Philodendron Ring of Fire Beginners Growing Guide

The remarkable ‘Philodendron Ring of Fire’ is one of the most sought-after species of Philodendron. The lovely tropical plant does not have two, three, or even four colors; rather, it is a rare mix of five vibrant colors that appear at different times of the growing season and in different parts of the plant.

The Philodendron Ring of Fire is a unique plant that is gaining a lot of attention all around the world due to its unique appearance and rarity. The fiery, spiky leaves of this plant, which range in color from sunset orange, pink, and red to green and white variegated, are where the name of this plant get its origin. The variation of colors and varied textures of the plant are found in within the leaf of this fire plant.

The wonderful Philodendron Ring of Fire is a slow growing plant, but it is well worth the wait once it develops. It thrives in rich organic soils, such as aroid potting mixes, and prefers humidity levels between 30 and 60 percent. It favors moderately shaded places and likes to be fertilized every three months. The best method to maintain the health of this gem is to keep it away from overly moist soil.

The Philodendron Ring of Fire plant was formerly known as “Henderson’s Pride,” after Keith Henderson. This moniker is given to a different plant that does not have vivid coloring and leaves that are more deeply serrated. Because it is a hybrid, the only method of reproduction is through various forms of propagation.

It is claimed that the tropical beauty is a cross between Philodendron Wendlandii and Philodendron Tortum.

50+ Most Popular Philodendron Species to add to your collection (2021)

Is Ring of Fire Philodendron rare?

The Ring of Fire Philodendron is a rare plant that originates from tropical regions of the world.

The Ring of Fire Philodendron is a member of the Araceae plant family, more frequently referred to as aroids.

These leafy green plants are easily identifiable by their enormous dark green leaves. Philodendrons are critical to rainforest ecosystems, and they require a habitat that is as near to their native habitat as possible. The big green leaves and contrastingly pale veins of philodendrons make them an eye-catching focal point in both nature and the house.

Is the growth pattern of the Ring of Fire Philodendron a climber or a creeper, or both?

The Ring of Fire philodendron is epiphytic, hemi-epiphytic, and terrestrial. This truly rare philodendron has a combination of growth patterns. Expect numerous aerial roots to sprout from the climbing or trailing stems. Soil roots can also sprout from trailing and climbing stems that find their way to fresh soil.

How to care for a Philodendron ‘Ring of Fire’?

These tropical Aroids are simple to grow. Simply follow the specified instructions, and they will flourish without requiring much effort on your part.

Soil

Philodendrons do best in loose, well-drained soil type high in organic matter. They will grow in 100 percent sphagnum peat moss. Peat-vermiculite or peat-perlite mixes, for example, are also suitable. You might want to inquire about the definition of well-drained soil. A well-drained soil allows water to flow in and out at a moderate rate.

When a plant’s soil is saturated with too much water, the plant’s oxygen absorption from the soil is reduced, leading to death.

If you want a nice result, you shouldn’t utilize garden soil for your indoor planting.

Garden soil may include disease organisms, weed seeds and is not always well-drained. However, you might use a well-draining high-quality potting soil. Philodendrons require good drainage to thrive.

However, an ordinary potting mix will not suffice. You should include some other ingredients.

I recommend using about 30 to 50 percent potting mix and then adding perlite and orchid bark to the balance of the soil.

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Water

You’ll be alright if you don’t overwater your Philodendron Ring of Fire. When the top inch or two of soil dries out, you’ll need to water it again. Allowing the soil to dry out too much can cause it to shrink and draw inwards away from the planter’s sides, which is a sure symptom of this.

It won’t necessarily harm the plant if this happens a few times. When the soil shrinks away from the planter’s sides, however, water might escape and go straight to the bottom, bypassing the roots! 

The plant has likely been overwatered if you begin to see droopy leaves. Once the watering schedule is fixed, this will correct itself.

In the summer, I water more frequently, and in the winter, I let the soil dry out between waterings. Overall, they are a forgiving plant if the routine is disrupted.

In the winter, when the plant is not actively developing, you can water it less frequently—about once a month.

While Philodendron Ring of Fire is tolerant of a wide range of indoor average humidity levels, you’ll notice that when humidity levels are a little higher, the leaves grow larger and healthier. In the winter, I keep mine in a small bathroom that gets midday light and all of the pleasant humidity that comes with showers!

Light

Philodendron Ring of Fire plants, like many other philodendrons, prefer strong indirect sunlight; too much direct light can burn the leaves. They can withstand slightly less light than houseplants, but their leaves will be smaller.

When the plant is not exposed to bright indirect light, it may grow stemmy or leggy. Stemmy/leggy simply implies greater space between each leaf, resulting in sparse stems.

The Philodendron Ring of Fire’s growing requirements are pretty simple, although eager growers may try (unsuccessfully) to speed up the plant’s development. Take it leisurely and appreciate the gradual and steady evolution of this lovely layout.

Temperature & Humidity

Temperatures of 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and around 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night are ideal for the Philodendron Ring of Fire. Avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures and freezing temperatures.

Philodendron Ring of Fire are native to Central America as well as Peru, Ecuador, the western parts of Brazil, and Venezuela and flourish in high humidity environments.

The atmosphere is dry during the winter months, meaning there is no water vapor present, implying a low humidity level. Plant development is extremely slow or non-existent throughout the winter.

There are several techniques to maintain a high humidity level at home, as listed below:

• Make use of a humidifier.
• Place your plant (complete with pot!) on a tray filled with damp pebbles.
• Place your plant in the bathroom (assuming it receives enough light!)
• Plants should be grouped together (if you have multiple tropical plants, position them next to each other) to improve humidity.

