Laceleaf Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) Care Indoors, Propagation and Common Problems

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Laceleaf Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) grows best in bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Anthurium andraeanum also called Laceleaf Plant, Oilcloth Flower, Painter's Palette or Tailflower is one of the popular Anthurium varieties on account of its spectacular blooms and glossy dark-green leaves.

Painter's Palette bears long, glossy blooms with a straight or arched yellow or white tail. With proper care it can last for many years.

Tailflower is among the popular flowering plants and has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. The leaves and flowers are often used in flower arrangements.

Laceleaf Plant is often mistaken for Anthurium scherzerianum (Flamingo Flower) the difference between them is in the spadix where Anthurium andraeanum has a straight spadix while Anthurium scherzerianum has a curly one.

Laceleaf Anthurium, Anthurium andraeanum

Botanical name: Anthurium andraeanum
Family: Araceae
Common names: Laceleaf Anthurium, Laceleaf Plant, Oilcloth Flower, Painter's Palette, Tailflower

Origin

Anthurium andraeanum is native to the tropical regions of Columbia and Ecuador where it grows as an epiphyte on trees but it has been naturalized in other parts of the world.

Size

Laceleaf Anthurium grows to a height of 2-3 feet and bears 4 inches long glossy blooms. The leaves are glossy, dark-green, heart-shaped and are about 9 inches long.

Flower

Painter's Palette flowers are not true flowers but are spathes, each with a yellow or white spadix covered densely with tiny true flowers.

Varieties

Laceleaf Anthurium has many varieties and hybrids and are available in white, pink, orange and red flowers.

Air Purification

According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Anthurium andreanum was found to be among the best air-cleaning plants and gets rid of formaldehyde, toulene, xylene and ammonia from indoor air.

Toxicity

Anthurium andraeanum like other Anthuriums is considered toxic to both humans and pets. They contain oxalate crystals which can cause digestive distress, breathing problems and skin irritation. Always wear gloves when handling the plant and wash your hands thereafter.

Where to Buy

Would you like to add Laceleaf Anthuriums to your collection? You may obtain beautiful and vibrant plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

Laceleaf Anthurium Care Indoors

Laceleaf Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) flourishes in bright, indirect light (dappled light), average warmth of 18-27⁰C, moderate humidity of 50-60% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, aroids potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.

Anthurium andraeanum care requires pruning to keep it neat and tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestations. Repotting is only ncessary when the plant becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for a detail account on the best growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Water your Laceleaf Anthurium thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings and keep soil moist at all times.

Reduce watering in the cold season as growth is reduce to maintain the soil slightly moist but do not let the soil dry out completely.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it may lead to the root-rot and eventual death of the Tailflower.

Use tepid, chlorine-free water as the plant is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water. Avoid wetting the foliage as it can lead to fungal diseases.

Light Requirements

Laceleaf Anthurium grows best under bright indirect light. A curtain-filtered sunny window is perfect for this plant. Keep it away direct sunlight to avoid scorching of the leaves.

If the lighting is not adequate, Painter's Palette may not flower. Therefore, consider investing in a grow light to promote blooming and a lush growth. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth to prevent lopsided growth.

Temperature and Humidity

Laceleaf Anthurium requires an average warmth within the range of 18-27⁰C to thrive. Keep it away from cold drafts to prevent sudden drops in temperature which can cause reduced growth.

Anthurium andraeanum requires an moderate humidity of about 50-60% to thrive. If the humidity is too low it may lead to brown leaf tips and edges and the plant may not bloom. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other moist areas in the home.

Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust as well as discourage pests and diseases infestation. Do not leave water drops on the leaves as they may cause fungal infestations.

Fertilizer

Feed your Laceleaf Plant every 2-3 weeks during the growing period with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer inorder to promote flowering. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn and death of the plant.

Flush out accumulated salts in the soil regularly by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow it to run for a few minutes and repeat the process several times.

Potting Medium

Laceleaf Anthurium soil should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most potting mixes designed for aroids are ideal for this plant.

Photo: Amazon

Gardenera Aroid Potting Mix

Soil Sunrise Aroid Plant Potting Soil Mix

Photo: Amazon

Soil Sunrise Aroid Plant Potting Mix

Photo: Etsy

Molly's Aroid Potting Soil Mix

Repotting

Repot Anthurium andraeanum every 1-2 years at the beginning of the growing season when it becomes pot-bound. Use a pot one-size larger than the current one.

Confirm that the pot has drainage holes to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Take a look at these self watering planters with drainage hole on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Tailflower is easy. Remove yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Cut the leaves at the base of the stem with a sharp sterilized knife or with a sharp, clean pair of pruning scissors to avoid unnecessary injury which can result in disease infestation. Remove any wayward leaves to maintain the shape of the plant.

