Who says gold can only be found underground? How about we tell you the ultimate secret to planting gold in your house? Yes, you guessed it right, we are talking about none other than the famous Black Gold Philodendron plant.
Good looking, naturally vibrant and adaptable-these plants have the qualities of an ideal house plant. Caring for plants seems like a daunting task as there is a lot at stake, but luckily this house plant will nourish with limited caring.
Read the following post and learn all there is to know about these unique species.
Detailed care and propagation guide about the Black Gold Philodendron. Good looking, and adaptable-these plants have the qualities of an ideal house plant.
Black Gold Philodendron Classification
The botanical name of this plant is Philodendron Melanochrysum. Belonging to the Araceae family, these plants originate from the wet foothills of Colombia. It has been given the name of Black Gold due to the color of its leaves which resembles black in darkness and shines like gold in the sunlight.
The Appearance of Black Gold Philodendron Plant
Let’s discuss the beauty and splendor of its appearance. Without a doubt, the most prominent feature of the Black Gold Philodendron is its large, heart-shaped leaves. You won’t be able to keep your hands off once you touch their velvety smooth texture. Surprisingly these leaves can go up to two feet in length.
Keep in mind that the leaves are covered with beautiful patterns of pale yellow veins. These patterns create a beautiful contrast and enhance the overall look.
Black Gold Philodendron Care
Caring for gold black Philodendron is quite simple. Although it is a tropical plant, it adapts well to new environments if you take care of its needs. Exposure to light, a moderate supply of water, well-made soil mixture-these are the main factors supporting its growth.
Let’s discuss the details of these major factors:
Water Requirement
Moderation is the key to watering these sensitive plants. Overwatering will inflict it with root rot which gradually sucks out oxygen supply from the roots. Ideally, you should use water of pH 5.5 to 6 for hydrating gold black Philodendron.
You must make sure that your plant gets the right amount of water by protecting its soil mixture from running dry. You can judge the soil’s moisture level by placing your finger on it. If it is too dry then that’s not a good sign. If it’s slightly damp then you can postpone the watering routine by a few days,
Generally, when you notice the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil mixture getting dry, then you should water it. Additionally, you should water them fully until the water is drained through the pot’s drainage holes.
Sunlight Requirement
The Black Gold Philodendron derives its energy from indirect, bright shade light. Contrary to popular belief, this plant does not require direct sunlight. Direct sunlight will spoil the quality of its leaves or in some extreme cases just burn them.
Indoor grow lights are the perfect substitute for sunlight and they can also support the growth cycle of paper gold black philodendron. If you wish to provide it with natural light, then you should place it near an east-facing or north-facing window.
Sunny days might turn out to be difficult for your plant hence, it is advisable to change Philodendron’s position and take precautionary steps for its protection.
Temperature and Humidity Requirement
The black gold philodendron has a slightly different taste especially when it comes to temperature and humidity. Let’s just say the more humid the weather is, the more your gold black plant will love it. Keep in mind that 60% and above humidity level will help your plant stay fresh and vibrant.
The most suitable temperature for black gold philodendron is between 70-80F. On the other hand, temperature below 60F is a definite no for this plant. Similarly, you should not place this plant outdoors during adverse weather conditions like snow and ice.
Soil Requirement
You have to be extremely careful when preparing the soil base for your black gold philodendron. Most experts consider sphagnum peat moss as the best soil type for these philodendrons.
When purchasing a commercial soil mix, you have to make sure that it is enriched with organic matter. Similarly, Philodendrons require a soil mix that can drain out excess water. Ideally, you should go for soil mixtures that can maintain balanced levels of moisture and don’t run dry quickly.
Fertilizer Requirement
Fertilizing philodendron melanochrysum is an important part of its caring rituals. These unique plants get their strength from nitrogen-rich fertilizers. You must be vigilant during their active growing season(early spring to late summer) and regularly fertilize them.
Besides regular fertilizers, you can also use liquid fertilizers for black gold philodendron. You must avoid fertilizing these plants in winter or the off-season.
Pest Issues
The good news is that indoor black gold philodendrons do not attract the attention of deadly pests and diseases. Still, you should be on the lookout and take precautionary measures for protection from common pests like fungus gnats, spider mites, and mealybugs.
Black Gold Philodendron-Growth Rate
The major selling point of these plants is their moderate growth rate. Unlike other plants, these do not take ages to mature. A well-nourished philodendron grows 6-12 inches per year.
The leaves of this plant reach their optimum length of two to three feet, whereas the plant itself can reach a height of five to ten feet when it is kept indoors. If you decide to grow them outdoors then you will end up with a twenty feet tall plant.
Price Range
We hate to break it to you that these special plants do not come at a cheap rate. Firstly, these plants are extremely beautiful which makes them a highly sought item. Secondly, they are not available at regular nurseries and are rare to find. Both these reasons make it a valuable product in terms of price and quality.
How To Propagate Black Gold Philodendron
As a plant owner, it is incumbent upon you to know how to propagate your plants. Propagating black gold is fairly easy and can be done through the following two methods:
Stem Cutting:
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- This method requires you to start pruning the stem cuttings from the main plant with the help of pruning scissors. You must cut a two to four inches long piece above the leaf node and ensure it has two leaves.
- Leave these fresh cuttings in a warm location where they can heal and recover.
- Take a new plant pot and fill it with well-drained soil.
- Once you notice the fresh cutting has become callused, you can plant it in the new pot by making a small hole for it.
- Position your new plant in a place where it receives sufficient light for its growth.
Air Layering:
This method requires you to add some sphagnum moss to a plant’s node. You either wrap this plant node with a plastic bag or with a cling film. By doing this you will ensure that the node gets enough humidity to grow roots. Once the newly produced roots mature, you can cut the stem and place it in a new pot.
Black Gold Philodendron Problems
A lousy caring routine or insufficient knowledge can cost you a lot as they become detrimental to the growth of philodendrons. Luckily, we have easy solutions for some of its most common problems. These solutions are easy to perform and will help you out especially if you are struggling with caring for these precious plants.
Yellowing Leaves
Are you worried sick about your luscious leaves turning yellow? The good news is that this serious problem is treatable. All you have to do is to cut off the damaged leaves. Additionally, you have to make sure that you don’t overwater your plant. Excessive water supply is the main root cause of this problem which is why it should be avoided at all costs
Brown Leaves
Brown leaves are never a good sign. These leaves are early indicators of your plant’s failing health. If you notice your plant is getting low on energy and is developing brown leaves then you should instantly take action.
These damaged leaves can be caused due to prolonged exposure to sunlight. If that is the case then you have to change your plant’s resting position and arrange a healthier light system for it.
On the other hand, brown leaves can also be a result of low moisture levels. To make sure your plant does not have dry spells from lack of moisture you must use a high-quality soil mixture and fertilizers.
Keep in mind that brown leaves in older plants are not a sign of bad health, rather they signify the natural course of aging in plants.
Dropping Leaves
When you see your Philodendron’s leaves drooping and dropping then you should fix the problem. The dropping leaves can be an early sign of overwatering. You can save your plant from the harmful effects of overwatering by cutting down on its water intake.
However, drooping leaves are also caused by root rot. Treating root rot is complicated especially if it has progressed to an advanced stage. If you are fortunate enough to detect root rot in its early stages then you should clean the roots and prune them with sterilized scissors.
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Conclusion
On the surface, the caring routine for this plant appears to be an overwhelming task. However, once you manage to develop a bond with your philodendron, then you will love every step of its caring rituals. We hope that this post turns out to be helpful for you so much so that you can parent your plants most affectionately.
