True to its name, Anthurium Regale is a beautiful, giant plant with broad, elegant leaves. Not only is it well known for its beauty, but it is also a preferred indoor plant by people who like to add easily-maintained, tropical plants to their settings. Though it’s not the easiest plant to find and can cost you a little more than most indoor plants, Anthurium Regale is still high in demand.
Contents
Classification
- Family: Araceae
- Subfamily: Pothoideae
- Genus: Anthurium
About the genus Anthurium
Anthurium translated into “Tail flower”, is so-called because of its leaves and flower shape. Over 1000 species are included under this category, and all of them are beautiful, flowering plants that look stunning during the blooming season. Other names for Anthurium include Flamingo Flower and Laceleaf. All of these plants are herbal epiphytic or terrestrial plants, and they differ in terms of individual characteristics such as shapes, colors, and sizes. These plants grow beautiful flowers, and they even bear fruit in the form of berries. Some of the popular plants of this genus are Anthurium Magnificum, Anthurium Superbum, and Anthurium Hookeri.
Anthurium Vs Philodendron
While many people find these plants similar, the difference lies in their flowers. The Anthurium flowers contain both male and female parts, while the flowers of a Philodendron plant are unisexual.
Origin and Distribution
The plants of Anthurium genus originally come from the North of Mexico and Argentina, and specific regions of the Caribbean. The Anthurium Regale species was first identified in 1888. These are rare plants that can be difficult to grow if the environment is not favorable. Even if you do find these plants on sale somewhere, they can cost you quite a lot.
Even though many people believe that Regal comes from Ecuador and Columbia, it is evident that this might not be entirely true. The plant is more related to Peru than any of these locations.
Anthurium Regale Features
Foliage and Stem
The leaves of an Anthurium Regale can reach up to the size of 4 feet. They are veined heavily and depict the shape of a heart. They are pale as they start growing but become broad, green, and velvety as they mature. The leaf grows on a single stem that has an extensive, well-developed root system. Because the plant can grow huge leaves as opposed to the stem that holds it, sturdy support to keep it upright will be highly appreciated.
Evergreen
Anthurium Regale is an evergreen plant, which adds to the reasons why houseplant enthusiasts love this species for ornamental purposes. Its leaves remain lush and big regardless of the seasons passing by.
Height
If you give it the right care and conditions, a Regale can grow up to 5 to 8 feet tall. The leaves alone can grow up to 4 feet in size under proper sunlight and humidity.
Temperature Tolerance
In terms of cold, Anthurium Regale is not very lenient. It repels frosty temperatures and becomes ill under consistent cold environments. Thus, you might want to keep the species inside during winter, and if it’s already growing indoors, shift it to a more well-suited place.
Humidity Tolerance
In aspects of moisture, the more, the better for these plants. They love water in general, whether it’s on their surface, in their soil, or the air. Hence, they love humidity and are very tolerant of it. Still, you must remember that an excess of everything is terrible and that large amounts of moisture on the plant’s surface for an extended period might invite unwanted visitors like pests, bugs, and infections.
Zone
The best growing zone for these plants is 10-11 if outdoors and 4b-11 if on the patio.
Flowers
During bloom-time, these plants grow tiny flowers that give off various types of fragrances. This fragrance attracts the pollinators and helps the plant reproduce naturally. The small flowers of an Anthurium resemble a flamingo, a common feature among these plants giving it its popular name of Flamingo Flower.
Drought-resistance
Since these plants love moisture around them and inside their soil, they won’t do well under dry, rough, drought-like conditions. Hence, it is better if you keep them away from such harsh environments.
Pressure Tolerance
Since they have large velvety leaves, Regale plants might not instantly collapse under pressure. However, consistent force might affect the plant’s growth in the long term. Thus, make sure the plant is placed in an open area or corner with lots of space so that it can grow to its full potential.
Disease Resistance
Unfortunately, these plants are not resistant to disease. They are prone to fungal as well as bacterial infections. Some of the common problems among these plants include:
Bacterial Blight by
Xanthomonas
Fungal root rot by
Pythium or Rhizoctonia
Black nose disease by
Colletotrichum.
If your plant catches one of these diseases, it may start looking pale with holes and lesions on its leaves. The quickest way to manage the situation is to isolate the plant immediately. This is important so that the culprit microbe does not infect the other plants. Then, treat it with fungicides and proper care until the issue has entirely resolved.
Pest Resistance
These plants are resistant to rabbit and deer attacks. Nonetheless, occasional visits by insects and bugs such as mites and aphids can be expected. These visits are especially frequent if a plant is living under inadequate or unsuitable conditions.
To prevent this from happening, properly inspect and examine your plant regularly when you clean it. Thoroughly check under and around the leaves to make sure everything is clear. In case the plant does get invaded by these parties, isolate the plant and go for natural remedies like neem oil or alcohol. If not, and the condition is worsening, you can even use commercial pesticides.
Growth
According to experts, this plant’s growth rate depends mainly on the care that it is given and the environment that it lives in. The soil texture and light exposure are especially important features that impact the plant’s speed of growth so take special care of these environmental characteristics.
Toxicity
Unfortunately, all Anthurium plants are toxic. Their leaves, flowers, as well as stem of the plant, are inedible and can be highly dangerous if ingested. Hence, keep these plants at a distance from your children and your pets.
Durability
Thanks to its perennial life-cycle, the plant can live for years on end without you having to worry about replacing it.
