How To Tell Apart Philodendron melanochrysum from Philodendron micans

Are you new to rare plants and having a bit of a hard time identifying between different species while on your own plant-collecting journey? Don’t despair! With time, practice and exposure, you will be able to differentiate between many plants like a pro! In this article, you will learn how to differentiate Philodendron melanochrysum from Philodendron micans.

Plant Identification

So what physical characteristics should you look for when identifying plants? Here are some basic traits that you should observe and make note of:

• Leaf shape
• Color and markings
• Venation
• Petiole features
• Texture
• Growth pattern
• Inflorescences

We’re going to keep it simple and avoid the scientific, overly-technical jargon. If you want to get into the nitty-gritty of botanical morphology and identification, I would recommend doing your own research or taking botany classes.

Philodendron Micans

Philodendron micans is a gorgeous and classic plant that belongs in every collection. The leaves are similar in size to the ubiquitous pothos and heart-shaped (cordate). They have a soft, suede-like texture, and are usually dark green with deep bronze and burgundy undertones.

The undersides of the leaves tend to be a reddish color.

New leaves emerge as a bronze or buff brown and will turn dark green after they harden off and mature. P. micans has a vining, sprawling growth pattern, and will crawl or climb in every direction. While many philodendrons grow larger leaves when they start to climb vertically, the size of P. micans tends to remain small.

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Check out these additional articles on Philodendrons:

• The Top 12 Philodendrons You Must Have
• The Botanical Chick’s Aroid Potting Mix
• An In-Depth Guide to Philodendron Care

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Philodendron Melanochrysum

Philodendron melanochrysum is another very popular rare plant that is found all over social media. When young, it can look very similar to P. micans.

P. melanochrysum has iridescent, dark green― almost black― heart-shaped leaves similar to P. micans. However, they have pale green/white veins that are brighter and more visually prominent. They also have white margins. When fully mature, the leaves can reach up to 2 feet long. Over time, it will put out bigger and bigger leaves the higher it climbs. Make your plant happy by giving it a moss pole or some other vertical structure to climb.

Compared to P. micans, their climbing growth habit is much neater and distinctly vertical. There are no loose, sprawling vines growing in all directions. You can say that P. melanochrysum is the more elegant and stylish cousin of the messy and chaotic P. micans.

The young leaves of P. melanochrysum emerge in a rich bronze color. The contrast between the green-black mature leaves and the young bronze leaves results in a very sultry, eye-catching plant. Not surprisingly, the vivid color differences makes P. melanochrysum one of the most sought-after plant species today.

P. melanochrysum’s leaves are velvety with a lovely sheen to them. The veins can be quite vibrant.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, I hope this short, concise identification guide helps you determine the differences between Philodendron melanochrysum from Philodendron micans in your own plant collecting journey. While they are both similar in appearance, careful observation .

Or, if all this plant identification stuff sounds too hard, don’t worry, there is another solution. With the advancement of technology, you can use a smartphone app to identify plants. On the other hand, it’s always impressive being able to identify plants on your own without the help of technology. Rattle off some scientific names and your friends and family members will be amazed!