Philodendron Melinonii Care And Tips (2023 Ultimate Guide)
Philodendron Melinonii, an evergreen, large-leafed member of the Aroideana, is a non-vining, large-leafed member. This philodendron is easy to maintain and makes a great houseplant. It can also thrive outside in the right conditions.
Although keeping this plant alive is easy, there are some pitfalls.
We’ll be covering proper Philodendron melinonii care and how to maintain this beautiful plant, whether it’s inside a pot or out in the garden.
What is Philodendron Melinonii and how can it be used?
Pronunciation: Phil-oh-den-dron Mel-i-no-nee-eye
The appearance of the P. Melinonii is a standout because of its dark green leaves and clearly defined veins. The leaves can reach up to 19 inches in length and are triangular-oblong.
They are supported by a thick petiole, which can range in color from pale green to coppery red.
The underside is usually lighter than the top, which allows for a bit more light through the leaf despite its thickness. The plant’s base is fibrous and brown.
P. Melinonii can be found as an epiphyte in the wild. It grows like a crown on top of trees. These rosettes measure 6ft in height and have short internodes that give them a bushy appearance.
Origin: Philodendron Melinonii is a product of the rainforests in Central and South America. Notable:
- Northern Brazil
- Venezuela
- Suriname
- French Guiana
Rare: This plant is quite common in its natural environment, particularly in the northern region of South America. P. Melinonii, the dominant epiphytic species in the Brazilian region of Manaus is predominant.
The plant is very rare in private collections despite this.
Some other names: In older publications or more scientific publications you might see the name of the plant accompanied by ” Brongnex Regel“.
Caring for your Philodendron Melinonii
P. Melinonii can be grown indoors in a large enough container. If you live in a warm climate, the temperature is not below 55 oF/13 C, it can be grown outside.
- Bright: indirect, but mostly bright light
- Soil: well-draining
- Watering: Weekly
- Humidity: 65-80%
- Temperature: 18o-30oC (65o-86oF)
- Fertilizer: 4-6 weeks
1. Light
P. Melinonii, like most Philodendrons does well with lots of bright indirect sunlight.
These leaves, which grow above the rainforest canopy, can take 2-3 hours of direct sun. This can alter the color of these leaves over time.
Light levels should not exceed 50 FC. The optimal growth levels are between 200 and 400 FC.
Too Much Light: wilted yellow leaves
Too much light: stunted growth, leggy leaves
2. Soil Mixture
The best soil for Philodendrons is peat-based soil that has adequate drainage. The soil will retain enough water and oxygen in a looser, free-draining substrate.
Peat soil has high organic matter and is great for philodendrons. These are some of the benefits that philodendrons have:
- Ideal acidity (PH 6-6.5)
- Allow roots to grow if you are not too loose
- Allows oxygenation
You can purchase pre-made bags for Aroid soil mix but it is very easy to make your own. You will need to mix the following ingredients:
- Coconut coir (60%)
- Perlite (30%)
- Orchid bark (10%)
The DIY peat soil mix can be adjusted to suit your needs, provided that the ratios remain the same.
3. Watering
P. Melinonii is a native to South America’s humid rainforests. It likes the soil to be moist. The soil will dry out and the leaves will turn brown.
Overwatering can cause similar droopy leaves, but they will turn yellow.
Your Philodendron Melinonii will appreciate a good soak until the water runs out of the container’s bottom drainage holes.
Water only when 50-70% of the soil is dry. This will make it necessary to water your P. Melinonii approximately every other week.
To mimic the rainforest humidity, spray your plant once or twice per week.
Let the tap water cool to room temperature before you pour it on the soil.
Rainwater is better than tap water since it can contain chlorine. You can let the chlorine evaporate overnight if you are unable to get rainwater.
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4. Temperature
Philodendron Melinonii grows best in tropical conditions. This can be reproduced indoors by maintaining temperatures between 18-30.
P. Melinonii should be kept at a minimum of 13 o-15 oC (5GHT2_ o -59 oF). Exposure to these temperatures for too long can cause a plant to become stunted and unhealthy.
5. Humidity
P. Melinonii requires a constant humidity between 65-80% for best growth.
Misting can be done twice per week or more if it’s particularly dry.
You can also add moisture to the air around the plant using:
- A humidifier is a good investment
- You can place it near a bathroom or wetroom
- Keep water containers near the plant.
- Place next to other plants
6. Fertilizer
Proper Philodendron Melinonii maintenance means fertilizing once per month. This can be increased to every six to eight weeks in the winter and spring.
