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Posted 1M ago by @BuddingPitayita

New growth coming in purplish green?

Hi all! A new leaf is starting to open, and it’s a funny color. Does anyone know why this is happening and/or if I have to do anything to fix it? Have I just never noticed? πŸ˜…
10ft to light, indirect
4” pot with drainage
Last watered 4 days ago
A number of my plants will have new growth that’s a different color and it will slowly change to match the rest of the plant. I don’t think it’s anything to worry about
What @JackHenrysMom said! My heartleaf philo grows in the exact same way, and within a few weeks the leaves will be green 😊
That’s how many varieties of philo micans grow as well
Yep, another vote for natural growth Emi! πŸ’š

You've nothing to worry about there, I have several varieties (including more than a few Philos) of plants whose baby leaves look really different to the finished article! πŸ₯° She looks really healthy! Xx
Yay! Thanks, y’all! I really appreciate your help and encouragement. I’m so thankful that it’s just something that I had never noticed and not some new strange disease that only attacks new leaves - I had really freaked myself out there for a minute! πŸ˜‚ Thanks, y’all! πŸ₯°
I'm a tad late for the conversation, but just wanted to fill in the science behind it. These new leaves contain anthocyanins, which is a pigment that gives a red, purple or blue colour, depending on how concentrated it is. The anthocyanins protect the new leaves from uv exposure, that may harm the delicate new leaves. It's quite common in philos actually, and many other aroids, bushes and trees
@Araceae oh wow! Thank you! That’s really fascinating. Now I wonder what the new leaf would look like under a UV light. Would it still be red? πŸ€”
@BuddingPitayita probably. Under any light conditions, so long as it's too high, most plants produce anthocyanins
@Araceae That’s awesome! Thank you so much!