Philodendron melinonii ‘Ghost’

Cultivated origin of Philodendron melinonii ‘Ghost’

‘Melinonii Ghost’ is a cultivated Philodendron name, and exists only in cultivation.

How to care for Philodendron melinonii ‘Ghost’

• Light: Give the plant bright indirect light and protect the pale new leaves from strong sun through glass.
• Temperature and humidity: Temperatures in the region of 18–29 °C are suitable. Keep the surrounding air in the 50–60% range.
• Watering: Check the mix before each watering and avoid a fixed calendar. Water thoroughly once the upper layer has dried, then let excess water drain freely.
• Potting mix: Use an airy mix that retains some moisture while resisting compaction.
• Feeding: During a flush of new growth, give complete houseplant fertiliser sparingly; then taper applications as the plant becomes less active.
• Repotting: Move to a slightly larger pot once roots fill the container. Change broken-down mix as needed; only increase the pot size when the roots are crowded as well. Stabilise the plant with a secure pot suited to its root system.
• Propagation: A rooted basal shoot can be divided away; otherwise use a healthy stem section that includes a node.

Problems and solutions for Philodendron ‘Melinonii Ghost’

• Dry brown patches appear on newly opened pale leaves: Check the path of direct sunlight across the plant and filter it if the freshest leaves are being hit.
• Several leaves yellow while the root zone is saturated: Empty standing water and check the roots for soft tissue. Resume watering only after the mix can drain and aerate properly.

Philodendron melinonii ‘Ghost’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

When and where was Philodendron melinonii first published?

Philodendron combines Greek philein, meaning “to love,” with dendron, meaning “tree.”

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Philodendron in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 780.

Eduard August von Regel first described Philodendron melinonii in 1874 in Gartenflora, volume 23, page 67; Adolphe Théodore Brongniart had proposed the name.