The glossy leaves of Philodendron Melanoneuron make it unique and easy to care for. This philodendron plant also grows flowers in cluster form.
But they are not very beautiful, I have this plant in my room because of its beautiful heart-shaped leaves.
Normally it needs indirect bright light, moderate water, and all-purpose fertilizer. To keep its leaves shining you must grow it in a highly humid environment. For pest protection, use neem oil spray every month.
In today’s post, you’ll learn about Philodendron Melanoneuron growing needs, propagation, and troubleshooting common problems.
What is Philodendron Melanoneuron Plant?
It grows beautiful glossy heart-shaped green leaves on purple stems. In sufficient bright light, it grows 2 to 3 feet long with large size leaves.
To grow it more than 3 feet long, use a moss pole so that it can climb and grow taller.
In case your plant grows fewer leaves, move it to bright light. It will heal itself in a few days and you will see new growing leaves.
Moist soil and high humidity are 2 things that it needs for thriving.
Light Needs
Normally indirect light for 7 to 8 hours is recommended. But, if possible, let your plant absorb morning direct sunlight.
From 8 am to 10 am, the sun emits warm rays. These are very beneficial for houseplants. This protects them from fungal diseases like powdery mildew and green algae.
270 to 450 FC is the perfect light range for Philodendron Melanoneuron.
The new growers should use a Light Meter. Because this makes it easy for them to measure the amount of light a plant is receiving.
This inexpensive device is easily available on Amazon.
I also use light meters because I want to give the best care to my lovely plants.
Watering Philodendron Melanoneuron
Water is the most important growth factor for a philodendron plant. For watering Philodendron Melanoneuron always use filtered water.
Because plants need clean water without chlorine and fluorides.
In most parts, tap water contains chlorine to kill harmful bacteria. But this chlorine is damaging to houseplant roots.
It does not drain out of the pot and starts sticking to the roots. After a few days, the plant roots become unable to absorb enough amount of water due to chlorine blockage.
This turns green leaves into yellow leaves.
The only fix is repotting your plant in new fresh soil and stop using tap water.
Potting Soil
Your fast-draining potting soil must have perlite in it. It is essential to hold moisture for a long time. Because Philo Melanoneuron needs well-moist soil in every season.
I don’t like to use commercial potting formulas. Because I can make my own potting soil with different ingredients.
Mix perlite, potting soil, peat moss, and compost in equal parts. If you do not have compost, you can use vermiculite.
Or
Mix potting soil, perlite, orchid bark, and vermiculite in equal parts.
Both the potting soil formulas are equally effective and fast-draining. It’s up to you which one you find is easy for you.
Note: Never use a specific soil formula for a single plant. Make general formula so that you can use it for other plants.
Temperature
Temperature fluctuations are the common cause of unhealthy and dying plants. Melanoneuron Philo needs a stable temperature like its natural habitat.
Anywhere between 55 to 80 degrees, F is considered a suitable temperature.
Make sure in the winter season the grow room temperature does not drop below 50 degrees F. Because in cold environments Philo Melanoneuron goes into dormancy.
It is a time when plants stop growing their leaves and stems.
Whereas above 80 degrees F is hot for this philodendron. Hot weather increases the demand for water applications.
This increases your work and also increases the chances of plant dehydration.
Humidity
Humidity is directly linked to the rate of photosynthesis. It also affects leaf health. In low humidity below 45%, philodendron leaves lose their moisture.
This turns them brown and crispy.
Secondly, low humidity prevents leaves to absorb the desired amount of CO2 for photosynthesis. High humidity above 45% is required to keep plant pores open.
This allows leaves to absorb a good amount of carbon dioxide.
This combination of CO2 and water decides the quality of photosynthesis.
How to Increase Humidity?
I use a plant humidifier on low-humid days. Because it is the most effective and easy solution. If the humidity is 5% to 7% low. I mist some water on its leaves.
A humidifier is required when it drops 10 % or more.
The Pebble tray technique is another traditional method. Fill a tray with water and small rocks, and put your plant pot over it.
It is helpful but time-consuming for me. You have to keep eye on the tray water and refill it when it gets empty.
Pruning
Frequent trimming is not required because it is a moderate grower like Philodendron Goldiana. Moreover, it can tolerate many changes in the growing environment.
Pruning is necessary to keep your plant young and fresh. For a good-looking plant, you have to cut its overly-growing parts.
Use sterilized shears for trimming.
Discard the trimmed part after finishing pruning.
