Philodendron Melanochrysum Care – The Essential Care Guide

Interested in Philodendron Melanochrysum Care?

Philodendron Melanochrysum care is not difficult if you are a beginner, as the plant is highly adaptable to indoor and outdoor conditions and easy to take care of.

This tropical plant is a species in the family Araceae and subfamily of Aroideae, which is found at the Andean foothills of Colombia. If you would like to add an exotic plant to your urban jungle that is fuss-free, Black Gold Philodendron Melanochrysum is the plant for you.

This underrated plant makes a great gift for plant lovers including beginners who have just started venturing into houseplants.

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What Are The Key Features of Philodendron Melanochrysum?

Philodendron Melanochrysum or Black Gold Philodendron Melanochrysum has large dark green velvety leaves which capture your attention immediately. 

You may notice its young leaves emerge as pink with green veins and slowly grow into a deep dark green with a velvety texture. Its heart-shaped leaves are usually 25 centimetres long and if you give Philo Melanochrysum care, they can grow even longer.

This indoor plant earned its nickname Black Gold thanks to the tiny golden sparkles seen when the leaves are placed under sunlight.

How Do You Give Philodendron Melanochrysum Care?

When you learn about Philo Melanochrysum care, rest assured this tropical plant will grow into a gorgeous plant as it is not difficult to take care of them.

If you can recreate the conditions and environments that they normally grow in at home, they will thrive and experience optimum growth. 

It is important to do in-depth research on the plant’s requirements on necessities such as water, light, soil, and temperature as this information will help you on your journey in taking care of this plant.

Here, let me bring you through Philodendron Melanochrysum care tips in detail so that you can provide your Melanochrysum with care just like how I did with mine.

Does Philodendron Melanochrysum Need Sunlight?

As a climbing tropical plant, Black Gold Philodendron Melanochrysum thrives under indirect bright light.

However, do not leave them under direct sunlight outdoors as it will burn their leaves and cause those leaves to turn yellow.If you provide the Black Gold Philodendron Melanochrysum light that they need, they can reach a height between three and five feet.

It is not a bad idea to use grow lights and if you do, place the plant about five inches away from the lights.

What Type Of Soil Is Suitable For Philodendron Melanochrysum?

Although this plant is not fussy, there are several key criteria that we need to take note of when providing Philodendron Melanochrysum care.

Philodendron roots are delicate and tend to rot, therefore it is really important to pay attention to the soil composition. A soil mixture of one part soil, one part orchid bark, and one part perlite is the best suit for this plant to grow.

Most importantly this mixture can hold sufficient water to hydrate the plant and at the same time able to drain excess water out through drainage holes at the bottom.

Do You Need To Fertilise Philodendron Melanochrysum?

Fertilize your Black Gold Philodendron Melanochrysum during growing seasons in spring and summer using a well-balanced liquid fertilizer packed with nutrients or a slow-release fertilizer that breaks down and releases its nutrients into the soil when watering each time.

Do you want a liquid fertilizer option that is budget-friendly? definitely check this

Or you can also buy this slow-release fertilizer that contains 11 essential nutrients and feeds up to 6 months

Avoid fertilizing during winter as the plant is in a dormant stage. This is a stage when a plant will stop growing to conserve energy to survive cold weather and prepare for the next growing season. 

You will also notice the plant will start to wilt and drop leaves, however, if you look at their roots, they are still fresh looking and healthy.

Over-fertilizing your Philodendron Melanochrysum can be detrimental and will cause their leaves to curl and turn brown.

How Much Water Does Philodendron Melanochrysum Need?

Philodendron Melanochrysum enjoys moderate water with a weekly watering routine and this is sufficient to keep them hydrated.

Water your plant with distilled or rainwater and avoid using tap water as it will cause mineral buildup on the plant. You may need to reduce the amount and frequency of watering the plant during the fall and winter seasons as they do not require so much water when they are dormant.

Overwatering can cause the plant to wilt and leaves become yellow with rotting soil and this is a common mistake made by beginners.

What Temperature Does Philodendron Melanochrysum Prefer?

Philodendron Melanochrysum thrives under temperatures between 21C to 27C but if the temperatures move outside this ideal range, this plant will not be able to tolerate them. 

Once the weather falls below 21C and gets colder, shift the plant indoors to avoid frost damage to the plant.

If the plant experiences light freeze damage, it is most likely to survive and will be able to recover by the following spring with some pruning activity to stimulate plant growth.

Does Philodendron Melanochrysum Enjoy Humidity?

Philodendron Melanochrysum enjoys growing in a high humidity environment of an average 40% to 60% level.

However, it may be a challenge to maintain such humidity levels during winter and lack of humidity will cause yellowing leaves. If you have a humidifier at home, place Philodendron Melanochrysum next to the machine so that it can continue to enjoy its humidity.

If you do not have a humidifier, fret not as you can also choose to mist the plant with distilled or filtered water every two days.

Where Does Philodendron Melanochrysum Originate From?

Philodendron Melanochrysum originates from Central America and is found naturally in Costa Rica, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador.

This tropical plant is commonly used as an ornamental garden plant in some Central American countries.

Its large heart-shaped velvety leaves with a blackish-green surface are eye candy that easily captures your attention.

Philodendron Melanochrysum vs Micans 

It is easy for a juvenile Philodendron Melanochrysum to be mistaken as Philodendron Micans because both do look strikingly similar.

Both have heart-shaped, dark green leaves with a red velvety sheen. However, if you notice both plants closely, you will realize the markings on both species are different.

