Philodendron Pastazanum x Melanochrysum

Philodendron Pastazanum × Melanochrysum An unusual and botanically interesting cross that pairs two philodendrons from very different ecological niches — Philodendron pastazanum, the beloved Ecuadorian terrestrial creeper of the Pastaza region with its broad, deeply glossy, heart-shaped leaves strongly impressed with primary venation and a strictly ground-level rhizome habit; and Philodendron melanochrysum, the Colombian hemiepiphytic climber known as the Black Gold Philodendron for its large, elongated, deeply velvety near-black leaves with iridescent gold-pale green venation that emerges in rich bronze tones before darkening to their characteristic deep, lustrous near-black maturity. The contrast between the parents makes this a genuinely hybrid-vigor cross in the truest sense — pastazanum contributes its broad, glossy, large-format leaf constitution and terrestrial vigor; melanochrysum contributes velvet surface quality, dark pigmentation, elongated leaf form, and the iridescent venation that makes it one of the most visually dramatic climbing philodendrons in cultivation. The offspring occupy a middle ground between these contrasting parents: large-scale, broadly cordate to somewhat elongated leaves that carry some degree of the melanochrysum's dark, velvety surface quality alongside pastazanum's leaf scale and structural presence, with new growth showing bronzed emergent coloration from the melanochrysum lineage. The growth habit of individual seedlings likely varies — some leaning toward pastazanum's terrestrial rhizome constitution, others toward melanochrysum's climbing tendency — making this a cross where support structure and pot choice should follow the plant's own inclination as it develops. Bright indirect light supports both the fullest leaf size and the best melanochrysum-derived dark velvet coloration and iridescent venation — insufficient light in particular reduces the characteristic dark pigmentation from the melanochrysum parent. Allow the top 1-2" of medium to dry between waterings in a chunky, well-draining aroid mix of orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir; both parents are sensitive to overwatering and root rot. Humidity of 60-70%+ supports the cleanest leaf emergence and best velvet quality. Provide a moss pole or wide pot depending on whether the plant tends to climb or crawl. Maintain warm temperatures between 65-82°F. Toxic to humans and pets if ingested.