Which is easier to care for, Philodendron Melanochrysum or Philodendron Pastazanum?

Philodendron Melanochrysum: You want the darkest, most velvet leaf texture in the genus. Philodendron Pastazanum: You want large, glossy, dramatically rippled leaves instead of velvet

Plant Comparison

Philodendron Melanochrysum vs Pastazanum

Melanochrysum, often called the king of Philodendrons, has near-black velvet leaves that darken further with age and elongate dramatically as the plant matures. Pastazanum has broad, glossy, rippled leaves with a completely different texture — smooth rather than velvet, and wavy at the margins. Both eventually produce enormous leaves; the difference is texture, colour, and how much humidity each demands to get there.

Philodendron Melanochrysum

Philodendron melanochrysum

Large velvet Philodendron with near-black leaves that darken and elongate dramatically with maturity. One of the most sought-after collector aroids.

Philodendron Pastazanum

Philodendron pastazanum

Large glossy Philodendron with broad, rippled, wavy-edged leaves. Smoother texture than Melanochrysum and slightly more tolerant of average humidity.

Photo: TheFloracle / CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Side-by-Side Comparison

CategoryPhilodendron MelanochrysumPhilodendron Pastazanum

🍃 Leaf textureDeep velvet, near-blackGlossy and smooth, not velvet

📐 Leaf shapeElongated heart, lengthens with maturityBroad, rippled, wavy margins

📏 Mature size★Leaves to 60–90 cm on a mature climbing plantLeaves to 50–70 cm, broader than long

💦 Humidity70%+ for best leaf quality★60%+ — somewhat more tolerant

🌿 HabitClimbing — needs a pole as it maturesSemi-climbing to sprawling

📈 Growth rateSlow, especially when young★Moderate

💧 WateringEvenly moist; rots if left wet★Evenly moist; slightly more forgiving

🐛 Pest risk★Spider mites — velvet hides themSpider mites, thrips — glossy leaves show damage sooner

💰 PriceHigh — a premium collector plant★Moderate to high

🎯 DifficultyHard★Intermediate to hard

Choose Philodendron Melanochrysum if…

✓You want the darkest, most velvet leaf texture in the genus
✓You can provide 70%+ humidity reliably, or grow in a cabinet
✓You are patient — the best leaves come as the plant matures over years
✓You want the plant most collectors consider the centrepiece species

Philodendron Melanochrysum Problem Guide →

Choose Philodendron Pastazanum if…

✓You want large, glossy, dramatically rippled leaves instead of velvet
✓Your humidity sits nearer 60% than 70%
✓You want somewhat faster growth than Melanochrysum gives
✓You want a slightly easier entry into large-leaved collector Philodendrons

Philodendron Pastazanum Problem Guide →

What They Have in Common

•Both are large-leaved collector Philodendrons prized primarily for foliage
•Both need very chunky, well-draining aroid mix and consistent moisture
•Both take years to reach their most impressive mature leaf size
•Both are toxic to pets and children if chewed

The Verdict

Pastazanum is the more forgiving of the two large-leaved collector Philodendrons and a reasonable step before Melanochrysum. Melanochrysum is the one people actually chase, but it wants consistently high humidity and real patience — the young leaves look nothing like the dramatic near-black elongated leaves a mature plant eventually produces.

🖤 Philodendron Melanochrysum

🩺 Problem Guide →🌿 Care Guide →

🌊 Philodendron Pastazanum

🩺 Problem Guide →🌿 Care Guide →