Philodendron Melanochrysum Care
The key to philodendron melanochrysum care is to not overwater it and check it for pests regularly. We cover all you need to know about melanochrysum care and propagation.
Philodendron Melanochrysum Care Summary
| Light needs: | Bright indirect sunlight. |
| Watering needs: | Check weekly, water if top half of soil is dry. |
| Fertilizer: | A high nitrogen feed once a week in spring summer. |
| Soil: | Use moss or a really well draining compost and perlite mix. |
| Humidity: | 60%. |
| Temperature: | 18-27°C (64-81°F). |
| Where to buy: | Try one of these Rare Plant Shops. |
| Common issues: | Root rot from overly wet soil. |
Introduction
The Philodendron Melanochrysum (a.k.a. Black Gold Philodendron) is a velvet leaved climbing philodendron with thin elongated heart shaped leaves. Its popular for a good reason, we run down all you need to know here…
Light Needs
Bright indirect light is always best, but it will do ok a bit further back from the window.
How Often to Water
Check the plant once a week and do not be tempted to water it unless the top half of soil or more is dry. They can get root or leaf drooping from overwatering quite easily, so always be careful when watering a philodendron. For the same reason, make sure they have really well draining soil and that water can drain off from the bottom of the plant and it’s not sat in excess water.
Fertilizer
A high nitrogen feed once a week in spring summer will encourage leaf growth.
Philodendron Melanochrysum Soil
Many people grow philodendron melanochrysums in sphagnum moss. If you do this make sure the pot has plenty of holes to take excess water away and let air in. If you use soil make sure it has 20% perlite mixed in to aid drainage. For more on Philodendron soil see our guide on what to buy or how to make your own: Philodendron Soil.
When To Repot
Repot it up a size in spring to give it space for growth in the coming warmer months. They will normally outgrow their pots each year. If they haven’t out grown their pots it is still a good idea to repot them with fresh soil back into the same to give them new nutrients.
Tip: give them something to climb up, a moss pole is ideal. It will keep the plant tidy, and also encourage big leaf growth. They’ll put out much smaller leaves if not given something to climb. Humidity helps leaf growth too, you want those beautiful velvety leaves as big as possible.
Humidity
60% humidity is ideal for a philodendron melanochrysum. They will do well with a humidifier that will get the best out of them.
Temperature
The ideal range is 18-27°C (64-81°F) so they’ll be fine in your home. Keep it away from cold draughty windows in colder months.
How To Propagate Philodendron Melanochrysum
I have propagated a lot of melanochrysums, and I prefer to root them in water first, then move them to sphagnum moss. Sphagnum moss is great for them. Then, after they root well, I move them to soil. You can move them straight to soil if you like, but rooting in water first works wonders!
Take a cutting with a node and two leaves, then leave it for a few hours so that the wound callouses over. Then root it in filtered tap water. After a month or so when it has roots you can move it to sphagnum moss, keep it well lit (but no direct sun), with high humidity (70% or so), and keep it moist and the roots should take well and soon you’ll get growth from the top. When established you can move it to a good aroid soil.
See also our other prop guides where we go into much more detail on different methods: Philodendron Melanochrysum Propagation In Leca, Philodendron Melanochrysum Propagation In Soil, Philodendron Melanochrysum Propagation In Moss, Philodendron Melanochrysum Propagation In Water.
Philodendron Melanochrysum Common Name
Velour Philodendron
Where To Buy
Try one of these Rare Plant Shops.
Other Names
Black Gold Philodendron
Philodendron Melanochrysum Care FAQs and Common Problems
Make sure it does not sit in water logged soil as a lot of issues come from the roots being susceptible to root rot. Also check the leaves including the underneath for pests every time you water the plant.
Seek vets advice if your cat or dog eats any, they are toxic and can cause sickness and oral numbness.
Philodendron Melanochrysum is a climbing philodendron.
They are similar in many ways, especially the velvety texture of the leaves, but melanochrysum has longer and darker covered leaves.
The splendid is a cross with the melanochrysum and the verrucosum so it is similar to the melanochrysum, but has bigger and more ribbed leaves like the verrucosum.
They are easy to tell apart as the gloriosum has lighter green rounded, wide leaves and the melanochrysum has darker, thinner, more elongated leaves. They grow differently too: the gloriosum is a crawler and grows sideways along the floor or pot, but the melanochrysum grows upwards.
The biggest difference is that the melanochrysum is a climber and so it will grow upwards, but the micans will grow like a vine. They both have a velvet texture to the leaves.
They can grow up to 12inces or 30cm when they get mature and are given the correct care.
Other Articles You Might Like
You might also like our other articles: Philodendron Rio, Philodendron Sodiroi, Philodendron Rugosum.
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