Anthurium Arisaemoides is an incredible Anthurium variety with charismatic evergreen foliage. It has green to light-green, long leaves with purplish blooms. As it is a low-maintenance species, it is also grown indoors as a houseplant. It can also be grown in an office space where the light levels are relatively lower, and most plants do not survive. If you learn the basics of its care routine, you can easily grow this plant in your home. So without further ado, let’s get to know more about this plant.
Anthurium Arisaemoides Classification
- Family: Araceae
- Subfamily: Pothoideae
- Genus: Anthurium
Origin and Distribution
This Anthurium variety was first classified and published by Holdridge in 1971. This plant is abundantly found in Ecuador and Peru.
Anthurium Arisaemoides Appearance
Foliage
This plant produces pale-green to dark-green, evenly-spaced leaves on elongated stems. These leaves have purplish-red undersides and a somewhat glossy texture. The areas of leaves between the veins bulge, and the veins are shallow. Each leaf is 11 inches long and 3 inches wide.
Blooms
It produces green to purplish-red, axillary, and erect inflorescence that consists of a spathe and spadix. The linear to ovate spathe is pale to green with a purple tinge, while the long, tapered spadix is yellow-green to pink.
Size
This plant reaches 12 to 20 inches, and its foliage covers 18 to 24 inches wide space. Its height and width increase when grown outdoors.
Anthurium Arisaemoides Care
Quick Guide
- Watering: After the top 2 inches of its soil gets dry.
- Soil type: Well-draining, peat-based soil mix.
- Sunlight: Medium.
- Temperature: 15°C to 25°C.
- Humidity: 80%
- Fertilizer: A slow-release fertilizer every 3-4 months.
Here is a detailed care guide for you.
Anthurium Arisaemoides Watering Requirements
Anthurium Arisaemoides have thick, fleshy roots. Its roots are more susceptible to root rot than other plant species. It is why you should be more cautious not to overwater it. Allow the soil to get dry between waterings so that the plant is not standing in moist soil all the time.
Use the finger test to check if the top 2 inches of the soil is dry yet. If it is dry, it is time to water your plant. You should also mist your plant regularly, more often in summers. The watering frequency should be decreased as winter approaches.
Soil Requirements
To protect the roots from getting root rot, you should plant Anthurium Arisaemoides in well-draining soil. Well-draining soil allows excess water to drip down from the drainage hole. To increase drainage, add a little peat moss to the soil. Peat moss also increases airflow into the soil. With peat moss in the soil, more oxygen will reach the roots and keep them healthy.
As for the soil pH, this plant prefers to be grown in neutral soil with a pH range of 6.6 – 7.3. If the available soil is acidic, add limestone into it to increase its pH. And if the soil is alkaline, add compost to lower its pH.
Sunlight
Anthurium Arisaemoides is a close relative of Anthurium Clarinervium, and both plants need the same amount of light exposure. This plant needs medium sunlight or partial shade to grow. It can also grow in low light, but its growth rate will slow down due to slower photosynthesis. Due to its adaptable nature, you can place this plant almost anywhere in your home. If you grow it near an east or west-facing window, it will be well and good. You should also rotate the plant daily in its spot so that all the parts receive equal light exposure. Otherwise, one side will be droopy, and the other will be perfectly fine.
Temperature Tolerance
Warmth temperature tends to increase the growth rate of this Anthurium species. You should grow it in a place where the temperature stays between 15°C and 25°C. If the temperature fluctuates too much, your plant will start to drop its leaves. In warmer months, move your plant to a colder spot with good air circulation. In extreme winters, do not leave its pot outside, or it will get chilly injuries. Placing the plant in a greenhouse in winters is the best way to keep it warm.
Humidity
Every Anthurium species, whether it’s Anthurium Magnificum, Anthurium Regale, or Anthurium Arisaemoides, thrives in high humidity. The vibrant leaves of these plants need high moisture levels to stay fresh and green because high humidity is needed in photosynthesis. Low humidity levels lead to discoloration or wilting of leaves. Try to regulate the humidity around 80% for the lush growth of this plant. You should implant a humidifier indoors or place the plant on a pebble water tray to increase the surrounding humidity. Also, mist the plant regularly.
Fertilizer
As this plant is not a heavy feeder, you do not have to fertilize it every week. You can use a liquid fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer to feed this plant. Liquid fertilizer should be added every month, but a slow-release fertilizer must be added every 3 to 4 months in the growing season. You should dilute both fertilizers first to 1/4th of their strengths. After diluting the fertilizer, water your plant, and then add the fertilizer.