Growth Rate

Philodendron Ring of Fire is a slow grower similar to the philodendron Florida ghost. The spring and summer months are the most active growing seasons. As a general rule of thumb, during the winter, you shouldn’t expect much, if any, new growth.

While it may seem apparent, giving additional water or light to your plant will not speed up its sluggish development and may even harm it.

The Ring of Fire Philodendron’s plant requirements are simple, although eager growers may try (unsuccessfully) to speed up the plant’s development. Take it leisurely and appreciate the gradual and steady evolution of this lovely layout.

Fertilizing

Fertilizer is plant food. It aids in the replenishment of lost soil nutrients, supplies essential ingredients for plant growth, and aids in the maintenance of soil fertility.

Fertilizer comes in a variety of forms. We have the following:

• Liquid Fertilizer
• Granular Fertilizer
• Slow-Release fertilizers

How do you know which fertilizer is best for your needs?

As I explain, relax and make yourself a cup of coffee.

Liquid Fertilizer

Water-soluble plant food is another name for this. It’s combined with water before being used to water the plant. Liquid fertilizer promotes the growth of larger flower plants while also providing a simple and effective method of nourishing both the plant and the soil.

Liquid fertilizer gives you a lot of control over the amount you apply and ensures a uniform application. My favorite organic liquid fertilizer that I use on my houseplants is LiquiDirt.

On the other hand, liquid fertilizer is susceptible to volatilization, especially when used on outdoor plants.

Granular Fertilizer

This fertilizer is strewn across the soil. It’s more efficient for pre-plant application and easier to store.

When overfed into the soil, however, it will burn the plant’s leaves off.

Unlike liquid fertilizer, immobile nutrients like iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) may not be able to reach the plant’s root.

Slow Release Fertilizer

Slow-release fertilizers are available in various forms, including shell, piton, and capsules. It gently releases nutrients into the soil. It’s a resin-coated fertilizer that gradually adds nutrients to the soil by breaking down naturally due to water, sunlight, and soil bacteria.

Because there are fewer spaces to cover, this form of fertilizer works well in small pots. Slow-release compost relieves the stress of adding fertilizer to the soil regularly.

So, what should you feed your Philodendron Ring of Fire in terms of fertilizer?

Most houseplants do OK with a liquid fertilizer when grown inside as houseplants.

This is also true of our Philodendron Ring of Fire.

That being said, get yourself a balanced liquid fertilizer, follow the instructions on the fertilizer, and maybe apply half of what is recommended.

Because it’s always preferable to err on the side of caution when it comes to feeding your plants. Also, remember that with the fertilizer you get what you pay for and that the heavy salts in cheaper fertilizers may harm the plant’s root systems and may even kill it.

Toxicity

All Philodendrons have a lot of calcium oxalate crystals in them. The foliage causes an allergic reaction on the lips, mouth, and esophagus when eaten.

Furthermore, they can have serious consequences for animals. As a result, keep children and pets away from these lovely plants.

Potting And Repotting

I always use a pot that drains quickly and is of good quality for my Philodendron Ring of Fire. A hanging basket or a ceramic pot are my favorites.

You must repot your Philodendron Ring of Fire if the roots become coiled in a tight ball or root bound.

It’s preferable to pick a larger pot that’s just a smidgeon bigger than the root ball. I use one that is 2-3 inches larger than the root ball.

I have found that the best time to repot is during the spring just as new growth starts to leaves appear for the growing season.

Otherwise, the plant may get root rot as a result of sitting in too much damp soil. You want to allow the plant enough space to grow and flourish without drowning it!

For me, this seemed to produce the finest outcomes.

How Much Does Philodendron Ring of Fire cost?

This beautiful plant is on the higher end of the price range for houseplants. On Etsy, smaller Philodendron Ring of fire goes for $100-150 for a nice plant in a 4 inch pot.

If you just want a nice Philodendron, the Philodendron Birkin, which has the most stunning variegation, is a good choice. Etsy also provides a large selection of them.

If you have your heart set on this heart-shaped beauty, you may seek Philodendron Ring of Fire cuttings for sale on sites like Facebook Marketplace, which may be a bit more reasonable. However, this plant may be expensive, even in cutting form, and can cost $50 or more.

Why Are Philodendron Ring Of Fire So Expensive?

Where Can I Buy A Philodendron Ring Of Fire?

You might be interested in adding a Philodendron Ring of Fire to your rare house plant collection now that you know more about it.

If shopping online is more convenient, another good option is to get a Philodendron Ring of Fire from Etsy.

How to propagate a Philodendron Ring of Fire

As part of the pant genre’s survival strategy, most (but not all) Philodendrons are for the most part easy to propagate.

Imagine if an animal breaks a portion of a plant growing and living in the canopy of a tree, another one will start growing from the broken cutting on the forest floor.

Most philodendron species can be propagated rather easily thanks to this survival characteristic. 

Initial Steps Following Purchase

The Philodendron ring of fire has diverse colored leaves, but any black spots or strange discoloration, as well as evidence of rotting on leaves, should be checked for when the plant is first introduced. The presence of pests should also be evaluated; thrips leave behind black specks on leaves, and spider mites and mealybugs feed on the sides of leaves.

Examine the root structure of your new plant by inverting it and examining its roots. If there is evidence of deterioration on the roots, cut off the damaged sections with a sterile knife or shears.

Because this plant grows so slowly, it can remain in a container for a very long period. Consequently, invest sensibly and select one with sufficient drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.

Placement – Since the Philodendron ring of fire appreciates ordinary room temperatures and humidity, it may be placed in a variety of rooms without worry. However, the plant is mildly toxic. Keep out of the reach of young children and pets.