Philodendron melanochrysum guide
Philodendron melanochrysum, also called melanochrysum, black gold philodendron, melano
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- When the top 2 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in) of soil is dry
- Humidity
- 60% or higher. A cabinet or humidifier helps.
- Temperature
- 16 to 27°C (60 to 80°F). Keep above 13°C (55°F).
- Soil
- Chunky houseplant mix with bark and perlite
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid fertilizer, monthly in spring and summer
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing causes mouth pain and drooling.
- Difficulty
- Fussy
- Mature size
- Climbs 1 to 3 m (3 to 10 ft) on a pole
- Propagation
- Stem cuttings with a node, rooted in water or soil
- Where to buy
- Collector
This page covers what makes philodendron melanochrysum different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the philodendron care guide.
What it is
Philodendron melanochrysum has long, drooping, velvet leaves in a deep black-green with pale veins. In good light, the velvet has a gold sparkle, which is where the name comes from: “black gold.” It is a climber. Young leaves are small and heart-shaped. On a tall pole, mature leaves grow 60 cm (2 ft) long or more.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| Melanochrysum | Long, narrow, black-green velvet | Climbs, and leaves droop down |
| Philodendron gloriosum | Wide velvet hearts | Crawls along the soil |
| Velvet philodendron | Small bronze velvet hearts | Much smaller, trailing vine |
Care differences
It needs something to climb. Leaves grow longer only when the stem can climb a moss pole. Hanging down, the leaves stay small.
It wants humidity of 60% or more. In dry air, new leaves tear, curl, or brown at the edges. A humidifier or a glass cabinet makes a big difference.
Bright indirect light and steady moisture keep it growing. Let the top 2 to 3 cm (1 in) of soil dry, then water.
Grow it from a cutting
Cut a stem with at least one node and an aerial root. Root it in damp sphagnum moss with high humidity. Roots take three to six weeks.
Pet safety
It contains calcium oxalate crystals. It is toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.
Buying it
Melanochrysum is a collector plant, sold at specialty shops and online. Look for a healthy growing tip and an aerial root at each node. Torn or brown leaves often come from a move into dry air. Ask how it was grown. A plant raised in a humid greenhouse may sulk in a dry house for a while.