Philodendron Ring of Fire

Well, that's the Johnny Cash song stuck in my head for the rest of the day after writing this. The Philodendron Ring of Fire is an absolute show-off. It looks like someone took a pair of jagged craft scissors to a regular plant, and the results are stunning. The long, deeply serrated leaves emerge in fiery shades of sunset orange, brick red, and pale pink before slowly hardening off to a mottled, speckled green and yellow.

Because it’s a Philodendron, it is surprisingly easy-going despite looking like a high-maintenance diva. It will eventually want to climb, so giving it a moss pole or support will encourage those leaves to get massive.

How to keep it happy:

• Light: This is the secret to the fire. It needs bright, indirect light to push out those crazy orange and red colours. If you stick it in a dark corner, it will survive, but the new leaves will just be a boring, solid green.

• Water: Let the top half of the soil dry out completely before you water it again. It likes a good drink, but it absolutely hates sitting in a soggy pot.

• Feed: A weak dose of liquid fertiliser once a month during the spring and summer will keep the colours punching.

Troubleshooting:

• Losing its colour? If the new leaves are coming out plain green and the variegation is fading, it is begging for more sunlight. Move it closer to a window (just keep it out of the harsh midday sun).

• Crispy brown edges? This usually means the air in your flat is too dry, or you are letting the soil turn to literal dust between waterings. Group it with other plants to raise the humidity, or give it a mist.

Pet Safety:  Not Pet Safe. Like all Philodendrons, the leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals which are toxic to cats and dogs. Keep this beauty out of reach of curious teeth.