Home»House Plants»Philodendron
In Texas , fossil fuel petroleum has pull in the sobriquet “ black gold ” due to its almost instant rich to early fossil oil barons . However , late within the rain forest of Columbia and Costa Rica , a type of ignominious amber has n’t been fossilize yet .
This rarefied treasure is a phallus of theAraceaefamily calledPhilodendron melanochrysum(fil - oh - DEN - dron mel - an - oh - KRIS - um ) – literally , the black atomic number 79 philodendron ( melano means morose or black , while chrysum comes from chrysos , the Greek give-and-take for amber ) .
The name is sometimes shortened to simply “ melano plant ” , and it ’s one Philodendron you ’re trusted to cherish !
Note that you may find agriculturist selling this works under the name “ Philodendron andreanum ’ . It was the original name given to the plant by its discoverer Eduoard Andre back in 1886 , although this is n’t considered an official botanical name .
Black Gold Philodendron Care
Size & Growth
Most plants grow a bit shorter indoors , but the difference in melano plants is extreme .
Indoors , you ’re most potential to end up with a 3 ’ to 5 ’ foot tall plant life even with right support .
However , outdoors it ’s fuck to tower at an telling 20 ’ feet tall in the ripe circumstance .
Growing fastness varies based on how ideal its environmental conditions are , but it has the potential to be a fast grower , tot up to 2 ’ feet to its superlative annually . Indoor , semi - neglect industrial plant increment can be much slower , resulting in it taking up to 10 old age to reach a matured 5 ’ feet marvellous .
It ’s strongly commend that a bamboo or moss rod ( or a good treillage ) be provide so the plant life does n’t bend under its weighting . You may need to loosely connect the base to its accompaniment , at which gunpoint it will begin to travel rapidly up the airfoil .
talk of top - heavy , the foliation on this plant follows a scale design that ’s relatively rare in household vining works . Each luxuriant , velvety leaf takes full advantage of gravitation .
When in good order supported , the heart - shaped leaves dangle straight down like weighing machine on a fish and can reach a stunning 2 ’ feet in distance . But that ’s only the canvas upon which the genuine show takes station .
New leaves are a prosperous yellow to coppery - red , which turn brownish - orangeness to bronze as they begin to unfurl and darken to a nearly black shade of green .
The veins tend to continue a lighter green to near - white , and you may see a speck of iridescent redness along the airfoil when the visible radiation strikes at just the right slant .
Topping out this incredible video display are tiny atomic number 79 flecks across the leaf surface .
The event is a treasure straight out of Solomon ’s vaults or Aladdin ’s cave .
Flowering And Fragrance
Something black atomic number 79 philodendrons have in common with most plants in the genus is that flowers are highly rare . In fact , on the very rare occasion your flora does bloom , it ’s usually best to take away the inflorescence like a shot because they ’re unremarkable and draw valuable resources away from the creation of newfangled leaf .
When develop the plant outdoors , you ’re more likely to spot its green and white spathe and spadixes develop during the summertime month .
Light & Temperature
Philodendrons are ( mostly ) epiphytes , meaning they adhere to Tree and have adapted for life under a forest canopy which means unmediated sunlight can easily sear your plant ’s leaves . or else , melano flora prefer bright , indirect sunlight .
This means placing one beside or across a gay window where the sunlight wo n’t directly hit them . Also , using a rank curtain as a protective barrier or even the foliage of sun - make out plants to create dappled day .
Grow lamp are also a peachy choice to keep this plant in a dorm or billet background .
Be warned , however , that this plant is less tolerant of spectre than non - variegated kin , not only due to its variegation , but a partial tint or darker can easy vote out your melano plant .
Another fragile difference between this Philodendron and the majority of its kin comes from its moisture preference .
While it will indeed grow succulent when the humidity is 60 % percent or higher , the works is felicitous overall in normal household humidity levels ( generally 40 to 60 % per centum ) .
A kitchen or bathroom is thus perfect for them , but you may also augment the humidness by using pebble tray or a humidifier .
If you ’re lucky enough to live in USDA hardiness zones 9a or warmer , you’re able to grow your black amber philodendron alfresco .
