Moderate Tropical Toxic to pets

Red Bristle Philodendron

Philodendron squamiferum

A unique climbing philodendron distinguished by its red, hairy petioles and deeply lobed green leaves.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 7 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

60–80 %
Temperature

18–27 °C

How to care for your Red Bristle Philodendron

Everything you need to keep your Red Bristle Philodendron healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Philodendron squamiferum, the Red Bristle Philodendron, is a fascinating and eye-catching aroid. Its most notable feature is the fuzzy, red, bristly texture on its petioles (leaf stalks), which provides a striking contrast to its glossy green, five-lobed leaves. This plant is a strong climber and will greatly benefit from a moss pole or similar support, allowing its leaves to grow larger and develop their characteristic lobed shape. It thrives in warm, humid conditions with bright, indirect light.

Watering your Red Bristle Philodendron

Every 7 days

Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Ensure good drainage.

How to know it needs water

Soil is dry to the touch
Pot feels light

How much light a Red Bristle Philodendron needs

Bright indirect light

Bright, indirect light. Avoid low light or direct sun.

Direct sun tolerated: 0 to 2 h a day
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, South-east, North-west

Humidity and misting

60–80 %

High (60-80%) Regular misting or a humidifier is recommended to maintain high humidity.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Feed during the growing season (spring to early fall).

Recommended feed: Liquid houseplant fertilizer, half strength · 9-3-6

Repotting your Red Bristle Philodendron

Every 18 months

Repot into a slightly larger container with fresh, airy potting mix. Provide a moss pole.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, pine bark, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Rootbound
Stunted growth

Pruning your Red Bristle Philodendron

To manage size or remove yellowing leaves. Cut stems above a node using clean, sharp pruning shears.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 8 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 6 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Toxicity

Contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation if ingested.

Good to know

Its most distinctive feature is the red, bristly petioles (leaf stems), which give it its common name.
The leaves are lobed, maturing into a deeply dissected shape, resembling an oak leaf.

Frequently asked questions about the Red Bristle Philodendron

How do you care for a Red Bristle Philodendron?

Water it every 7 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 60–80 %. Ideal temperature: 18–27 °C. Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Ensure good drainage.

How often should you water a Red Bristle Philodendron?

Every 7 days Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry. Ensure good drainage. How to know it needs water : Soil is dry to the touch ; Pot feels light.

How much light does a Red Bristle Philodendron need?

Bright indirect light Bright, indirect light. Avoid low light or direct sun. 0 to 2 h a day

Is the Red Bristle Philodendron toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. Contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation if ingested. Keep it out of reach of your pets and call a vet if any is swallowed.

Why are my Red Bristle Philodendron leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Red Bristle Philodendron?

Repot every 18 months, ideally in spring. Repot into a slightly larger container with fresh, airy potting mix. Provide a moss pole.