This is a tissue culture of Philodendron melanochrysum (Variegated)—a clonal selection of the species known for its elongated velvet foliage and stable, high-contrast yellow-to-cream variegation. Native to the cloud forests of Colombia, P. melanochrysum is a hemiepiphytic climber with internodes designed for vertical growth in diffuse light. The variegated form is rare in cultivation and, unlike many unstable sports, this clone maintains both sectoral and marbled expression across successive nodes.
Leaves emerge with a soft bronze flush and mature to a deep velvet green with shimmering iridescence. Variegation often aligns with the leaf’s vascular architecture, creating lightning-strike patterns of pale yellow, cream, or even mint tones depending on environment and maturity. The adaxial surface (top of the leaf) is matte and velvety, while the abaxial surface (underside) remains smooth and darker-toned with faint maroon hues near the midrib. Petioles are semi-terete, with faint ridging and burgundy coloration under higher light.
This is a lab-propagated, unacclimated tissue culture, intended for experienced growers or those ready to begin learning tissue culture acclimation techniques. Not yet transitioned to ambient conditions.
Choose your plant:
– Exact TC Shown: Receive the exact culture pictured.
– Grower’s Choice: We’ll select from the same clone batch—same genetics, same variegation lineage.
What You’ll Receive:
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One rooted tissue culture in sealed sterile vessel
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Propagated in-house for a minimum of 6 weeks post-initiation
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Rooted on Murashige & Skoog medium with charcoal and reduced auxins to balance vertical elongation and root anchoring
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Not acclimated; will require transition to open-air conditions upon receipt
From FGMN Labs
This is a verified clonal tissue culture propagated at FGMN Labs. Every stage—from explant selection to post-initiation rooting—is managed in-house. We don’t outsource or bulk-buy stock; every melanochrysum variegated TC you receive has been grown, monitored, and documented from sterile vessel to ship-ready status by hand.
If you're shopping for true lab-grown Philodendron melanochrysum variegated, this is the source collectors trust.
Acclimation Notes:
Like many velvet-leaf aroids, tissue cultures of Philodendron melanochrysum are particularly sensitive to humidity loss during transition. Newly deflasked cultures lack the protective cuticle found on mature plants, and their stomata remain fully open—making VPD, or Vapor Pressure Deficit, the most important variable to manage.
What’s VPD?
VPD measures how fast moisture evaporates into the air. A low VPD = warm and humid = slow, gentle drying. A high VPD = dry air = rapid dehydration, which tissue cultures cannot tolerate.
Ideal VPD during acclimation:
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85–90% relative humidity
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75–82°F (24–28°C)
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Target VPD: 0.4–0.8 kPa
Start your culture in a sealed humidity dome or prop box with low airflow and bright but indirect light. Avoid fans, vents, or sudden exposure to ambient room conditions until new leaf material develops. Once the plant begins growing outside the gel, transition to a breathable mix—sphagnum, perlite, and fine bark work well for early rooting.