Philodendron Red Anderson

Philodendron ‘Red Anderson’ is a rare variety, highly sought after for its variegated foliage in red, green, and cream and its burgundy stems. This exotic houseplant evokes the lushness of tropical undergrowth. Climbing yet compact, this variegated philodendron can be grown in a pot with a support. It is a collector's variety to be displayed prominently in the living room, office, or conservatory.

Philodendron ‘Red Anderson’, sometimes sold under the name Philodendron ‘Anderson’s Red’ variegata, is a recent hybrid whose exact parentage remains debated. It belongs to the group of red-stemmed philodendrons close to Philodendron erubescens, native to the humid forests of Colombia and more broadly the tropical regions of Central and South America. The Philodendron genus comprises more than 600 species of tropical climbers and epiphytes, naturally established in the shade of large trees.

In a pot, ‘Red Anderson’ adopts an upright and climbing habit, its aerial roots readily cling to a moss pole. Its growth is rather slow to moderate: under good conditions, the plant reaches 1 m to 1.50 m in height over a few years, with a spread of 60 to 80 cm. The deep burgundy red stems bear alternate, leathery leaves, ovate-elongate in shape, ending in a point, measuring 10 to 20 cm long. Young leaves emerge in coppery red or Burgundy, then shade to glossy dark green as they unfurl. Their surface shows an irregular variegation of creamy white to ivory, mixed with very pale pink leaning towards grey-pink. Depending on the specimen, the colour distribution varies: fine marbling, large light patches, or leaves almost entirely green or light. This variability is linked to its nature as a variegated sport, and each leaf presents a different pattern. The veins are well-marked, accentuated by the contrast between the dark green and light areas; the petioles retain a dark red hue that enhances the decorative character of the plant. Flowering, typical of Araceae (a spadix surrounded by a spathe), is rare and insignificant indoors; Philodendron ‘Red Anderson’ is cultivated for the beauty of its foliage.
Like all philodendrons, this plant is toxic to humans and pets if ingested, due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals.

In our homes, it appreciates bright light without direct sun, a humid atmosphere (around 60% or more), and stable temperatures between 18 and 26 °C, never below 15 °C. Overall, this philodendron is of intermediate difficulty: it remains robust if overwatering and overly dry air are avoided, but its variegation makes it slightly more sensitive to lack of light than all-green varieties.

Philodendron ‘Red Anderson’ will thrive in a bright living room, office, temperate conservatory, or a bathroom with a window, where the room's natural humidity will benefit it. This plant creates a true visual anchor point in a room. Place it on a side table or in a ceramic pot, near an east or north-facing window, and guide it onto a moss pole made of coconut fibre. It creates a beautiful tropical scene alongside other Philodendrons such as ‘Pink Princess’ and ‘White Wizard’, a Monstera adansonii or a Syngonium ‘Maria Allusion’. Their variegated foliage and climbing or trailing habits create a pleasantly colourful little jungle.