{"product_id":"philodendron-melanochrysum-5-pot","title":"Philodendron Melanochrysum - 5\" Pot","description":"\u003cp\u003ePhilodendron melanochrysum, the Black Gold philodendron, is an elegant climbing aroid prized for its long, heart-to-arrow-shaped leaves of deep blackish-green with a velvety sheen and shimmering golden-bronze veins. As it climbs a moss pole the leaves grow progressively larger and more dramatic, becoming long and pendant on mature plants. A refined collector's plant, it loves warmth, high humidity and bright indirect light. In India it grows beautifully indoors when given a support to climb, good humidity and an airy aroid mix, developing into a tall, striking specimen whose dark velvet foliage and metallic veining make it a centrepiece houseplant.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFamily\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAraceae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eNative region\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColombia, South America\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature height\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClimbs to 1.5-3 m indoors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eMature spread\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e45-75 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eGrowth rate\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFoliage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLong velvety dark-green leaves with golden veins\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower colour\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGreenish spathe (rare indoors)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFlower season\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRarely flowers indoors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eClimate zone\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTropical\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSunlight\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBright indirect light; no harsh direct sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eWatering\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKeep lightly moist; water when top 2-3 cm dries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eSoil \/ mix\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChunky, airy aroid mix with bark, perlite, coco\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e20-30 C; avoid below 15 C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eHumidity\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrefers high humidity, 60-80%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eFertilizer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDilute balanced feed monthly in growing season\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePruning\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTrim to manage size; remove damaged leaves\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eRepotting\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEvery 1-2 years; provide a moss pole to climb\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePropagation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStem cuttings with a node, in moss or mix\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003ePests \u0026amp; problems\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWatch for spider mites, thrips, mealybugs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eToxicity \/ safety\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eToxic to pets and humans if ingested\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"row\"\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eModerate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eUses\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGrown as a premium climbing indoor foliage plant and collector's specimen, valued for its long, dark velvety, gold-veined leaves. Best trained up a moss pole for the largest foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing tips\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn India give it a moss pole to climb, bright indirect light, warmth and high humidity for the biggest, darkest leaves. Use an airy aroid mix and keep humidity up in dry months to prevent crisping.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow often should I water Philodendron melanochrysum?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep the mix lightly moist, watering when the top 2-3 cm dries. Use an airy mix so roots never sit in soggy soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow much light does it need?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eBright indirect light is ideal. Avoid harsh direct sun, which scorches the velvety leaves; low light slows growth and shrinks leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe for pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. Like all philodendrons it is toxic to pets and humans if ingested due to calcium oxalate crystals. Keep it away from pets and children.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need a moss pole?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, it is a climber. Giving it a moss pole to climb encourages much larger, more dramatic leaves over time.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow do I propagate it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eTake a stem cutting with at least one node and root it in damp sphagnum moss or an airy mix in warm, humid, bright conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the leaf edges turning brown?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLow humidity is the usual cause for this humidity-loving plant. Raise humidity, keep it warm and water evenly to prevent crisping.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eDoes it flower indoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt rarely flowers indoors and is grown for its striking velvety foliage rather than blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eCan it grow indoors in India?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, in a warm, humid, brightly lit indoor spot with a support to climb; extra humidity helps during dry seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy are my leaves staying small?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWithout a climbing support and adequate light and humidity the leaves stay small. Provide a moss pole and good conditions for larger growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow should I fertilize it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed monthly with a diluted balanced fertilizer during the growing season and reduce feeding in winter.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"vedicflora","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51256289886454,"sku":"PLT-PHILODENDR14-P05-NA","price":199.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0805\/4980\/6326\/files\/NNnknLJkEeAtdwi9RFEKOdaqmXPPt9iBKVzrEZZs.png?v=1783923394","url":"https:\/\/vedicflora.com\/products\/philodendron-melanochrysum-5-pot","provider":"vedicflora","version":"1.0","type":"link"}