The next step is cleaning the plant leaves with a damp soft cloth. Also, clean the plant pot and the bottom tray.
This way you can prevent many diseases and pest attacks.
Repotting
Repotting is required to keep your plant alive. As I said it is a moderately growing philodendron. So, it needs repotting once a year.
Choose a 2-inch wider and deep pot for shifting.
Gently take Philodendron Melanoneuron out of its old pot and remove old soil from its roots. Here you can use tap water to wash roots.
Then cut the dry and decaying parts. Do not try to entangle them, let them in their natural shape.
Add fresh soil to a new pot and place your plant in it. Add some water for moisture and place it back in its location.
For the first few days, you can see weakness in your plant. It is called repotting stress. Within 5 to 7 days your plant will come back on its healthy track.
Fertilizing Melanoneuron Philo
Fertilization is necessary in this case. Compost or vermiculite in the potting soil is not enough to full fill its nutritional needs.
You have to use separate liquid fertilizers for good health.
Choose a general houseplant fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen. Because nitrogen is the main nutrient that encourages the growth of leaves.
Lack of nitrogen in potting soil results in dull and dark leaves. They will lose their shine and glossiness.
The small leaves will stay small and never grow large in size.
Before applying fertilizer carefully read the instructions. Dilute the solution in clean water and pour it onto the soil.
Toxicity
Like Philodendron Royal Queen and Philodendron Snowdrift. Your Philodendron Melanoneuron is toxic to humans and animals. The ingestion of its leaves and stems results in toxicity.
To prevent it wear garden gloves while trimming your plant. So that the sap of the plant cannot touch your skin. Otherwise, sensitive skin can irritate.
Seek medical help if anyone ingests its leaves.
Philodendron Melanoneuron Propagation
Do not go for the Air layering method of propagation if you don’t have experience. Cutting the stem and propagating it in water is the easiest method.
Follow the below steps of propagation:
- Identify a healthy stem and cut it 5 to 6 inches long.
- Apply rooting hormone on the edge.
- Take a glass and fill it with clean water.
- Put the stem cutting in it.
- Store the glass jar in a warm place in moderately bright light.
- Do not expose it to direct sunlight.
- Change the water once every 2 days.
- It will take almost 20 to 24 days to grow new roots.
- Transfer your plant to potting soil when the new roots grow 1 inch long.
Troubleshooting Problems
Yellow Turning Leaves
Yellow leaves indicate 2 problems one is related to the overuse of water. The second is related to too much bright light.
To identify the root cause of yellow leaves. First, check the soil, if it is wet and smells like rotten eggs. Then overwatering is the cause behind the yellow leaves of Philodendron Melanoneuron.
In this case, repot your plant and cut the infected roots.
To check the second case, look at the soil. If it is not waterlogged but the plant leaves are yellow with brown tips.
This means the light in the growing place is too bright for the plant. Move your plant to a less bright place and it will heal in a few days.
Brown Curling Leaves
Lack of sufficient moisture in the potting soil and dry air trigger brown curling leaves. Use a hygrometer to measure the relative humidity.
Poke your finger in potting soil to check moisture.
Move your plant to a humid place and give it some water.
Do not mist water on its leaves at this stage or you will face bacterial leaf spots.
Pests
Aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and thrips are the common enemies of Philo Melanoneuron. To catch them in the first stage of damage.
Regularly inspect the leaves at the time of watering.
Check the undersides and near the leaf nodes. Because pests build their colonies in these places.
Move your plant outdoors and use pest-killing liquid soap. Rinse your plant according to the instructions.
Keep it separate until you see new growth.
Algae on Soil
Green algae in the soil mean there is more than enough moisture in the soil. Remove it from the soil and move your plant to a bright place.
It will be best if it can get some morning sunlight.
Because the warm sunrays go deep into the soil and kill the algae.
It is not harmful if you catch the problem on time.
Chalky Pots
The white powdery substance on terracotta pots is a result of overfertilization and tap water. The chlorine in the water comes out through the tiny pores of terracotta material.
This looks like white powder. Remove it with a brush or a paper towel. To prevent it stop using tap water and too much fertilizer.
After a few days if it comes again then unpot your plant, wash the pot with warm water, use fresh soil and place it back in its pot.
Conclusion
Philodendron Melanoneuron is the best foliage plant for all levels of gardeners. Its beautiful leaves need bright light and moderate water.
With minimal care and attention, you can grow anywhere you want.
Neem oil sprays are beneficial to prevent many pests and fungal diseases. Use it as per the bottle instructions.
