Philodendron 'Choco Empress' 12cm
Normal price
€13,50
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The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Philodendron bipinnatifidum ‘Choco Empress’ — Philodendron
Family: Araceae • Pot diameter: 12 cm • Height: 25 cm
Every leaf brings a change of mood—from chocolate to deep green
A self-heading aroid with deeply pinnatifid, sculptural leaves. New leaves emerge in chocolate/copper tones and darken to rich green as they mature. An ideal statement piece for bright indoor spaces.
Araceae Evergreen Bright indirect light Moderate care Self-heading • Lobed
Light
🌤️ Bright indirect
More light = a stronger chocolate flush
Watering
💧 50–70% dry
Do not keep the growing medium constantly wet
Temperature
🌡️ 18–28°C
Avoid <15°C
Growing medium
🌱 Aroid mix
bark + peat + perlite + pumice
What makes it special
- ✨ Chocolate-coloured new growth that matures to deep green
- 🖼️ Deeply pinnatifid, sculptural leaf geometry
- 📸 A statement look with an elegant character
Ideal uses
- 🏡 A centrepiece in a bright living room/office
- 🧱 On a stand to show off the canopy
- 🌿 Tropical arrangements in warm, earthy tones
Where to place it
Bright indirect light (north- or east-facing window). Water when 50–70% of the mix dries; empty the saucer. A stable temperature >18°C, humidity of 50–60% and an airy, chunky mix.
Plants to pair it with
- Ficus elastica ‘Burgundy’—dark, glossy volume that highlights the chocolate tones
- Calathea orbifolia —broad, silver-green leaves to balance the sculptural form
- Philodendron ‘Burle Marx’—clean, lance-shaped lines for a calm, modern arrangement
Cultivar origin
The complex Philodendron bipinnatifidum (often classified today as Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum) originates in South America and grows as a self-supporting, tree-like aroid with aerial roots and a thick trunk.
The cultivated form ‘Choco Empress’ was selected for its chocolate flush on young leaves and its deeply pinnatifid geometry. Stabilised through selective propagation and propagated vegetatively by node cuttings or in vitro to retain its traits.
1) Growing medium & pot: A very airy aroid mix (bark/peat/perlite/pumice). A pot with plenty of holes.
2) Watering: When 50–70% of the mix dries; avoid prolonged wetness and standing water.
3) Form & colour: Plenty of indirect light emphasises copper tones; turn the pot slightly for symmetry.
| 🔎 Item | Information |
|---|---|
| 🌿 Species | Philodendron bipinnatifidum ‘Choco Empress’ |
| 🪴 Pot/Size | 12 cm • height 25 cm |
| ☀️ Light | Bright indirect light (avoid direct sun) |
| 💧 Watering | When 50–70% of the growing medium has dried |
| 🌡️ Temperature | 18–28°C (avoid <15°C) |
| 📈 Growth | Self-heading, slow to moderate • sculptural canopy |
| ⚠️ Toxicity | Toxic (calcium oxalate crystals)—keep away from children & pets |
💡 Tip: Repot into a pot just 2 cm wider every 12–18 months; an oversized pot traps moisture.
🤔 Did you know? At maturity it forms a trunk with aerial roots and can exceed 1.5 m indoors with proper care.
Why you’ll love it
Chocolate-coloured new growth, deeply lobed leaves and a bold, self-supporting canopy bring an elegant tropical character to the room.
🧠 Greenleaf for plant nerds—scientific facts nobody asked for
Group Philodendron/Thaumatophyllum. The leaves are deeply pinnatifid, not bipinnate, with a strong geniculum on the petiole; self-heading, with aerial roots. The chocolate colouring is associated with anthocyanins in young leaves.
How do I keep the canopy compact and symmetrical?
Plenty of indirect light, rotate the pot every 2 weeks and pinch excessively long petioles in early spring.
Does it need support?
It is self-supporting, or self-heading. A discreet stake only helps provide extra symmetry in bright positions.
Why do the edges split or curve?
Mechanical stress, low humidity or sudden drying. Increase humidity & keep a steady watering routine; gentle curvature is normal in mature leaves.
When should I repot?
When roots emerge from the holes or fill the pot, typically every 12–18 months. Increase the diameter by just 2 cm and always use a chunky aroid mix.
© Original plant description by Greenleaf Garden Center. All rights reserved. | The text is original material. Copying is prohibited (Law 2121/1993).
🔎 Note: Due to natural plant variation, the plant you receive may differ slightly from the photograph. Shape, size and colour depend on the season, growing conditions and the nature of each plant.
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Individual protection
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