🌿 Habitat and Ecology
Philodendron ‘Red Moon’ is a horticultural hybrid cultivar and, as such, has no native habitat. Its parentage traces back to several Philodendron species native to the tropical rainforests of South America, particularly Brazil and Colombia. This hybrid is a climbing hemiepiphyte (requires support) and is bred to thrive in the warm, humid, and shaded understory conditions typical of the rainforest biome.
🔴 Description and Distinguishing Features
This plant is an evergreen, climbing vine highly valued for its intense and variegated colouration.
 * Foliage: The leaves are large, heart-shaped (cordate), and slightly corrugated. The primary appeal is the unique variegation: new leaves emerge as a vibrant, saturated red or deep maroon. As the leaves mature, the colouration often shifts, displaying stunning sectors or blotches of red, pink, orange, and deep green. The petioles (leaf stalks) are typically reddish.
 * Growth Habit: It is a climbing vine that produces increasingly larger leaves when given a vertical support structure like a moss pole.
 * Ethnobotany: While the hybrid itself has no traditional use, the large leaves of its Philodendron ancestors were historically used by indigenous Amazonian tribes for thatching, making ropes, and creating baskets.
 * Differentiation: ‘Red Moon’ is distinguished from other popular red-variegated Philodendron hybrids by the intensity and broadness of the emerging red. It is often compared to P. 'Painted Lady', but 'Red Moon' features a more consistent, darker red/maroon base color when young.
💧 Cultivation and Care
Philodendron ‘Red Moon’ is a prized warm-growing tropical plant that requires stable conditions and high humidity to maintain its vibrant variegation and prevent leaf crisping.
 * Light: Needs bright, indirect light. High light is essential to activate and maintain the vibrant red and pink variegation; however, avoid direct, harsh sun which can scorch the leaves.
 * Substrate: Use a chunky, highly aerated, and rich potting mix (e.g., orchid bark, perlite, charcoal, and coir).
 * Watering: Water when the top 2-3 cm of the soil is dry to the touch. It is susceptible to root rot if left soggy.
 * Temperature: It is a warm-growing plant.
   * Optimal Daytime Temperature: 20-28 (68-82 F).
   * Minimum Winter Temperature: Not below 15 C (59 F).
 * Humidity: High humidity (60-80%+) is crucial for best colour and leaf health. Provide a moss pole for climbing.
✨ Unique Features
This Philodendron is a highly sought-after collector's jewel due to the spectacular, dynamic, and intense red, pink, and variegated leaves that emerge with an almost iridescent quality. The need for bright, stable conditions to express its full colour potential makes it a rewarding challenge for the serious aroid enthusiast.
🏷️ Specifications
Plant Size: established with green leaves. As seen in the picture
Plant Family: Araceae
Plant Passport: A Philodendron ‘Red Moon’ B 140084 C [buyer to use number of the plant label] D GB