Philodendron melinonii ‘Ghost’

The ‘Ghost’ name in cultivation

Philodendron melinonii ‘Ghost’ is the name used in cultivation for a selection associated with Philodendron melinonii. The species occurs in wet tropical forest across northern Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela.

Bright filtered light for pale new leaves

The pale new growth benefits from a bright filtered position but scorches more easily than green foliage.

The short stem is mostly self-supporting, so stabilise the pot and leave the crown open rather than tying the leaf stalks.

Let roughly half of the mix dry, then water evenly. A steady rhythm is especially useful while a pale leaf is expanding.

Warm conditions, moderate to high humidity and airflow through the crown suit the plant. Use an airy bark-led mix and return the stem to its former level when repotting.

Pale leaves brown or stall before they mature

‘Ghost’ leaves can open cream, yellow, lime or mint and then gain green gradually. A single greener leaf does not prove reversion.

• Pale margins turn crisp: Review sudden direct sun, severe drying, cold exposure and fertiliser salts. Pale tissue usually shows these stresses first.
• A pale leaf stops expanding: Inspect the roots and check if the folded blade was trapped inside the broad crown. Also review recent cold or drying stress while the leaf was opening.
• Pale stippling or scars are difficult to see: Use magnification on both leaf surfaces. Fine stippling or bronzing can indicate spider mites; silvery scars and black specks around the folded leaf or sheath point more strongly to thrips.

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.