Phrynium macrocephalum Plant Care
Phrynium macrocephalum K.Schum.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Phrynium macrocephalum is a plant in the family Marantaceae, whose native range is New Guinea.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect to medium light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Phrynium macrocephalum?
Water Phrynium macrocephalum every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect to medium light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Phrynium macrocephalum?
Phrynium macrocephalum (Phrynium macrocephalum) belongs to the Marantaceae family within the Phrynium genus.
Phrynium macrocephalum displays a clumping herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Phrynium macrocephalum produces showy bracts with small inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Phrynium macrocephalum?
Phrynium macrocephalum requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Phrynium macrocephalum Need?
Phrynium macrocephalum thrives in bright indirect to medium light. Avoid placing Phrynium macrocephalum in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to medium light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Phrynium macrocephalum Prefer?
Phrynium macrocephalum grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Phrynium macrocephalum prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Phrynium macrocephalum?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Phrynium macrocephalum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Phrynium macrocephalum?
Feed Phrynium macrocephalum every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Phrynium macrocephalum?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Phrynium macrocephalum?
Phrynium macrocephalum can be propagated through division of rhizomes, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to phrynium imbricatum plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Phrynium macrocephalum Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Phrynium macrocephalum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Phrynium macrocephalum?
Phrynium macrocephalum is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Phrynium macrocephalum Need?
Phrynium macrocephalum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Phrynium macrocephalum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Phrynium macrocephalum is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Phrynium genus — compare its care with other Phrynium species on PlantoScan.
Phrynium is part of the Marantaceae plant family — browse all Marantaceae genera and species.
Phrynium macrocephalum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Phrynium macrocephalum K.Schum., family Marantaceae (first published in Fl. Kais. Wilh. Land : 30 (1889)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Phrynium macrocephalum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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