SKU: 6342902664
black imperial philodendron

black imperial philodendron Philodendron Black Cardinal

Sale price$22.83 Regular price$25.37
Save 10%

Pay in installments of $6.34 with ShopPay, AfterPay and Klarna

Shipping Estimate
USA
  • USA
  • CAN

Ships within 48 hours · Estimated delivery Aug 3 - Aug 8

Promo Codes Available:

For Your Every Summer RSVP, with Code: SUMMER15

Description

black imperial philodendron Philodendron Black CardinalPhilodendron 'Black Cardinal' Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' is a compact self heading Philodendron grown for deep red to black red foliage. New leaves emerge brick red, then mature into a darker, near black red tone. The plant keeps a dense rosette like shape and stays compact in a pot. Selected from an Orlando area hybridising programme and patented in 1984 as a Cora McColley cultivar, Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' is known for broad, thick, leathery

Philodendron 'Black Cardinal'

Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' is a compact self-heading Philodendron grown for deep red to black-red foliage. New leaves emerge brick red, then mature into a darker, near-black red tone. The plant keeps a dense rosette-like shape and stays compact in a pot.

Selected from an Orlando-area hybridising programme and patented in 1984 as a Cora McColley cultivar, Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' is known for broad, thick, leathery leaves, depressed veining, brick-red immature foliage, and mature black-red colour.

Black Cardinal traits for indoor pots

  • Growth habit: Compact self-heading Philodendron with short internodes and a dense rosette-like form.
  • Leaf colour: Juvenile leaves open brick red and mature to a dark black-red finish.
  • Leaf texture: Broad, thick, leathery foliage with prominent depressed veining.
  • Plant shape: Forms a compact central crown with short petioles and closely held foliage.
  • Indoor habit: Dense growth and dark foliage keep the plant compact, full, and easy to manage in a pot.

Self-heading growth and dark leaves

Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' builds from a compact central crown, with leaves held on short internodes. The short, thick petioles keep the foliage close to the plant’s centre, giving the cultivar its dense, rounded shape.

The colour shift is clear as each leaf matures. Fresh foliage opens red, then darkens quickly as the leaf hardens. Mature plants hold a deep black-red tone across the older leaves.

Growing Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' indoors

  • Light: Provide bright indirect light to maintain healthy compact growth. Direct midday sun can scorch or dull the leaves.
  • Watering: Water when the upper part of the substrate has dried. The thick roots need moisture followed by good drainage.
  • Substrate: Use an airy aroid mix with bark, coco coir or chips, perlite, pumice, and a modest moisture-holding component.
  • Drainage: Use a pot with drainage holes. The crown and lower roots should not sit in heavy, stagnant substrate.
  • Humidity: Average indoor humidity is usually tolerated, but moderate to higher humidity supports cleaner new leaf expansion.
  • Temperature: Keep warm, ideally 18–28°C. Avoid cold wet conditions around the crown and lower roots.
  • Feeding: Feed lightly during active growth. A steady nutrient supply supports dense foliage without soft, stretched growth.
  • Repotting: Repot when roots fill the pot or the crown becomes unstable. Choose a pot only slightly larger.
  • Pruning: Remove fully yellowed or damaged leaves close to the crown with clean tools.
  • Semi-hydroponics: Can adapt to airy mineral substrates if roots are cleaned carefully and the crown stays above the wet zone.
  • Propagation: Propagate from a division or stem section with a viable node and growth point; a single detached leaf will not regrow into a plant.

Common issues with Philodendron 'Black Cardinal'

  • Yellow lower leaves: Check for excess moisture in the lower pot. Improve aeration and let the substrate dry further before watering.
  • Soft crown or base: Often points to cold wet substrate or poor drainage. Inspect the crown and roots before damage spreads.
  • Faded new leaves: Check light, feeding, and root health. Weak growth can open with less depth of colour.
  • Brown patches: Look for sun scorch first, then check undersides and petioles for pests such as thrips, mites, scale, or mealybugs.
  • Loose, stretched shape: Increase bright filtered light and rotate the pot so the rosette develops evenly.

Keeping the plant compact

Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' keeps its compact shape through a self-heading habit, short internodes, and closely held foliage. Steady light, controlled watering, and a stable root ball help the crown stay dense as new leaves develop.

Remove only fully yellowed or damaged leaves. Healthy dark foliage supports the next flush of growth, and heavy pruning can temporarily reduce the plant’s dense shape.

Pet and child safety

Place Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' away from pets and children. Its tissues contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the mouth, throat, digestive tract, and sensitive skin. Wash hands after pruning, and keep cut plant parts out of reach.

Philodendron genus and cultivar background

Philodendron belongs to the Araceae family. The genus name is commonly translated as “tree-loving”, though cultivated Philodendron can be climbing, creeping, rosette-forming, or self-heading depending on their background. Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' was patented in 1984 as a Cora McColley cultivar from an Orlando-area hybridising programme.

Choose Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' for a compact self-heading Philodendron with broad leathery leaves, brick-red new growth, and mature black-red foliage.

Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 6342902664

Discover Niche Categories That Outsell black imperial philodendron

Top-Converting Item to Boost Your Average Order

4.8 ★★★★★
Based on 23 reviews
Sort
Highest Rating
Newest First
Oldest First
Product Reviews
O
Verified Purchase
Orange Monkey
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 5
Short accessible great read on one of the most beautiful beings this world has yet seen
Format: Audiobook
This is a very short, quick-paced story of the beautiful heart-mind that was called Gandhi. It does a great job at getting at the essence of Gandhi (depending of course on your already built paradigm and the glasses you are wearing). Highly recommended along with his Autobiography - I read his autobiography and watched the movie before reading this one, possibly the other way around works too. He is such an inspiration! Great few hours spent. And to come back to.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2026
G
Verified Purchase
Grace
San Leandro, US
★★★★★ 5
Brilliant
Format: Paperback
Of many books about Gandi that I have read, I find that this one really follows and details not just his political beliefs and his many professional and family activities, but his development as a spiritual leader as well and lots of photos. It's a beautiful book and I plan to buy more copies as gifts.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on August 8, 2024
D
Verified Purchase
Deborah B.
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 4
Phenomenal Strength of Character
Format: Kindle
I would probably give this 5 stars, but I'm not quite finished reading it. The transformation that Gandhi achieved and the impact it has had on the world is stunning. if we all had Gandhi's will power and selfless purpose, what a kind, caring world we would live in. The book gives incredible insight into the mind of an incredible human being.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2014
A
Verified Purchase
Amzn Customer
Belleville, US
★★★★★ 5
Lovely story
Format: Paperback
You can get this book for free if you borrow from the library.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on December 22, 2025
R
Verified Purchase
Ravi
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Good insight into Mahatma Gandhi as a person
Format: Kindle
I've read the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi and have learnt a lot about him growing up in India. In spite of all my knowledge on him, I find this book an interesting read for it provides an insight into his personal advancement from a struggling lawyer to the Father of a Nation. It was inspiring to learn how he overcame each shortcoming and tried to live his life with honesty, integrity and transparency until his death. My only complaint with the book is that it is a bit short. It was a quick read. But, the content was good.
WAS THIS REVIEW HELPFUL?YesReportShare
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2011

recommand products