Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Philodendron Andreanum (Philodendron andreanum)— schedule & NPK
Also called Andreanum, Black-Gold Velvet Philodendron.
More about philodendron andreanum
About Philodendron Andreanum
Philodendron andreanum · also called Andreanum, Black-Gold Velvet Philodendron · houseplant
Philodendron andreanum, often sold under the melanochrysum complex, is a velvet-leaved climber prized for elongated, dark blackish-green leaves with pale gold-bronze veins and a soft matte sheen. New leaves emerge smaller and bronze, lengthening dramatically with maturity on a moss pole. It needs warmth, high humidity and bright indirect light.
Growth habit: A climbing, vining philodendron with elongated velvet leaves that lengthen markedly as it matures on a support. Staked on a moss pole it grows upright with ever-larger leaves; unsupported it trails and stays smaller-leaved.
Watch for — Browning leaf edges: The most common issue, driven by low humidity or salt buildup. Raise humidity above 60% and flush the pot with clean water to clear accumulated minerals.
What fertiliser philodendron andreanum actually wants — and why
Philodendron Andreanum is a genuinely hungry tropical — in bright warmth it pushes growth fast and rewards a regular half-strength balanced feed all season.
A balanced liquid feed (even N-P-K) or a slightly nitrogen-leaning foliage feed — this is a big-leaved foliage plant putting on real size, so it wants steady nitrogen for lush leaves, not a bloom formula.
For the language behind the three numbers on the bottle — what nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium each do — see the NPK ratio explained entry. The short version for philodendron andreanum: match the feed to the job the plant is doing right now, not to a generic “plant food” on the shelf.
How often to feed philodendron andreanum, and which months
Feeding only earns its keep while the plant is in active growth and can use the nutrients — pour feed into a dormant or low-light plant and it simply builds up as root-burning salt. For philodendron andreanum:
Feed every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser diluted to half strength to fuel the long velvet leaves. Pause in winter. Flush occasionally, as this velvety species is sensitive to salt buildup and tip burn. For a fast grower like this that means feeding regularly — about every 4-6 weeks — right through spring through early autumn (roughly March to September), tapering off only as light drops in autumn.
The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when philodendron andreanum is resting. For the wider context on indoor feeding rhythms across the seasons, the houseplant fertiliser schedule walks through the year month by month.
What strength to mix for philodendron andreanum
Half strength every feed is the sweet spot for philodendron andreanum: frequent enough to fuel fast growth, dilute enough that it never scorches even when you feed often.
Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water philodendron andreanum first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the philodendron andreanum watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding philodendron andreanum
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for philodendron andreanum:
- Brown, scorched leaf tips and margins despite correct watering.
- A white salt crust on the soil or around the pot edge.
- Sudden leaf yellowing and drop shortly after a strong feed.
- Soft, weak, over-stretched growth that cannot support itself.
Signs you are under-feeding philodendron andreanum
- New leaves coming in noticeably smaller than older ones.
- Pale, yellow-green older leaves and slow growth through peak summer.
- A general loss of vigour and gloss in a plant that should be racing away.
If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full philodendron andreanum care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.
Flushing and leaching the salts
Because you feed often, salts accumulate faster — flush the pot of philodendron andreanum with plain water until it drains freely roughly every month through the feeding season to keep the root zone clean.
Organic vs synthetic feeds for philodendron andreanum
Organic options
A diluted seaweed or fish-and-seaweed feed plus a yearly top-dress of worm castings supports fast growth without burn risk. UK: Westland seaweed or Baby Bio Organic; US: Neptune's Harvest or Espoma Indoor!.
Synthetic / liquid feeds
A balanced houseplant liquid at half strength applied frequently — UK: Baby Bio, Phostrogen or Westland Houseplant Feed; US: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food or Dyna-Gro Foliage-Pro for steady leafy growth.
Brand names are examples, not endorsements, and UK and US ranges differ — check the label’s own NPK and dilution rate, since formulations change.
Fertilising philodendron andreanum — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does philodendron andreanum need?
A balanced liquid feed (even N-P-K) or a slightly nitrogen-leaning foliage feed — this is a big-leaved foliage plant putting on real size, so it wants steady nitrogen for lush leaves, not a bloom formula. Philodendron Andreanum is a genuinely hungry tropical — in bright warmth it pushes growth fast and rewards a regular half-strength balanced feed all season.
How often should I feed philodendron andreanum?
Feed every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser diluted to half strength to fuel the long velvet leaves. Pause in winter. Flush occasionally, as this velvety species is sensitive to salt buildup and tip burn. Feed every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser diluted to half strength to fuel the long velvet leaves. Pause in winter. Flush occasionally, as this velvety species is sensitive to salt buildup and tip burn. For a fast grower like this that means feeding regularly — about every 4-6 weeks — right through spring through early autumn (roughly March to September), tapering off only as light drops in autumn.
What strength of feed for philodendron andreanum?
Half strength every feed is the sweet spot for philodendron andreanum: frequent enough to fuel fast growth, dilute enough that it never scorches even when you feed often.
What does over-feeding philodendron andreanum look like?
Brown, scorched leaf tips and margins despite correct watering. A white salt crust on the soil or around the pot edge. Sudden leaf yellowing and drop shortly after a strong feed. Soft, weak, over-stretched growth that cannot support itself. The mistake here is the opposite of most houseplants: under-feeding a fast tropical in peak season starves it, leaving small, pale new leaves and slow growth — but full-strength doses still burn it, so feed often and weak, not occasionally and strong.
Should I flush the soil of philodendron andreanum?
Because you feed often, salts accumulate faster — flush the pot of philodendron andreanum with plain water until it drains freely roughly every month through the feeding season to keep the root zone clean.
Keep reading
- Philodendron Andreanum care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water philodendron andreanum — the watering schedule
- The houseplant fertiliser schedule — feeding through the year
- NPK ratio explained — what the three numbers on the bottle mean
- How to fertilise snake plant
- How to fertilise dracaena
- How to fertilise peperomia
- All 2464 fertilising guides in the Growli library