Spiny Ruby Plant (Philodendron squamiferum)

What beautiful stems you have! Something a little bit different, the Philodendron squamiferum is a real beauty, with its deep ruby red stems, covered in hair like spines. A nice contrast to the red is the large, glossy green leaves that drape down almost in a Monstera fashion.  

If you’re looking to up the tropical vibe, then these will definitely be a welcome addition to your collection. 

These are relative tropical plants, and would live under the tree canopy. As a result it’s best to keep them out of direct sunlight, so avoid any harsh bright window locations. 

The Philodendron squamiferum likes fairly high humidity, so a spraying once a week would be beneficial. Don’t let the soil dry out entirely, but you can let the top layer dry out between watering.

In it’s native habitat, these can reach exponential lengths as they grow up the side of trees. In captivity, you can expect lengths of up to 150cm or so for really healthy specimens.