Hi, I am

Ruben

WHO'S

THIS

Guy?

Hi! My name is Ruben.

My Latin name is the Philodendron Erubescens, but I am also called the Red Emerald. I am a member of the large Philodendron family and am a really strong plant, you won't get me broken easily. With my green leaves and red stems I get a lot of attention. I am a real gem!

I come from very far away, which is South America! Here I am a fast grower in the rain forests. I am a real climber and used to growing up against trees in the rain forest. Hence, I also grow up against a stick - this is where I feel most at home.

Quick guide

meetlint
Height: 80 CM
plantenpot
Diameter: 19 CM
zon
Placement: Semi-sun
water
Water: frequent, lukewarm water
air cleaning
Air purifying
do not eat
Toxic, not for consumption
schaar
Cut away old leaves
voeding
fertilize twice a month, not during winter
Monstera blad

MORE INFO

  • Where should you place me?
  • I am not very fond of the sun, so feel free to put me in a spot further away from the window! I really don't like direct sunlight, so avoid this as much as possible. Put me in a place without a draft, because I don't like this.

  • How much water do I drink?
  • I like a slightly moist soil and prefer not to dry out. Be careful with too moist soil, though, because I can't stand this very well. Never give me too much water, as this causes root rot. Regular sips of lukewarm water are enough for me. This does vary by season: in winter I drink less than in summer, because it is warmer and lighter in summer. Also, the brighter the location, the more I drink. Give me water from below, it's better for my roots and this also reduces the chance of bugs. Also, this way I can absorb the amount of water I need. You may give the rest of the water, after I have been drinking for 15 minutes, to another plant. In between, you can feel with your finger how wet the soil is. Does soil stick to your finger after you put it in the potting soil? Then I still have enough water. Is your finger dry and clean? Then give me something to drink. Also, feel free to lift me up. Am I heavy like a tree? Then I have enough to drink. Am I light as a leaf? Then I could use a sip. Cheers!

  • How much fertilizer do I need?
  • I like to get fertilizer during the period from March to September, which is also called the growing season. During this period, I think fertilizing twice a month is enough. Always stick to the recommended amount described on the package to avoid root rot caused by too much fertilizer. Outside of the growing season, I do not need plant fertilizer as I am dormant then.

  • When do I need to be repotted?
  • If you have just bought me, you don’t need to repot me for the first few months. I need all the energy I have to adjust to my new environment. You can, of course, put me in a decorative pot. After the first repotting session, I’d like a new pot every two years that is 20% bigger than my previous pot. Please repot me in Spring, this is when I’m at my strongest. I also like fresh potting soil, because this is filled with nutrients that I need to grow. Sometimes, it happens that I go through a major growth spurt and need a new pot sooner. You can check if I need a new pot by checking my roots. Do they grow out of the bottom of the pot? Then you can repot me sooner.

    It is very important to plant me in an inner pot first before putting me in a decorative pot. Thus, you can check if you’ve overwatered me by checking if there is water on the bottom of the decorative pot. You can also easily water me from the bottom.

  • When do I need to be pruned?
  • I can grow nice and fast, but you don't really need to prune me. Do you think I'm getting too tall, or would you like me to grow fuller? Then cut off my long tendrils or shorten my main stem. That way I will grow back fuller! Always do this with clean, sharp scissors and in the spring, when I am at my strongest.

  • What is my superpower?
  • I am a real air purifier! Thus, I make sure that the room I am standing in is provided with clean air. I do this by converting the CO2 in the air into oxygen. This gives you a boost of energy, focus and creativity.

  • Did you know that...
  • I am a real climber! That's why I grow against a moss pole.  

  • Am I edible?
  • No, I am not edible.

I am not very fond of the sun, so feel free to put me in a spot further away from the window! I really don't like direct sunlight, so avoid this as much as possible. Put me in a place without a draft, because I don't like this.

I like a slightly moist soil and prefer not to dry out. Be careful with too moist soil, though, because I can't stand this very well. Never give me too much water, as this causes root rot. Regular sips of lukewarm water are enough for me. This does vary by season: in winter I drink less than in summer, because it is warmer and lighter in summer. Also, the brighter the location, the more I drink. Give me water from below, it's better for my roots and this also reduces the chance of bugs. Also, this way I can absorb the amount of water I need. You may give the rest of the water, after I have been drinking for 15 minutes, to another plant. In between, you can feel with your finger how wet the soil is. Does soil stick to your finger after you put it in the potting soil? Then I still have enough water. Is your finger dry and clean? Then give me something to drink. Also, feel free to lift me up. Am I heavy like a tree? Then I have enough to drink. Am I light as a leaf? Then I could use a sip. Cheers!

I like to get fertilizer during the period from March to September, which is also called the growing season. During this period, I think fertilizing twice a month is enough. Always stick to the recommended amount described on the package to avoid root rot caused by too much fertilizer. Outside of the growing season, I do not need plant fertilizer as I am dormant then.

If you have just bought me, you don’t need to repot me for the first few months. I need all the energy I have to adjust to my new environment. You can, of course, put me in a decorative pot. After the first repotting session, I’d like a new pot every two years that is 20% bigger than my previous pot. Please repot me in Spring, this is when I’m at my strongest. I also like fresh potting soil, because this is filled with nutrients that I need to grow. Sometimes, it happens that I go through a major growth spurt and need a new pot sooner. You can check if I need a new pot by checking my roots. Do they grow out of the bottom of the pot? Then you can repot me sooner.

It is very important to plant me in an inner pot first before putting me in a decorative pot. Thus, you can check if you’ve overwatered me by checking if there is water on the bottom of the decorative pot. You can also easily water me from the bottom.

I can grow nice and fast, but you don't really need to prune me. Do you think I'm getting too tall, or would you like me to grow fuller? Then cut off my long tendrils or shorten my main stem. That way I will grow back fuller! Always do this with clean, sharp scissors and in the spring, when I am at my strongest.

I am a real air purifier! Thus, I make sure that the room I am standing in is provided with clean air. I do this by converting the CO2 in the air into oxygen. This gives you a boost of energy, focus and creativity.

I am a real climber! That's why I grow against a moss pole.  

No, I am not edible.

Fave spot

Where should you place me?

A place where I don't feel direct sunlight on my leaves, this is where I feel most comfortable. However, I do like to get some daylight, so put me a few meters away from a window. This way I get enough light, but no sunlight.

Plant care

Medic heart

What do I like?

Give me some lukewarm water regularly, but be careful not to give too much! The darker I stand, the less I drink. Twice a month I like some fertilizer, but only during the growing season!

Adopt Rainforest

Plantanious works together with the Work with Nature foundation. Our tropical rainforests are disappearing at a rapid pace and an enormous biodiversity is being lost along with the trees. If it were up to us, the jaguar would soon walk around again in the rainforest in Costa Rica protected by 'Adopt Rainforest'! The place where many of our special plants originate. In order to make an important contribution to the goal of the foundation - to protect 2,000 hectares of rainforest in the next ten years - we donate part of our turnover to protect part of the tropical rainforest. To achieve their goal, the foundation puts money into protection, conservation, reforestation, education and research.