Melanochrysum has bigger leaves and tends to grow upward while Micans have smaller leaves and tend to cascade downward.

Philodendron Melanochrysum x Verrucosum Care

This gorgeous hybrid Philodendron Melanochrysum x Verrucosum was created by Keith Henderson and the cross between both Melanochrysum and Verrucosum produces breathtaking velvet leaves.

The top of the leaf displays intense dark green velvet with light-coloured veins while the underside shows slightly dark-coloured foliage.

Nicknamed as “Philodendron Splendid”, is a herbaceous vine and when given the proper support, it will climb and enjoy optimum growth potential.

Although this is a unique hybrid plant, Philodendron Splendid care does not differ much from other Philo Melanochrysum care requirements.

Where To Buy Philodendron Splendid?

This extremely rare hybrid plant is not easy to find and plant lovers normally purchase this tropical plant from online sellers.

Don’t be surprised if you find this extraordinary plant is priced above $500 due to its scarcity. 

Etsy has a few listings of Philodendron Splendid for sale.

If you do want to purchase from an online retailer, it is best to choose from one that is located near you to avoid transportation stress on the plant.

Does Philodendron Melanochrysum Attract Pest?

It is common for Philodendron Melanochrysum to experience attacks from the following pests:

• Aphid

Small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects suck plant sap and cause yellowing and misshapen leaves. If you find a colony of bugs feeding underneath the leaves, it is most likely an aphid infestation.

• Mealybugs

Small, pale insects that suck plant sap and cause stunted growth and plant death if not treated fast. If you noticed cotton look-alike spots all over your plant, it is most likely been attacked by mealy bugs.

The most natural way to fight against these pests is to use neem oil extract and spray the diluted extract on the entire plant.Neem oil is an organic insecticide thus making it safe to use indoors for houseplants and use around pets and children at home.

This Bonide’s 3-in-1 Neem Oil is great because it kills the egg, larvae, and adult stages of insects while also preventing the fungal attack of plant tissues.

Instead of waiting for pest infestation to happen, it is better to look out for signs of these common houseplant pests and check on them regularly before it gets worse. 

How To Propagate Philodendron Melanochrysum?

Propagation of Philodendron Melanochrysum can be done through stem cuttings and place the cuttings in a container with potting soil or a cup of water.

Propagation should be done around the growing season in spring or early summer and rooting will occur in 4 to 6 weeks later. 

Let me walk through with you how to propagate Philodendron Melanochrysum:

Step 1: Use a clean, sharp knife to remove a piece of Philodendron Melanochrysum cutting about three to five inches long below a node. 

Step 2: Remove the leaves at the bottom of the Philodendron Melanochrysum cutting.

Step 3: Place the bare stem into a cup of water or a container filled with moist potting soil. Ensure no leaves are buried in soil or submerged in water.

Step 4: Place the cup or container in bright, indirect sunlight near a window. 

Step 5: Always keep the potting soil moist and the water in the cup is topped up.

Step 6: After three weeks, when the roots have reached about one inch long, move them to new pots that are filled with fresh potting soil.

Step 7: Keep watering the newly potted plants and this will help them to adapt to their new home.

Where To Buy Philodendron Melanochrysum?

Due to Philodendron Melanochrysum’s slow growth rate, it is considered a rare plant and not mass-produced by growers. Thus it is not easy to find this plant at your local nursery.

Plant lovers prefer to purchase this tropical plant from online sellers and if you do, please choose one with good reviews and ratings from previous buyers.

Etsy has several listings of Philodendron Melanochrysum for sale and you may opt to purchase from a seller that is located near you to avoid transportation stress on the plant.

It is common to find the Philodendron Melanochrysum price listed on online websites ranges between $50 to $200.

How To Deal With Transportation Stress?

Purchasing plants from online sellers is pretty common nowadays and if the plants are transported unfavourably, it will cause stress to the plant. 

When you receive Philodendron Melanochrysum from the transporter, do not proceed to repot the plant immediately. Keep the plant under indirect sunlight for 3 to 7 days and ensure the soil is moist while keeping the plant hydrated.

It will take a few weeks for the newly arrived Philodendron Melanochrysum to get adjusted to its new environment.

Is Philodendron Melanochrysum Toxic?

If you have pets or children at home, you need to keep this plant away from them as it is toxic.

If ingested, this indoor houseplant can cause skin irritation, nausea, burning and swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, vomiting, and diarrhoea.

This is due to the presence of insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in the leaves and when chewed, it will release these crystals to the body and cause tissue penetration and irritation to the mouth.

Unique Tips For A Happy Philodendron Melanochrysum

• Avoid fertilizing dry soil as it will hurt Philodendron Melanochrysum’s roots.
• Place this plant in an east-facing or north-facing window to get sufficient light to grow.
• If you have fish, try to water your plant using water from your fish tank. Fish tank water is full of nutrients such as nitrogen, beneficial bacteria, potassium, and nitrogen that can act as fertilizers. 
• If you notice the leaves wilting, yellowing, and curling, it is a sign of dehydration and you need to water the plant immediately to avoid further drought.
• To avoid overwatering, use your finger and touch the top 1 to 2 inches of the soil. If the soil is dry, you can proceed to water the plant.
• You can place the plant near the bathroom or kitchen during winter as both areas have a higher level of humidity in the house.

Conclusion

Philodendron Melanochrysum care is not complicated as this plant is not fussy and relatively easy to take care of even if you are a beginner.

This gorgeous plant will grow up healthy and happy if you follow the care tips that I have listed here and you will have a gorgeous looking Black Gold Philodendron Melanochrysum growing at your home.