These are signs that your plant may need an extra boost in macronutrients, such as calcium and magnesium
- Slow growth
- Small leaf size
- Pale leaves
A fertilizer with an NPK (nitrogen phosphorus, potassium), the ratio of 20/20:20 is the best for philodendrons. This ratio is common and easily found in commercial fertilizers.
Growth: What to Expect?
Although there are larger varieties of the Aroideana Family, P. Melinonii remains a large plant.
Philodendrons Melinonii purchased in stores will usually reach around 20 inches tall with leaves approximately 8 inches long. They can reach up to 6-8 feet in diameter if kept in the right conditions.
P. Melinonii can grow taller than it is wide as a houseplant. The plant can grow to 8 feet tall with a strong petiole.
Although the plant does not actually “flower”, it can produce an ornamental spathe. One plant can produce up to three blooms per year. Most philodendrons flower from May to July.
How to Propagate Philodendron Melinonii
You can propagate a Philodendron melinonii by taking stem cuttings taken from a healthy plant.
Step 1 Trim a 3- to 4-inch long branch with leaves and expose aerial roots.
Step 2 Take the foliage out of the bottom and leave the roots.
Step 3 Push the cutting about 1-2 inches into the soil. Keep it in a shaded area.
Step 4 The roots should grow within a week and the cutting can be ready for potting.
You can do the same thing with water, instead of soil. Be sure to change the water every few working days.
Plant Toxicity
Human: Toxic. Mild-moderate.
Animals: Toxic. Mild-moderate.
The Melinonii, like all philodendrons, has insoluble calcium oxide crystals. This irritant is found in many plants of the Araceae family. If ingested, it can cause side effects. This plant has moderate-moderate toxicity.
These calcium oxalate crystals can irritate the throat and mouth by chewing or biting on a philodendron. This can cause inflammation of the airway, making it difficult to breathe.
It has been proven that sap can irritate the eyes and skin.
Common Pests, Diseases, and Other Issues
P. Melinonii will present you with the following issues:
Bacterial leaf spot
Bacterial leaf spot disease is the most prevalent disease. The plant’s leaves may show brown spots or black spots. These spots can be irregular in shape and spread and may cause the leaves to become brittle or change color.
You can manage leaf spots by taking out the infected leaves and removing any dead ones. If there are enough photosynthesis-able leaves, the overall stress on the plant is not too severe. The plant can still grow well.
Bacterial Blight
It is easily identified by rapidly expanding dark green spots on leaves and petioles that cause a wet rotting odour.
Blight is also a bacterial problem that can be prevented by watering only the soil and not over-misting leaves.
Magnesium Deficiency
You can tell if your plant has low magnesium levels by yellow v-shaped areas appearing on its leaves.
This can be fixed by adding one teaspoon of magnesium sulfurate to a gallon of water. Then, water your plants as usual.
Tip curl
If your plants’ tips curl down and your roots appear dead, it could be that you have over-fertilized them.
These symptoms can be caused by poor fertilization. If you notice them, reduce your fertilization rate and pot your plant.
These general rules can be used to help you avoid the most common problems.
- Water only the soil and not the leaves. This will ensure that bacteria do not form.
- Don’t over-mist. Over-moisture can be a catalyst for bacterial development.
- Don’t over-fertilize.
- Make sure the plant has sufficient air. You can also aerate the soil with chopsticks, or another similar instrument.
Philodendron Melinonii Care Guide FAQ
Philodendron Melinonii, also known as an epiphyte is a plant that grows on another plant. This is the case of the top natively grown trees in the rainforest.
Philodendron Imperial Green will, however, be found most often in the wild, growing along rocky outcrops or near riverbanks.
The Imperial Green will be typically more vertical than the Melinonii variety.
Why do my Philodendron Melinonii leaves appear pale?
These plants are fond of bright spots and can tolerate just a few hours of direct sunlight per day. It could indicate that your plant is not getting enough sunlight. Consider moving to a more sunny area.
What is wrong with my P. Melinonii?
This is common with Philodendrons. It’s a sign that your plant has been underwatered and the humidity is not high enough. You should water your plant more often if the tips of your leaves are curving and the edges become brown.
To ensure that you don’t overwater your plant, increase the water slowly.
My P. Melinonii is losing some leaves. Is it in danger?
Normal leaf loss occurs. As with all plants, older leaves may eventually fall off by themselves.
It could indicate that your plant has been in shock. If the plant has been moved, it could be due to sudden temperature or light changes.
It may take some time for your plant to adjust. If the symptoms continue, they may be unsuitable.
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