Fertilising guide
How to fertilise Philodendron Melanochrysum (Philodendron melanochrysum)— schedule & NPK
Also called Black Gold Philodendron, Melanochrysum, Melano, Velvet-leaf Philodendron.
More about philodendron melanochrysum
About Philodendron Melanochrysum
Philodendron melanochrysum · also called Black Gold Philodendron, Melanochrysum · tropical
Philodendron melanochrysum, the Black Gold Philodendron, is a Colombian rainforest climber prized for elongated, velvety dark-green leaves with golden veining. It wants bright indirect light, high humidity, warmth, and a moss pole to climb. Slow-growing but stunning. ASPCA-listed as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates.
Growth habit: Evergreen epiphytic climber. In the wild it scrambles up rainforest trees toward the canopy. Indoors it needs a moss pole or trellis to climb, which encourages larger, more dramatic mature leaves. Slow-growing compared with many philodendrons.
Watch for — Crispy brown leaf tips and edges: Usually low humidity, under-watering, or salt buildup from fertiliser. Raise humidity above 60% and keep the soil evenly moist; flush the soil periodically.
What fertiliser philodendron melanochrysum actually wants — and why
Philodendron Melanochrysum 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 melanochrysum: 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 melanochrysum, 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 melanochrysum:
Feed monthly through spring and summer with a balanced, diluted liquid houseplant fertiliser. Stop or sharply reduce feeding in autumn and winter when growth slows. Flush the soil occasionally to prevent salt buildup, which can scorch leaf edges. For a fast grower like this that means feeding regularly — about monthly — 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 melanochrysum 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 melanochrysum
Half strength every feed is the sweet spot for philodendron melanochrysum: 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 melanochrysum first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the philodendron melanochrysum watering schedule.
Signs you are over-feeding philodendron melanochrysum
Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for philodendron melanochrysum:
- 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 melanochrysum
- 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 melanochrysum 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 melanochrysum 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 melanochrysum
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 melanochrysum — frequently asked questions
What fertiliser does philodendron melanochrysum 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 Melanochrysum 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 melanochrysum?
Feed monthly through spring and summer with a balanced, diluted liquid houseplant fertiliser. Stop or sharply reduce feeding in autumn and winter when growth slows. Flush the soil occasionally to prevent salt buildup, which can scorch leaf edges. Feed monthly through spring and summer with a balanced, diluted liquid houseplant fertiliser. Stop or sharply reduce feeding in autumn and winter when growth slows. Flush the soil occasionally to prevent salt buildup, which can scorch leaf edges. For a fast grower like this that means feeding regularly — about monthly — right through spring through early autumn (roughly March to September), tapering off only as light drops in autumn.
What strength of feed for philodendron melanochrysum?
Half strength every feed is the sweet spot for philodendron melanochrysum: frequent enough to fuel fast growth, dilute enough that it never scorches even when you feed often.
What does over-feeding philodendron melanochrysum 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 melanochrysum?
Because you feed often, salts accumulate faster — flush the pot of philodendron melanochrysum with plain water until it drains freely roughly every month through the feeding season to keep the root zone clean.
Keep reading
- Philodendron Melanochrysum care — the full brief (light, soil, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water philodendron melanochrysum — 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 monstera
- How to fertilise pothos
- How to fertilise fiddle leaf fig
- All 389 fertilising guides in the Growli library