Philodendron Ring Of Fire Care
Philodendron ring of fire care is really easy as rare houseplants go, just keep it well lit but not in direct sun and let it almost dry out before watering it again. We cover everything you need to know about care and propagation…
Philodendron Ring Of Fire Care Summary
| Light needs: | Medium to bright indirect sunlight. |
| Watering needs: | Check weekly, water if top 50% of the soil is dry. |
| Fertilizer: | A well diluted multipurpose fertilizer monthly in spring and summer. |
| Soil: | A well draining potting mix with 20% perlite. |
| Humidity: | 40-60%. |
| Temperature: | 15-27°C (approx. 60-80°F). |
| Where to buy: | Try our list of Rare Plant Shops or Etsy. |
| Common issues: | Pests on leaves, yellow leaves from overwatering. |
Introduction
The philodendron ring of fire (a.k.a. ring of fire plant) is a sought after rare philodendron, named after the orange hue on some of it’s serrated-sword like leaves. It is a real attention grabbing plant, and has boomed in popularity over the last few years.
See also: Philodendron Mayoi, Philodendron Pastazanum Care, Philodendron Plowmanii Care, Philodendron Red Emerald, Philodendron White Wizard.
Tip: we recommend Etsy for buying plants. Look for the best rated seller you can, and try to buy as close to your home as possible so the plant does not travel too far.
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Light Needs
Medium to bright indirect sunlight is ideal for a philodendron ring of fire. They do not want any direct sun which can burn the leaves.
How Often to Water
You want to check your plant once a week by sticking your finger in the soil and if the top 50% is completely dry then water it, but if it is still wet then leave it for this week. You do want to drench a philendron with loads of water but give it just enough so that water starts to drop out the bottom then stop and wait 10 minutes. Then dump out any excess water and put it back in its external container. This is so that it doesn’t get root rot from sitting in water or soggy soil which is the biggest killer of philodendrons like this.
Fertilizer
Feed this plant a multi-purpose plant feed once a month in the spring and summer months. The first time in the year you feed it make sure it’s a bit more diluted than it says in the packet in case of fertilizer burn and then gradually increase the dose throughout the spring.
For more on philodendrons see our philodendron category with all our philodendron care guides.
Soil
You want a well draining loose soil with plenty of rich organic matter in it for a philodendron like this. It must be well draining because you want to avoid root rot. If you use a standard proprietary potting compost then add about 20% perlite just to keep the soil light and to aid drainage. For more on Philodendron soil see our guide on what to buy or how to make your own: Philodendron Soil.
When To Repot
Repot it once a year even if you keep it the same pot size just to refresh the soil. Check it in spring and pot it up a size if it needs it, so that it grows into it’s new pot and has plenty of space over the coming growing months.
How To Propagate Philodendron Ring Of Fire
The easiest way to propagate a philodendron ring of fire is with a stem cutting. Take a cutting with at least one node and one leaf and let it callous over for about an hour or two before potting it up into a cup of wet sphagnum moss. Use the sharpest knife you can when making the cut as they can be quite tough when mature. Then keep the cup in a warm humid place and put it in a clear plastic bag to keep it humid. Put that next to a bright windowsill just to the side so it’s out of direct sun. It takes anywhere between one to two months to root and then you can pot it up into soil once it’s fully rooted.
Humidity
A philodendron ring of fire will do well in the normal household humidity range. But it will do best at the high end of that range like 50 or even 60%, so if you can up the humidity with a humidifier or pebble tray you will get the best out of this plant. But if you can’t it should be fine in most places of your home down to 40% humidity it will be OK..
Tip: Keep them humid, at least 60% in the day and they’ll be ok with a bit less at night. You can buy a digital thermometer hygrometer (affiliate link) to keep an eye on maximum and minimum levels.
Temperature
The ideal temperature range for a philodendron ring of fire is 15-27°C (approx. 60-80°F).
Philodendron Ring Of Fire USDA Zone
Zones 9-11
Philodendron Ring Of Fire Price
At time of writing the current price in Europe is 50-150 Euros and about 60-180 USD in North America. They are coming in down in price and you do find deals on Etsy.
Philodendron Ring Of Fire Aurea
The philodendron ring of fire aurea is a really bright, almost neon colored version of the ring of fire. It is beautiful and highly in demand, the care requirements are almost exactly the same as the standard plant you just need to be careful of light because it needs sunlight or the bright color can fade but if it gets too much direct sun it will burn and easily show on those leaves.
Philodendron Ring Of Fire Vs Jungle Boogie
The ring of fire is a variegated philodendron jungle boogie, so they are very similar except for leaf color.
Philodendron Ring Of Fire Vs Serratum
The philodendron serratum is similar to the ring of fire, but put out all-range new leaves which harden off to light green over time.
Philodendron Ring Of Fire Vs Caramel Marble
The philodendron caramel marble has slightly wider leaves and a browner, more creamy variegation especially on the new leaves.
Where To Buy
Try one of these Rare Plant Shops. Or Etsy.
Other Names
It is also know as ring of fire plant. It has sometimes been called ‘Hendersons Pride’ commercially after Keith Henderson who is responsible for the hybrid.
Philodendron Ring Of Fire Scientific Name
It is a hybrid of the tortum and wendlandii philodendrons so has been called p. wendlandii x p. tortum.
Philodendron Ring Of Fire Care FAQs and Common Problems
Be careful of overwatering which can cause yellowing leaves and root rot which could kill the plant. Also check the plant for pests like aphids when watering.
Is Philodendron Ring Of Fire Variegation Stable?
The variegation is relatively stable. They hardly ever revert and fade to green. Make sure you keep them well lit, and well looked after and they should keep their variegation.
Can Philodendron Ring Of Fire Revert?
They can revert occasionally and turn green. If yours does revert then move it closer to brighter indirect sunlight.
Does Philodendron Ring Of Fire Climb?
Yes, the philodendron ring of fire is climbing philodendron.
Are They Toxic To Cats?
They are mildly to moderately toxic to cats and dogs in ingested, as they contain calcium oxalate. Seek vets advice if your pets eat any.
Do They Flower?
Yes they can flower, they put out a colored sheath and large spadix in the center.
Additional Resources
Buy: we recommend a digital thermometer hygrometer (amazon affiliate link) to measure humidity.
Other Articles You Might Like
You might also like our other articles: Philodendron Florida Ghost, Philodendron Pedatum, Philodendron Billietiae.
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