However , they do n’t like temperatures below 60 ° degrees Fahrenheit and exposure to freeze can potentially kill them . This means that you will in all likelihood involve to overwinter the plant life indoors or provide shelter if you live in any zona cold than 12a .
Indoors , the plant is most comfortable in a temperature range of 65 to 80 ° degree Fahrenheit , especially if the room gets a little fond in the daylight and cool at nighttime to mimic nature .
Temperatures above 80 ° degree Fahrenheit can overheat melano plants due to their dark leaf colouration , and anything below 53 ° degrees Fahrenheit will cause permanent damage or even death .
Watering And Feeding
As usual , the soak - and - dry method acting is the best way to ensure your Philodendron is vex the right amount of piss .
In the subject of blackened gold , you ’ll want to stick your finger’s breadth in the grime and water when it feels dry 2 ” to 3 ” inch down .
think of towater using distilled wateror natural rainwater at room temperature for the right results . Stop watering when you see moisture begin to ooze from the raft ’s drainage holes .
A balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer once per month during the growing season ( spring and summer ) can ferment wonders for your black amber .
think back to dilute according to the package instructions and stop feeding in nightfall and wintertime .
Soil & Transplanting
You ’ll need a well - drain potting mix for this plant .
Consider amending the mix ( or your garden soil ) with an aggregate such as perlite or rough-cut grit , plus an constituent ingredient ( moss , coco coir , etc . ) .
As with most philodendrons , plenty of organic material is the closed book to an intact , healthy plant life .
Avoid sweet manure or overly ripened material , as these can spay the ground pH to the outside of the mildly acidic ( around 6.5 is best ) levels that the thai plant prefers .
Alternately , you may expend the pop soilless philo mix :
Due to its faster growth rate , you ’ll need to re - pot your melano plant more often than most philodendrons .
Usually , this will be every 1 to 2 years .
When you see etymon begin to peek out of the drainage holes , it ’s a signboard that your industrial plant necessitate a new pot , no more than 3 ” inches wider ( but one sizing up is fine ) .
If you do n’t see signs of root binding , it ’s still a good idea to completely supersede the soil every two geezerhood to get disembarrass of mineral salt buildup and replenish the soil ’s spent nutrients .
Grooming And Maintenance
Due to the unusual leaf preference of this plant , there ’s practically no sustenance take .
You may still choose to wipe the leave down with a slenderly damp cloth or some neem folio glint occasionally to facilitate discourage infestations and keep the leave glossy .
Just be certain to avoid commercial-grade products as the velveteen texture have this plant more vulnerable to moisture equipment casualty such as leafage daub .
you could also lightly prune the plant during the spring month to murder any discredited or diseased leaves , but this is an infrequent outcome if the plant is being adequately cared for .
How To Propagate Melano Plant
While it ’s potential to grow this industrial plant from seeds , the inflorescence is unsuitable on the rare occasion it even appears .
Instead , most growers propagate through stem carving , and the more adventurous relish using air layering – both of which incline to be extremely successful pick .
Black-Gold Philodendron Pests Or Diseases
Aphids , fungus gnats , mealybugs , scale , and wanderer mites are likely infestation for disastrous gold .
Meanwhile , bacterial leaf spot and root rot are the most unwashed disease endangerment . However , you might rapidly run into pocket-sized fungous infections such as powdery mold and sooty mold if there ’s honeydew present from sap - drinking hemipteran .
As with all philodendrons , this plant contains calcium oxalate , an indigestible substance .
The crystals may induce kidney stones in adult man but otherwise lead in mild symptom such as nausea or disgorgement . However , the little the consumer , the worse the effects .
tike can experience a all-encompassing range of symptom , frankfurter can get moderately inauspicious , and phthisis of the watch glass can be venomous to cats and birds .
Philodendron Melanochrysum Uses
While black atomic number 79 philodendron can be dangled from hang baskets , its on-key beauty show when allowed to climb .
broadly obligate it to a bamboo or moss rod and let it mount up the side of a bookcase or take over a corner of the elbow room .
out of doors can make an sinful statement when allowed to rise trellises but must be given shelter from direct sunlight and drafts .
