The Black Gold Philodendron — a name that captures both the deep, near-black coloration of mature leaves and the golden iridescence that shimmers across their surface in good indirect light. Native to the humid montane forests of Colombia and Ecuador, it is a hemiepiphytic climber that produces large, elongated, deeply velvety leaves with a near-black to very deep forest green surface and pale golden-green venation running at a pronounced angle from the midrib. New leaves emerge in spectacular saturated orange-bronze to copper tones before fading to the extraordinary dark velvet of maturity. Leaf size increases dramatically with vertical climbing, with well-supported mature specimens producing leaves exceeding 24 inches.

Approx 20" Tall

• Light: Bright but soft indirect light — direct sun bleaches the characteristic near-black coloration, while insufficient light reduces the golden iridescence and slows growth.

• Soil: Very chunky, open aroid mix of orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir; excellent drainage and root aeration are essential.

• Temperature/Humidity: Warm temperatures between 65-80°F; humidity of 60-70% supports the best velvet texture and cleanest leaf emergence.

• Watering: Allow the top 1-2" of medium to dry between waterings; water thoroughly and drain completely. Never waterlog.

• Fertilizer: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during active growth; supplement with calcium and magnesium for best leaf quality. Reduce in winter.