This regular feeding should be stopped in winter because the plant is not actively growing during those days. Overfertilization will lead to excessive salt build-up in the soil and kill the plant instantly.
Grooming and Pruning
Yearly pruning in spring is necessary to encourage new growth and remove old leaves. Removing old and yellowed leaves will prevent the plant from wasting nutrients on the already dead leaves. You should always prune the bottom leaves first. The gardening shears also need to be disinfected before you use them on your plant.
How to Propagate Anthurium Arisaemoides?
Propagation through stem cuttings is the easiest method to propagate this plant. Seed propagation takes time, so it is not for the impatient ones. Follow the following steps to increase the collection of your Anthurium Arisaemoides.
- Take pruning shears and sterilize them using rubbing alcohol or 70% isopropyl alcohol.
- Using the shears, cut a healthy stem from the plant.
- The stem should be several inches long and must have one leaf on it.
- Make a cut directly under two nodes of the stem.
- Dip this stem in the rooting hormone. Rooting hormone will increase its growth rate.
- Plant this stem cutting in potting soil or perlite.
- Water the stem cutting and place the container in a brightly lit spot.
Anthurium Arisaemoides Basic Features
Growth Rate
This pretty plant is a slow-grower; it takes months to grow new leaves. Its growth rate slows down even more when placed in low light. It is why you should always be careful with its light exposure.
The recommended USDA plant hardiness growth zones for this plant are 10b.
Air Purification
Indoor gardeners also love this plant because its beautiful foliage is also a natural air purifier. The large leaves filter the air and remove all the pollutants. With this beautiful plant in your home, you can breathe fresher and cleaner air.
Anthurium Arisaemoides Toxicity
The leaves of this plant contain calcium oxalate crystals. These crystals are harmful to animals and pests. Consuming the leaves of this plant in large quantities will cause severe health problems. It is why you should keep an eye on your pets or toddlers when they are around this plant. If they consume any fallen leaves, take them to a doctor or vet immediately.
Drought Tolerance
It is a drought-tolerant plant that retains water for droughts and other harsh conditions. If you do not water this plant for an extended period, it will consume this water and go dormant to save itself from dying.
Maintenance
This plant requires moderate maintenance and care. If you are a beginner in indoor gardening, you will need to understand its care routine first. But do not worry; with our detailed care guide, you can easily maintain and care for this plant.
Dormancy
Just like other Anthuriums, this plant goes dormant in winters. It stops growing and starts to save nutrients and water. During these resting days, do not overwater or over-fertilize this plant.
Common Problems and Their Solutions
Diseases
Bacterial blight caused by bacteria and root rot caused by fungal growth is two main problems of Anthurium Arisaemoides. Both these diseases show visible symptoms, so they are easy to detect. If your plant has mushy or brown roots, it means your plant has caught fungal growth. This increased fungal growth is due to moist soil. So allow its soil to get completely dry to treat root rot.
If your plant’s leaves have watery blisters, it means a particular bacterial population has attacked its foliage. For treating bacterial blight, increase air circulation around this plant and spray bactericide on the foliage.
Pests
Some common pests of this Anthurium species are thrips, mealybugs, aphids, spider mites, and scales. You should check the plant’s foliage every week for the presence of any pests. If you notice any pests, immediately spray the foliage with an insecticidal spray or rub the foliage with neem oil.
Frequently Asked Questions about Anthurium Arisaemoides
Can I Grow My Anthurium Arisaemoides Outdoors?
If the growing conditions are optimal outdoors and the temperature does not fall below 16°C, you can grow this plant outdoors. Although, you should keep checking on your plant for any unusual signs and symptoms from time to time.
How Many Varieties of Anthurium Are There?
There are almost 1000 exquisite varieties of Anthurium. All these varieties are grown indoors for their beautiful foliage, with Anthurium Arisaemoides being one of them.
Does My Plant Need to Be Repotted?
Yes, once this plant overgrows its pot, it needs to be repotted to a new pot. This has to be done every 2-3 years. You should move your Anthurium to a new pot that is 2 inches bigger than the previous one.
Conclusion
Anthurium plants have been grown as houseplants for centuries. It is because they are pleasing to look at and extremely easy to care for. Anthurium Arisaemoides is also a beautiful Anthurium species that gardeners and indoor plant keepers love. This plant is also grown indoors by so many due to its air purification ability. Along with keeping you happy with its adorable appearance, it also keeps you healthy by keeping your surrounding air fresh and clean.
