The Philodendron Melinonii might be a Philodendron cultivar that you have not heard of before. This is not a tropical houseplant that often shows up in your Instagram feed. But they are beautiful to look at and can be a great addition to any Philodendron collection. In this article, we go over everything you need to know about how to care for a Philodendron Melinonii plant.
Quick Overview of Philodendron Melinonii Care
| Scientific Name | Philodendron melinonii Brongn. ex Regel |
| Light Requirements | Bright indirect light. Can tolerate some sunlight. |
| Watering Needs | Allow the top few inches of the soil to dry out between watering. |
| Temperatures | 60°F – 85°F |
| Humidity | Above 50% |
| Fertilizer | Fertilize once a month in the spring and summer months. |
| Soil | Use a bark based soil medium. |
| Toxicity | Toxic to pets. |
Philodendron Melinonii Plant Origin
Native to South America in Northern Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela, Suriname, and French Guiana, the Philodendron Melinonii was first identified in 1874.
It can be found in the forests growing on tree limbs high up in the rainforest canopy.
Philodendron Melinonii Scientific Name
Philodendron melinonii Brongn. ex Regel
Varieites of Philodendron Melinonii
There is one other variety of the Philodendron Melinonii, and that is the Philodendron Melinonii Gold (also commonly called The Golden Melinonii or Philodendron Golden Melinonii).
This Melinonii has bright yellow-green colored leaves whereas the regular Melinonii has darker green leaves.
Philodendron Melinonii Light Requirements
Bright indirect light is best for these plants, like many other Philodendrons.
But unlike other Philodendrons, the Melinonii can tolerate more sunlight directly. Allowing the plant to be in the morning sunlight is the ideal choice but if the afternoon sun is the only choice then about an hour is tolerable.
Philodendron Melinonii Watering Needs
Once the top couple of inches of soil has dried out it is time to water your plant.
Trying to use watering schedules with these plants is not a good idea as this can easily lead to overwatering the plant. Overwatering can cause root rot and that is hard to get a Melinonii to recover from.
Temperature Range
The ideal temperature range for the Melinonii is between 60°F – 85°F (15°C to 30°C).
If the temperature drops below 55°F (13°C) the plant can start to get damaged due to being too cold.
Humidity
The optimal humidity for the Melinonii is 50% or more. Using a humidifier near your plant can help keep humidity levels in the range that you need.
Misting
It is best not to mist your Melinonii in order to try to keep humidity levels elevated. Misting can cause bacterial leaf spot on the plant.
Fertilizer
During the spring and summer months, fertilize your plant once a month. Organic liquid houseplant fertilizers are best to use for these plants.
Soil
A bark based soil medium is best for these plants. You can buy a premade orchid soil mix and add more perlite or make your own.
To make your own mix use the following:
- 2 parts potting soil
- 1 part coco coir or peat
- 4 parts bark
- 1 part perlite
- 1 part worm castings
Philodendron Melinonii Propagation
The Melinonii is propagated by separating the pups that the parent plant will produce and putting them in their own pots.
The key to propagation of the Philodendron Melinonii is giving it the right care and optimal conditions so that it will produce offspring.
Having the plant in high humidity with direct morning sun can help encourage it to produce pups.
Pets and Toxicity
The Philodendron Melinonii is toxic to both cats and dogs. This particular variety of Philodendron is not listed by the ASPCA, but all Philodendrons contain oxalates that cause GI upset, and ingestion in large quantities can cause even more harm.
If your pet has ingested or chewed on your Melinonii contact your vet right away.
Finding a Philodendron Melinonii
These plants can be harder to come across if you are looking for one to add to your collection.
Is the Philodendron Melinonii Rare?
The Melinonii is not as popular as other types of Philodendrons such as the Pink Princess or Melanochrysum so they can be harder to find for sale.
Most often you will need to look online on sites such as Etsy to locate individuals selling Philodendron Melinonii plants.