Philodendron 'Strawberry Shake' is the variegated form of the classic Red Emerald philodendron, and it is one of the most colourful aroids you can grow. Each glossy leaf emerges splashed with cream, yellow, peach, pink and deep red, so no two leaves are alike, and the whole plant is carried on striking wine red stems. It is a true climbing philodendron, producing aerial roots along the stem and rewarding a moss pole with larger and larger leaves as it ascends.
Origins
This is a cultivated selection rather than a wild species. Its parent, Philodendron erubescens, is a robust climbing aroid from the rainforests of Colombia, known as the blushing philodendron for the red flush on its stems and leaf backs. 'Strawberry Shake' keeps that tropical constitution and adds the unstable colour breaks that collectors prize, which is why well marked plants remain sought after and seldom seen.
Care
Give it bright indirect light, which keeps the variegation strong without scorching the cream and pink sections. Water once the top few centimetres of compost have dried, then let the excess drain away, as the roots resent sitting wet. It appreciates humidity of around 50 to 60 percent, so a brighter kitchen or a spot away from radiators suits it well. Keep it warm, ideally above 15C all year, and give it a moss pole to climb. Every part of the plant contains calcium oxalate crystals and is toxic if eaten, so keep it away from pets and children.
Live Arrival Guarantee
All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.
Your quick reference for choosing the right plant size. We group our plants by the diameter of their nursery pots which gives you a consistent way to understand scale.
5–8cm
Mini
Small but full of charm. These compact plants are perfect for desks, windowsills, and small shelves, or for building out a collection over time. Ideal if you enjoy watching your plants grow from the beginning. Approx. height: 10–20cm
9–11cm
Small
A step up in presence, great for side tables, shelves, or styling in clusters. Easy to move around and perfect for adding greenery without taking up too much space. Approx. height: 25–35cm
12–14cm
Medium
Our most versatile size. Works beautifully on shelves, desks, and plant stands, offering a fuller look without dominating a space. A great balance between impact and flexibility. Approx. height: 25–50cm
15–18cm
Large
More established plants with fuller foliage and stronger structure. Ideal for creating soft focal points in a room. Great for corners, beside furniture, or as standalone features. Approx. height: 40–70cm
19+cm
Extra Large
Big, impactful plants designed for floors and open spaces. These are your statement pieces and are perfect for anchoring a room or transforming a corner with instant greenery. Approx. height: 60cm–1.3m
Pots that fit this plant
We recommend
How to care for Strawberry Shake Philodendron
Keep me in bright, gentle light away from harsh sun and water me once my top few centimetres feel dry.
In their words
What our customers say
EP
Emily P.
Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.
JR
James R.
Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.
SL
Sophie L.
Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.
Get to know me
About Strawberry Shake Philodendron
Philodendron 'Strawberry Shake' is a houseplant that takes a little effort. It needs bright indirect light, watering once the top 2 to 3cm of compost has dried out, a little extra humidity and a minimum temperature of 15°C. It is harmful to pets and small children if eaten.
Bright indirect light keeps the cream, pink and red variegation strong. Avoid prolonged direct sun, which can scorch the paler sections of the leaf.Read moreShow less
Bright indirect light keeps the cream, pink and red variegation strong. Avoid prolonged direct sun, which can scorch the paler sections of the leaf.
Watering
Evenly moistDries out fully
Let the top few centimetres dry out
Water when the top few centimetres of compost feel dry, then let it drain fully. It dislikes sitting wet, so ease off in winter when growth slows.Read moreShow less
Water when the top few centimetres of compost feel dry, then let it drain fully. It dislikes sitting wet, so ease off in winter when growth slows.
Humidity
Average homeHigh humidity
Prefers a little extra humidity
Happiest at around 50 to 60 percent humidity. It copes with a normal room but grows faster and cleaner with a little extra moisture in the air.Read moreShow less
Happiest at around 50 to 60 percent humidity. It copes with a normal room but grows faster and cleaner with a little extra moisture in the air.
Temperature
15°
0°C25°C
Keep above 15°C · Likes a warm room
Warm and steady, ideally 18 to 27C and never below about 15C. Keep it away from cold draughts and unheated rooms in winter.Read moreShow less
Warm and steady, ideally 18 to 27C and never below about 15C. Keep it away from cold draughts and unheated rooms in winter.
Feeding
Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from spring to autumn, and let it rest over winter.
Is Philodendron 'Strawberry Shake' the same as Red Emerald?
It is the variegated form of Philodendron 'Red Emerald', a cultivar of Philodendron erubescens. Where Red Emerald has plain deep green leaves on red stems, 'Strawberry Shake' adds splashes of cream, yellow, peach, pink and red, and no two leaves colour up the same way.
How do I keep the variegation strong?
Light is the main lever. Keep it in bright indirect light so the plant has the energy to keep producing coloured tissue. If a stem starts pushing plain green leaves, you can prune back to a well variegated node, as fully green growth tends to outpace the variegated growth.
Does it need a moss pole?
Yes, ideally. This is a true climbing philodendron that produces aerial roots along the stem. Given a moss pole or similar support it grows upright and produces noticeably larger leaves. Without support the stems will sprawl and the leaves stay smaller.
Is it safe around pets and children?
No. Like all philodendrons it contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in every part. Chewing it causes intense irritation and swelling of the mouth and throat, drooling and vomiting, and the sap can irritate skin and eyes. Keep it out of reach of pets and children.
Why are the leaves going brown at the edges?
Crispy brown patches on the cream or pink areas usually mean too much direct sun or very dry air, as variegated tissue burns more easily than green. Browning that starts soft and dark is more likely overwatering. Check the light first, then let the compost dry further between waterings.
Are your plants treated with pesticides?
We aim to avoid using pesticides where possible, but we can't control the whole supply chain.
If the plant is going into a vivarium, terrarium or aquarium with live animals, rinse the leaves and roots well, remove any soil and let the plant dry out before adding it. We'd also suggest keeping it away from animals for a month first.
Can I see a photo of the exact plant I'll receive?
We're not able to send photos of individual plants or let you choose a specific one, as plants are selected by our team when your order is packed. Our photos show the variety and the kind of plant you can expect, and yours may vary a little in height, shape or fullness.
If a size has a code next to it, such as 9cm / B2, you're buying the exact plant pictured.
Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.
It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.
If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.
If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.
That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.
Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.
When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.
We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.
Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.
It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.
Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.
Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.
During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.
That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 7 days with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.
The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Philodendrons are by far one of our favourite houseplants to grow. With their incredible tropical foliage and relatively low maintenance care requirements, they make excellent additions to any indoor space. These plants belong to a diverse genus with nearly...
Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.
Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Perfect for Gifting
From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.
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Sustainability at Heart
All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.
