Anthurium plant?
Anthurium plants, the largest genus in the Araceae arum family, are known for their bright tropical appearance and diverse range of over 1000 species. With a low maintenance care schedule and months-long blooms, they are ideal for novice plant owners. The colorful heart-shaped leaves, which appear like waxy blooms, are actually spadix leaves protecting the spadix, which contains several tiny flowers. Anthuriums are also known as the Flamingo Flower, Hawaiian Heart, Painted Tongue, and Painters Palette due to their unique shape and spadix.
Anthuriums symbolize hospitality due to their open, heart-shaped shape and long-lasting characteristics. However, they are toxic if consumed, irritating the mouth, throat, and intestinal tract. To avoid this, keep them out of reach of pets and children, and avoid contact with the sap if the sap comes into contact with the skin. By following these care guidelines, you can enjoy the vibrant and colorful anthurium plant for years to come.
| Common Names | Anthurium, tailflower, flamingo flower, laceleaf |
| Botanical Name | Anthurium spp. |
| Family | Araceae |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous, perennial |
| Mature Size | 12-18 in. tall, 9- to 12-inch wide |
| Sun Exposure | Partial |
| Soil Type | Well-drained |
| Soil pH | Acidic |
| Bloom Time | Spring, summer, fall, winter |
| Flower Color | Red, pink, white |
| Hardiness Zones | 11-12 (USDA) |
| Native Area | Central America, South America, Caribbean |
| Toxicity | Toxic to humans and pets |
What is special about anthurium?
Anthurium, also known as Flamingo flowers or pigtail plants, is a beautiful evergreen plant with vibrant, heart-shaped blooms that bring joy and happiness to any room. It is easy to grow, has attractive foliage, and produces long-lasting flowers year-round under the right environment. Anthuriums are also considered lucky plants by Feng Shui and are associated with the highest feelings of love and friendship.
In ancient Greece, Anthurium flowers were believed to be Cupid’s arrows, or the god of love. They have become a symbol of Christmas festivities, similar to poinsettia and fir. Gifting an Anthurium in person shows sincere, pure, and strong feelings of friendship towards the recipient.
Anthuriums are listed in NASA’s air purifying plants list and are one of the best houseplants to have in your home. Their large, dark leaves suck up ammonia, formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene, making them a thoughtful present for a workplace, especially around copiers, printers, or adhesives. Overall, Anthuriums are a symbol of love, friendship, and luck, making them a valuable addition to any home.
Is anthurium a good indoor plant?
Grow your anthurium in a spot that gets plenty of bright, indirect light but no direct sunshine. Anthuriums do best in a warm room that’s around 15-20°C, away from draughts and radiators. High humidity is best, so a bathroom or conservatory is ideal for them. Grouping plants together can help to raise humidity.
How often do you water an anthurium?
Anthuriums are a lesser-known plant that have been undergoing breeding and cultivating recently, making a comeback due to their unique flowers and low maintenance requirements, particularly when it comes to water. Anthuriums are slow-growing plants with flat, spade-shaped leaves and colorful flowers. The most noticeable part of the flower is the spathe, which ranges in color from milk white to deep burgundy. The spadix, a tall, narrow spike in varying colors, is the actual flower. Anthuriums require light watering due to their tropical nature and large, fleshy roots that rot easily in waterlogged soil. They only need to be watered once a week or so. To water an anthurium, allow the soil to dry out noticeably first, then give it a good watering and leave it alone until it’s dried out again.
However, watering anthuriums is not completely unnecessary, as excessive drying can cause the tips of the leaves to yellow. One effective way to manage anthurium water requirements is to hold off on repotting the plant, as rootbound plants can retain more water and benefit from it.
The Monstera fruit, resembling a corn ear covered in green scales, is a delicious treat for the taste buds. Its yellowish fruit, also resembling corn kernels, is beneath the scales. Timing is crucial when sampling this exotic fruit, which thrives in hot, humid conditions. Once the scales come off and the fruit emits a sweet aroma, it’s ready to eat. However, eating too soon can be uncomfortable, making it a game of Russian roulette.
How do I take care of my anthurium?
Anthuriums are easy to care for due to their humid environment and warm temperatures. They are toxic to pets and people, especially children, and should be kept in a safe place away from snooping pets or curious children. To maintain a healthy anthurium, water them regularly, ensuring the soil is slightly wet and using a nursery pot with plenty of drainage holes. Misting the leaves daily or giving it a sauna session can help keep humidity high.
Anthuriums need the right amount of light to keep their foliage looking radiant. In the jungle, they get a dappled dose of sunlight through the canopy, so place them in a room with medium light to bring out more blooms on their flower spikes. Avoid direct sunlight as it can roast the leaves. The ideal temperature range for anthuriums is between 18 and 26°C, but colder than 10°C can halt growth.
