Black Cardinal - Philodendron selloum - 1L / 14cm / Small
$25.00Philodendron 'Black Cardinal'
Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' is a bold, self-heading hybrid prized for its deep burgundy to near-black foliage and strong, upright growth. New leaves emerge with a coppery-red tone before darkening to rich chocolate-maroon, creating a striking contrast between old and new growth. Its wide, paddle-shaped leaves have a soft satin sheen and grow in a neat, layered rosette that gives the plant a sculptural, architectural presence.
Unlike trailing philodendrons, ‘Black Cardinal’ stays compact and doesn’t climb—making it perfect for desktops, side tables or floor pots in bright indoor spaces. It's low-maintenance, visually dramatic, and ideal for adding dark contrast to lush plant collections.
Toxic if ingested.
Comprehensive Care Instructions for Philodendron 'Black Cardinal'
Lighting Requirements
Indoors: Prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its deep colour. Tolerates medium light but may grow slower and produce smaller leaves. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch or fade the foliage.
Outdoors (mild climates): Grow in filtered light or full shade. Protect from strong sun and cold.
Watering Regimen
Active Growth (Spring to Autumn):
Water when the top 2–4cm of soil is dry. Keep soil lightly moist but not soggy. Ensure pot has good drainage.
Cooler Months:
Allow soil to dry a little more between waterings. Reduce frequency to match slower growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Thrives in warm temperatures between 18°C–28°C. Avoid cold drafts or temperatures below 12°C.
Prefers moderate to high humidity but tolerates average indoor conditions well. Mist occasionally in dry spaces.
Fertilizing
Feed every 4–6 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced, diluted liquid fertiliser. Hold off feeding in winter unless under grow lights.
Pruning & Maintenance
Remove old or damaged leaves at the base to keep the plant tidy. Wipe leaves gently to remove dust and enhance their dark sheen.
Repotting
Repot every 1–2 years or when rootbound. Use a chunky, free-draining aroid mix with bark, perlite and compost.
Pests & Troubleshooting
Generally pest-resistant but may attract mealybugs or fungus gnats in very damp conditions.
Pale or faded leaves may indicate too much light. Yellowing may suggest overwatering.
Important Note: Dark, Moody & Low-Fuss
Philodendron 'Black Cardinal' is a standout choice for lovers of dark foliage. Its non-climbing habit and bold, sculptural form make it ideal for modern interiors and statement containers.
Plant Size Guide
The plant in the photos is an example and an approximate guide only however we try to show an average sized example. Sizes, flowering state and colours change throughout the seasons and variation will occur. In summer & autumn, plants are often larger or the same size as than the example picture but around winter and spring, they can be a little smaller but still at a size similar to the example. We aim to update the pictures to reflect significant differences.
Plant Heights - because the plant's foliage must fit inside our Plant Cartons, the actual height of a plant's central trunk (meristem) will be shorter than the box it fits in.
Small Plants - 14cm wide nursery pot - 1 Litre volume - Plants fit in a 50cm tall box.
Medium Plants - 17cm wide pots either 2L hanging pot or 2.5L nursery pot - Plants fit in a 75cm tall box.
Large Plants - 25cm wide pot, 10L volume. Plants fit in a 100cm tall box.
XL Plants - Plants over 100cm tall in pot sizes specified, 25cm/10L or greater and are hand delivered within Auckland/Northland only.
Dispatch Times
Plant courier orders are processed Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.
North Island orders are targeted overnight delivery, South Island orders are sent on a 2-day target but these are not a guaranteed delivery timeframe.
Add 1 extra day after a public holiday as well as for rural addresses or remote towns.
Monday - We send orders placed on previous Wednesday, Thursday & Friday.
Tuesday - We send Weekend orders from previous Saturday & Sunday.
Wednesday - We send orders placed from Monday & Tuesday.
XL Plants are delivered only within urban Auckland & Whangarei and this service is for non-urgent orders. This excludes satellite destinations such as Beachlands, Pukekohe, Piha, Helensville etc and Whangarei Heads. We may deliver at any time Sunday, Monday, Wednesday or Thursday in Auckland and you need to have a sheltered accessible position for us to deliver to.
Plants in Transit
Each Small, Medium & Large plant is individually contained within its own protective cardboard Plant Carton which may be joined to other cartons in your order.
Plants typically take just a day or two to arrive, however they are usually fine in their cartons for 1-2 weeks, and many can go longer, so a few extra days are not usually cause for concern.
Whether it takes 1 or 7 days, let your plant recover from its journey by placing in gentle light and adding a little water and it will be back to its best within a couple of days. Let us know if there are any major issues via the contact page.
