bright indirect light for 3-4 hours per day.

If the leaves of your Red Congo begin to turn yellow or become scorched, you’ll know it’s been exposed to too much light. On the other hand, if this plant does not receive enough light, its stems may become long and leggy.

Drooping and yellow leaves may indicate overexposure to light, but they may also indicate a lack of fertility. More information can be found in our fertilizer section.

Soil

For the Red Congo, organic potting soil is a suitable choice. Use coco coir, orchid bark, perlite, activated charcoal if you make your own. Keep in mind that Rojo Congo prefers an evenly moist growth medium, and your soil type should accommodate this.

We recommend the following potting mixes:

The organic potting soil should also allow for proper drainage, which helps to keep root rot and other diseases at bay. This easy-to-care-for plant prefers a well-drained soil or mix.

pH

You’ll want your soil to be between 5.6-7-5 (a neutral to acidic soil pH) for Congo Rojo Philodendron. Organic potting soil is usually pretty close to this, so you shouldn’t be too concerned.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is a must for Philodendron Rojo Congo. You should use a water-soluble fertilizer throughout the spring and summer once a month.

When growing naturally slows, you should fertilize every six to eight weeks in the wintertime.

Here are some water-soluble fertilizer options you can use:

Humidity And Aeration

When thinking about humidity levels for your Philodendron Rojo Congo, remember that you’re trying to emulate optimal conditions of the rainforests of South America.

This Philodendron is an interesting plant that prefers high humidity above 60%.

If you’ve checked your humidity and it’s low – or could be better – and you’ve noticed brown spots or edges, consider getting a humidifier or moving your plant to a more humid area.

Temperature

Warm temperatures are ideal for Red Congo plants. It can survive in a temperature range of 68-78°F.

They prefer a constant temperature, so keep them away from vents and other openings that let in cold air.

Flowers

The Philodendron Rojo Congo can produce significant shades of red, green, and white flowers.

Toxic

Both pets (including cats and dogs) and humans can be poisoned by the Congo Red. If consumed, you can expect to experience a burning sensation as well as swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue, and throat. Contact your vet or doctor if your pet or child, respectively, has ingested this plant.

Pests And Common Diseases

Things can go wrong even with expert care. Pests, diseases, and general issues arise from time to time. Unfortunately, the Philodendron Rojo Congo is not resistant to many diseases or pests. Here are some common issues.

Brown Leaf Tips

If the tops of your Red Congo start to brown, it may be due to too much sunlight or not enough humidity in your home.

Drooping Leaves

This can be caused by overwatering and fertilization of the Philodendron Rojo Congo. Mealybugs can also cause these issues.

Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves can be caused by several factors. It may lack sunlight or receive too much or too little water.

Yellow leaves should be pruned to promote new growth and stop deterioration. Yellow leaves can be unappealing. Pluck or trim the leaves with a sharp, clean pair of shears. This plant is unafraid of being beaten.

New leaves on the Philodendron Rojo Congo pic.twitter.com/VVWjSi77xr

— TCMiniFarm (@farm_tc) February 24, 2021

Aphids

Aphids can eat the leaves of the Congo Rojo, causing them to turn black and brown.

Use insecticidal soap or neem oil to treat aphids, or make your own with Ivory Liquid. Try to avoid products with perfumes and other harmful ingredients. Mix the soap and water (starting with one teaspoon per gallon and increasing as necessary). Spray the plants, focusing on the undersides of the leaves.

Mealybugs

Mealybugs may infest your Philodendron Rojo Congo. These tiny parasites damage your Philodendron by inserting a feeding tube into the plant tissues and sucking on the sap. Mealybugs can weaken or kill your Red Congo.

To get rid of them, rub rubbing alcohol on the lanceolate leaves and stem. Using neem oil as a preventative spray is also a good option.

Root Rot

Root rot is a plant disease caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil fungi. Root rot is difficult to treat, so prevention is the best option.

Prevent root rot in Philodendron Rojo Congo by carefully monitoring water intake.

Similar Plants

Love RDC? Try these other similar plants:

Philodendron Birkin – The Philodendron Birkin is a popular and gorgeous houseplant with striking white stripes on its dark green leaves. These patterns make the plant look dainty and might make you think it’s difficult to care for; fortunately, it’s very easy to grow.

Philodendron Prince of Orange – This flamboyant plant gets its name from its exquisite hued leaves that unfurl with a deep orange-bronze color that turns salmon as they get bigger.

Philodendron Gloriosum: This striking plant has oversized, heart-shaped leaves with distinctive veins that become more pronounced as it matures.

Conclusion

The Philodendron Rojo Congo is an excellent addition to tropical gardens of plant lovers – with attractive foliage and showy flowers.

It’s relatively easy to care for, requiring bright indirect light, high humidity, evenly moist soil, and warm temperatures.

If you’re looking for a beautiful addition to your collection or are just starting as an indoor gardener, this exceptional variety of Philodendron is an excellent choice. Use these tips to start growing Philodendron Rojo Congo today! 

Let's grow together!