Philodendron melinonii
N. South America (the Guianas, Venezuela) to N. Brazil; epiphytic in wet tropical forest
First described by Brongn. ex Regel.
Broad, glossy, bright green paddle/oblong leaves with slightly wavy margins, on stout petioles often edged in red.
Self-heading epiphyte forming a large rosette; does not climb. Develops a short trunk with age.
Genus from Greek 'philo' (love) + 'dendron' (tree), referring to many species' habit of climbing trees. Epithet honours the 19th-century French collector Mélinon.
Philodendron melinonii (Brongn. ex Regel) is native from northern South America to northern Brazil. A self-heading epiphyte, it forms a large rosette of broad, glossy, paddle-shaped leaves on stout petioles whose margins are often tinged red. It is a robust, easy plant that resembles a bird's-nest in habit.
An easy, robust self-header: bright indirect light, a roomy pot, an airy mix kept lightly moist, and average-to-high humidity. No support needed; give it space to form its broad rosette.
Airy aroid mix (40% orchid bark, 40% coco coir, 20% perlite) in a roomy pot. Repot every 2 years; keep as a self-heading rosette.
Monthly during growing season (spring–summer)
- Root rot from overwatering; smaller leaves in low light; spider mites in dry air; outgrowing its pot.
- It forms a broad, bird's-nest-like rosette rather than climbing.
- The petiole margins are often tinged an attractive red.
- It's named after the 19th-century French collector Mélinon, who worked in French Guiana.