Laceleaf Anthurium Propagation

Anthurium andraeanum propagation can be done during the growing season from splits by plant divison.

Laceleaf Anthurium propagation by plant division

Thoroughly water the Laceleaf Anthurium at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.

Take the plant out of its pot and carefully divide it into sections by pulling apart the roots. Ensure each section has adequate roots to hasten establishment.

Select a 6 or 8 in. pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.

Fill the pot with loose, free-draining potting mix and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.

Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.

Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place until the new Anthurium andraeanum is well established after which you can begin routine care.

How to force Laceleaf Anthurium to bloom

After blooming, give the Laceleaf Anthurium a 6 weeks rest period in a cool, dimly-lit room at 15⁰C. Give it very little water during this period.

Bring out the plant after the rest period and continue with normal care. This will break the dormancy cycle and signal the Laceleaf Anthurium to start blooming.

Laceleaf Anthurium Plant Problems

Anthurium andraeanum problems are brown leaves, brown leaf tips, yellow leaves, brown leaf spots, pests, drooping leaves, lack of blooms among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Brown leaves

Anthurium andraeanum brown leaves may be due to incorrect watering, too little light, improper feeding, poor quality soil, being root-bound, pests, diseases, hot temperatures, age among others.

Check out these 10 Causes of Anthurium Brown Leaves and their Remedies.

Pests

The common pests in Laceleaf Anthurium are spider mites, aphids and fungus gnats. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it for the pests. Learn how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.

Diseases

Anthurium andraeanum is prone to root-rot which is more prevalent in soggy soil. To prevent root-rot, maintain the soil moist but not soggy by ensuring that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains easily.

Drooping leaves and stems

Drooping leaves and stems in Anthurium andraeanum are due to several causes. The first possible cause of drooping leaves is low humidity. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity or place it in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen and other moist areas in the home.

The second possible cause of drooping leaves and stems in Laceleaf Anthurium is incorrect watering; either underwatering or overwatering. Maintain the soil moist at all times during the growing season and reduce watering in the cold season but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely. Read more on how to water houseplants the correct way.

The third possible cause of drooping leaves and stems in Laceleaf Plant is too high temperature due to exposure to direct sunlight. Protect the plant from direct sunlight by filtering the light with a sheer curtain to avoid sunscorching.

The fourth possible cause of drooping leaves and stems in Tailflower is pests and diseases infestation. Regularly inspect the plant and take timely control measures for these pests.

Lack of blooms

A Anthurium andraeanum that is not getting enough light will not bloom (flower). Light is very important for flowering. Light provides the energy necessary for the plant to make food that is needed for growth and flower production.

Ensure that the Laceleaf Plant is receiving bright indirect light but keep it away direct sunlight. You may instal grow lights if the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.

Underfeeding is another reason why Laceleaf Anthurium will not bloom (flower). The plant requires adequate nutrients to make food that is needed for growth and flower production.

Feed the plant every 2 weeks with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season to promote flowering. However, withhold feeding in the cold season to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time. Learn more on how to feed houseplants.

Brown leaf tips

Brown leaf tips in Anthurium andraeanum are due to two possible reasons. One possible reason is too dry air especially if the room temperatures are too high. To up humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen or laundry area. Use of a cool mist humidifier is also an ideal option. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

The second possible reason for brown leaf tips in Laceleaf Anthurium is soggy soil. Soggy soil holds too much water which reduces the amount of oxygen in the soil. Since the roots require oxygen to grow, the lack of adeqaute oxygen causes them to begin dying.

When the roots die, they cannot take up water and other nutrients necessary to the upper parts of the plant. As such, the plant begins to die and death begins in the furthest parts of the plant which are the leaf tips, hence the brown tips.

To prevent brown leaf tips in Laceleaf Plant, maintain the soil moist but not soggy by ensuring that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining (drains easily).

Yellow leaves

There are two possible causes of yellow leaves in Anthurium andraeanum. One possible cause is soggy soil. Maintain the soil moist but not soggy by ensuring that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining.

The second possible cause of yellow leaves in Laceleaf Anthurium is cold drafts (cold air). Protect the plant from cold drafts or place it away from windy doors and windows. Maintain an average warmth of 18-27⁰C. Take a look at this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.

Flowers turning green

If Laceleaf Anthurium was in bloom when you bought it, the reason could be it was forced to bloom before it was ready to bloom so it loses color as it ages.

Improper watering, excess nitrogen fertilizer and wrong temperatures can also cause greening of the flowers. Lastly, the blooms last for about 4 weeks and as they age, they begin to lose color by becoming green and paler as aging continues. Some species of Anthuriums produce blooms that turn brilliant green in color; check the species you are growing.

Brown leaf spots

The brown leaf spots are sunburn marks caused by exposure of Laceleaf Anthurium to direct sunlight. Move the plant to a shaded place or use a curtain to filter the light.