Maintenance
Since it does not require any extra investments in terms of money, time, and effort, the plant is relatively low maintenance. People who want to invest in statement plants that will not only look great in their homes but will also require minimum attention will love this particular species.
Dormancy
Anthurium plants generally go dormant during the winter season and stop growing for approximately 6 to 8 weeks. They reserve all the moisture and fertilizer that you give them, so make sure that you don’t overwater or overfeed the plant during this time. Growing and propagating the plant during this period is also frowned upon.
Anthurium Regale Care
In terms of care and requirements, all this plant needs is the right amount of nutrients and moisture in the soil, lots of diffused sunlight, and moderate indoor temperatures from 55 to 80 F. Make sure that you re-pot it as soon as it starts to outgrow its current container.
Water Requirements
To keep the plant well-hydrated and not waterlogged, remember to water it only when the soil starts to dry up on the top. You can use your finger to check the soil texture or use a moisture meter for more accuracy.
Soil Requirements
Richly organic and well-drained soil is ideal for these Anthurium Regale plants. Keeping the soil damp, and not wet, is an essential part of making sure the species grows to its full potential. Remember that the texture of the soil should not be sandy or clay-like.
Sunlight Requirements
Quantitatively, the plant requires 70 to 85 percent sunlight. If grown indoors, these requirements are a little less for Regal than most indoor plants in your collection. However, this light should rarely be direct. Filtered and diffused lights do best for Anthurium Regale plants. Direct exposure to natural sunlight should only be considered during the early morning or late afternoon, as the intensity of the light is comparatively low at these times of the day. If the plant must be put under direct exposure, use a 20 to 40% shade cloth to mellow the intensity of the light.
Temperature
A temperature limit starting from 55 degrees to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is best suitable for these plants. This is an especially ideal environment for plants growing indoors. During the winter, it is best if you bring the plant indoors or move it to a warmer spot in the house.
Humidity Requirements
As mentioned earlier, these plants love moisture. So, their average humidity needs range from 60 to 80 percent moisture in the air around them. To make this possible, especially if you live in the drier areas of the world, you can install an indoor humidifier or put the plant in a pebble tray filled with water. (Just make sure that the pot is not directly in contact with the water).
Fertilizer
These plants love being fed, but you need to be precise about the type of food you give them and how you give it to them. First, do not use low-quality fertilizer for your Anthurium. The cheap salts in these fertilizers can kill your plant faster than giving no fertilizer. Secondly, spread the fertilizer at a distance of about 6 inches from the plant’s base. You can feed the plant frequently depending on the type of fertilizer you are using (slow-release fertilizer can be fed thrice-a-year, and other fertilizers can be given accordingly), age of the plant (younger, juvenile plants need more food than mature ones). It’s individual growing needs and habits.
Re-potting Requirements
With these plants, the roots must remain loose and free. This ensures taller, stronger, and healthier growth of the plant. If your plant is root-bound inside the pot or container, it won’t grow properly and might even fall ill. So, when you start to see roots coming out of the drainage holes of the pot, re-pot the plant into a larger one as soon as you can.
Grooming and Mulching
When you want to store your plant, you can add some mulch to it. Mulching is a good way to not only keep the plant upright but also make sure that it gets its nutrients. This tip will allow you to take your time and decide where you want to plant the Regal.
Propagation and Anthurium Regale Seeding
To propagate Anthurium plants, all you have to do is cut off pieces from the stem, plant them in a well-prepared pot, and keep them under optimum conditions to grow in.
- First, clean and sterilize all of your tools and equipment. Wear protective clothing on your hands and face to ensure maximum self-safety.
- Select a mature plant and take some pieces off of its stem using a sharp, clean pair of scissors or a knife.
- These cuttings must be at least 6 to 8 inches long. It is preferable if some of these have leaves attached to their ends.
- If you want to prepare the plant via Anthurium Regale seeding, pick out some of the berries from the plant and remove their seeds. Wash, clean, and dry them properly.
- Prepare a pot for these seeds or cuttings by selecting the right size of the container and the ideal soil type. Make sure the pot has efficient drainage holes.
- In the center of the soil mix, create a tiny hole with the help of your finger. You can also use the back of one of your gardening tools.
- Place a cutting or seed inside this hole and make sure you plant the cutting upright. The leaves should stick out of the soil while the stem remains underneath.
- Place the pot in a warm, bright corner of the house.
- You can now water and feed your plant. Give it special care for the first few weeks for optimum growth.
Timeline
Week 1: Properly plant the cutting or seed in a pot and water it frequently.
Week 4-6: You can expect root-growth at this point.
Week 3-5: Your plant’s growth during this phase and afterward will depend on the conditions that it is being provided.
Displaying Anthurium Regale Plant
Since these are statement plants, Anthurium Regale species should be placed separately in an empty corner or space of the room. They add a quick freshness and tropical vibe to the room. Just make sure that they are away from the reach of your children and pets.
Anthurium Regale for Sale
Even though Anthurium Regale is a rare species and is not found very easily, it is best if you do a thorough investigation before buying one. Check the plant around and under its leaves to make sure there are no infections, bugs, and pest attacks.
Final Thoughts
While these may be hard to get your hands on, Anthurium Regale plants are undoubtedly high in demand. They are easily cared for and maintained throughout the year. You can propagate them indoors, and they look beautiful sitting alone in a room. However, they’re not edible so make sure no one accidentally ingests them.