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Growing Inspiration
Inspiration for future Agardeni growing environments.
ornamentalFamily: AraceaeGenus: PhilodendronSpecies: black
Cultivar
Black Cardinal Philodendron
Philodendron black
This popular philodendron cultivar is noted for its beautiful, broad leaves that emerge a warm bronze-red before maturing into a deep, glossy mahogany or black. Its compact, upright growth habit makes it a perfect specimen for containers, desks, or as a focal point in bright, indirect light. Unlike vining types, 'Black Cardinal' maintains a clumping, self-heading form that remains neat as it matures. It is highly valued by indoor gardeners for its unique dark coloration and relatively low-maintenance care requirements.
Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' is a striking tropical foliage plant prized for its dramatic, dark copper-to-nearly-black heart-shaped leaves. It is an excellent choice for adding sophisticated, moody color to indoor spaces or shaded tropical gardens.
Marketplace packs coming soon
Current nursery inventory and 18 / 36 / 72 pricing will appear here when available.
Cultivar Story
Start with Inspiration. Grow Your Aspiration.
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Marketplace Plant
A realistic representation of the starter plants offered in 18, 36, and 72 plant quantities.
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Aspirational Garden
Grow your aspirational plan into an inspirational garden.
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Plant Detail
A closer look at the fruit, flower, foliage, or mature defining characteristics of this cultivar.
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Repotting / Start Growing
Begin with a starter plant and establish it in a larger pot using quality potting soil with beneficials and fertilizer.
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Start · Plan · Grow
Start with real plants. Plan with current marketplace availability. Grow your aspirational garden.
Cultivar Video
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Cultivar Video Coming Soon
See this cultivar from starter plant to aspirational garden.
Plant Profile
Grow Black Cardinal Philodendron with confidence
Key growing information first, with the complete reviewed cultivar profile available when you want it.
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Sun
Bright, indirect light.
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Water
Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid keeping the soil soggy, as this can lead to root rot.
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Mature size
24 to 36 inches tall and wide.
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Hardiness
10-11
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Growth habit
Upright, self-heading.
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Plant type
tropical foliage plant
View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
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View Plant Data
Care, size, flowering, climate, soil, health, and additional reviewed data.
Good to know
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Growing note
For best color expression, provide bright, filtered indirect light. Excessive direct sun can scorch the leaves, while too little light may cause the foliage to lose its dark, rich pigment.
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Climate note
Thrives in temperatures between 65°F and 85°F. Protect from frost and cold drafts.
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Flower / fruit
May occasionally produce spathe-and-spadix flowers typical of aroids, though it is primarily grown for its foliage.
Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Growing & Care
Everyday care, growth, feeding, and pruning guidance.
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Sun / light
Bright, indirect light.
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Growth rate
Moderate.
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Fertilizer
Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength monthly during the active growing season.
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Pruning
Regularly wipe leaves with a damp cloth to keep them dust-free and prune away any damaged or yellowing lower leaves at the base.
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Care notes
For best color expression, provide bright, filtered indirect light. Excessive direct sun can scorch the leaves, while too little light may cause the foliage to lose its dark, rich pigment.
Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Size & Habit
How the plant grows and the space it needs at maturity.
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Mature size
24 to 36 inches tall and wide.
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Growth habit
Upright, self-heading.
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Spacing
24 to 30 inches apart.
Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flower / Fruit
Flowering, fruiting, pollination, bloom, and harvest behavior.
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Flowering / fruiting
May occasionally produce spathe-and-spadix flowers typical of aroids, though it is primarily grown for its foliage.
Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Climate & Hardiness
Cold, heat, chill, and regional growing considerations.
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Hardiness zones
10-11
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Temperature
Thrives in temperatures between 65°F and 85°F. Protect from frost and cold drafts.
Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Soil & Water
Moisture, drainage, soil, and pH preferences.
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Watering
Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. Avoid keeping the soil soggy, as this can lead to root rot.
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Soil
Well-draining, airy aroid potting mix containing peat, perlite, and bark.
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Soil pH
5.5-6.5
More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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More Plant Data
19 additional reviewed fields from this Plant.id.
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Container Growing
Highly suitable for container growing. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent standing water.
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Family
Araceae
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Foliage Look
Glossy, dark burgundy-to-black, heart-shaped leaves with distinct veining.
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Foliage Rules
Leaves are broad and heart-shaped, darkening from bronze-green to dark mahogany-black as they mature.
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Fruit Flower Look
Insignificant, cream-colored spathe flower typical of Philodendrons, rarely produced in interiors.
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Fruit Flower Rules
Flowering is rare in indoor conditions and should not be expected on starter-stage plants.
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Growth Habit Rules
Maintain an upright, non-vining aesthetic; do not depict as a trailer.
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Mature Plant Look
Sophisticated, upright clumping plant with broad, dark foliage providing deep contrast.
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Mature Stage Morphology
Large, leathery, elliptic-ovate leaves; thick, sturdy central stem; clumping habit.
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Morphology Rules
Ensure foliage is glossy and the plant form is upright and clumping.
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Plant Faqs
How much light does a Black Cardinal Philodendron need? It prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its signature dark leaf color. Is this plant pet-friendly? No, like other philodendrons, it is toxic if ingested by pets. How often should I water my Philodendron? Water when the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch.
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Root Look
Healthy, white-to-tan fibrous roots visible within a plug structure.
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Soil Look
Dark, rich, well-draining soil with visible aeration particles like perlite.
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Starter Stage
Young starter plants appear as small, clumping rosettes with bronze-tinted leaves that darken as they grow.
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Starter Stage Morphology
Compact, soft petioles with juvenile heart-shaped leaves; developing root system.
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Video Voiceover Script
Welcome to Agardeni, where inspiration for gardening helps us imagine how and where we will grow Black Cardinal Philodendron. This is Black Cardinal Philodendron, available as 18, 36, and 72 plant starter trays through the Agardeni Marketplace. Let this striking plant become part of your aspirational plan, helping you imagine the refined indoor foliage environment you want to create. The defining feature is the spectacular, broad foliage that transitions from a soft bronze to a deep, glossy mahogany and near-black. Establish the starter plug in a four-inch pot with quality, well-draining mix, then later move it to an appropriate final container or in-ground location when established. Find your inspiration with Agardeni. Explore real plants and real availability. Start. Plan. Grow.
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Youtube Tags
Philodendron Black Cardinal Tropical Plants Houseplants Indoor Gardening Foliage Plants Aroids Agardeni Plant Care Container Gardening
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Youtube Video Summary
The Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' is a prized tropical foliage plant defined by its deep, mahogany-colored leaves and upright, clumping habit. It makes an ideal addition to any indoor container garden where bold, dark color is desired.
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Youtube Video Title
Growing the Sophisticated Philodendron 'Black Cardinal'
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Future Buyer Brand Sellers
Possible future seller options for 2.5-inch, 4-inch, and 1-gallon finished plants.