Repotting anthuriums is recommended every two or three years to keep their blooming cycle going. Small white root-like arms from the stems are called “aerial roots” and help the plant grip onto trees and other plants. If they bother you, simply remove them.
Although anthuriums’ flower spikes will continue to bloom, they will eventually start to wilt at the end of their life cycle. Cut these struggling stems off as close as possible to the soil to encourage next year’s troupe. Feeding your anthurium half-strength fertiliser once each season in spring and summer can also inspire more flamboyant flowers.
more informattion: Indirect Light
Types of Anthurium
Anthurium is a diverse genus of the arum family (Araceae) with around 1000 different species. These plants have evergreen, decorative foliage and are known for their striking white vein patterns and heart-shaped leaves. Some popular houseplants include Anthurium crystallinum, queen anthurium, Anthurium andreanum, Anthurium scherzerianum, Anthurium veitchii, and Anthurium clarinervium.
Anthhurium crystallinum is known for its dark green leaves and striking white vein pattern. It grows as an epiphyte in South America and prefers loose orchid soil. Queen anthurium, also known as the “queen of anthuriums,” has dark green leaves, eye-catching white vein patterns, and subtle flowers. It can grow up to two meters in size with proper care.
Anthhurium andreanum, also known as the flamingo flower or painter’s palette, has heart-shaped leaves that grow up to 40 cm wide and a flower bulb enclosed in a colorful bract. Anthurium scherzerianum, also known as flamingo flower or pigtail plant, has elongated leaves and a small flower bulb. It thrives in loose soil and good water supply.
Hybrids of Anthurium andreanum and scherzerianum are common, with varieties like ‘Baron’, ‘Rosee Choco’, ‘Midori’, ‘Cheers’, and ‘Acropolis’. To ensure a sufficient supply of nutrients, fertilize your anthurium little and often with potassium-rich fertilizers like Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food.
King anthurium, also known as the “king of anthuriums,” has large, lanceolate leaves that display ridges instead of a white vein pattern. It prefers a warm, humid climate and prefers a very aerated substrate like orchid soil.
Anthhurium clarinervium, also known as the heart leaf plant, has dark green, heart-shaped leaves with a beautiful white vein pattern. Both species produce fruit on their flowering bulbs and prefer bright locations but not full sun.
How to Grow Anthurium From Seed
To promote flowering varieties’ blooms, use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer, ensure well-draining soil to prevent root rot, and maintain adequate moisture for root absorption. Misting aerial roots from stems is also beneficial.
How to Get Anthurium to Bloom
To promote flowering varieties’ blooms, use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer, ensure well-draining soil to prevent root rot, and maintain adequate moisture for root absorption. Misting aerial roots from stems is also beneficial.
Common Problems With Anthurium
The bacterial disease Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae infects Anthurium plants by entering pores along the leaf margins, which can be torn through pruning or punctured by insects. Guttation droplets form at night when humidity is high and potting soil is warm and wet, providing food for the invading bacteria. Some infected plants are asymptomatic for months as they multiply, and bacteria in the guttation fluid from these asymptomatic plants can infect adjacent plants.
Invading bacteria quickly spread throughout the plant, causing leaves to exhibit a bronzed appearance, reduced floral quality, and unmarketable flowers. Eventually, plants wilt and die. Factors favoring the disease include low greenhouse humidity and temperature, increased air circulation, and ventilation in the production facility.
To control and treat the disease, lower greenhouse humidity and temperature, use clean, tissue-cultured plantlets when establishing new plantings, and sterilize knives and clippers by dipping them in disinfectants between plants. Discard infected plants immediately.
Ralstonia solanacearum is an opportunistic pathogen that colonizes soil and can remain viable for years without a host plant. Cool greenhouse temperatures may temporarily mask symptoms and give bacteria time to spread. A strict sanitation program is the most successful way to stop the spread of this pathogen and eventually eradicate it from a production facility. Fungicides containing phosphorous acid have been shown to be effective in preventing infection but do not cure systemically infected plants.
In conclusion, Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae is a bacterial disease that can cause significant damage to Anthurium plants. Control measures include lowering greenhouse humidity and temperature, using disinfectants, and implementing strict sanitation programs to prevent the spread of the disease.
FAQ
How long do anthuriums bloom?
Anthuriums can bloom all year round, but they typically bloom for about three months. After three months her cycle begins again. In winter the plant usually produces fewer flowers, but as soon as the sun is visible again, the anthuriums awaken from their hibernation and are full of energy. Just like us actually.
How many anthurium variations are there?
There are more than 600 different variations of anthuriums available. Do you have a favorite variety or color that you can’t find at your florist? Ask around, most florists can source all varieties and sizes and will see no problem ordering them for you.
read more: Considering some reason about how long do anthurium plants live?
