How to Grow and Care for Anthurium brownii Indoors
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Anthurium brownii thrives in bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Anthurium brownii is one of the popular Anthurium varieties and features large, curly, ribbed, yellow-veined, heart-shaped leaves which stand out and feel like a fiddle leaf fig in texture.
Anthurium brownii blooms and fruits year round, the blooms comprise of a long protruding spadix covered in spirals of tiny flowers, and the spathe hangs down below the spadix.
Anthurium brownii was collected by Gustav Wallis in 1876 and named for Nicholas Edward Brown (1849-1934) an English plant taxonomist and authority on succulents.
Anthurium brownii has a variegated variety whose leaves come with beautiful cream-yellow variegations which makes this plant an eye-catching centerpiece.
Botanical name: Anthurium brownii
Family: Araceae
Origin
Anthurium brownii is native to the tropical regions from Costa Rica through Panamá, and south to Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
Size
Anthurium brownii grows to a height of about 2-3 feet and the leaves can grow upto 2 feet long. It is among the large-leafed, bold statement plants for large spaces.
Air Cleaning
The Anthurium brownii is reknowned for its indoor air cleaning properties. The large leaf surface area is perfect for absorption of VOCs from the air.
Is Anthurium brownii poisonous?
Yes. Anthurium brownii like other Anthuriums is 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
If you would like to add Anthurium brownii to your collection, you may aquire them from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
How to Care for Anthurium brownii Indoors
To care for Anthurium brownii indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 16-270C, humidity of 60-80% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Anthurium brownii 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 more on the best growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
Water Anthurium brownii liberally in spring and summer until water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to avoid rotting, yellowing and browning leaves.
Decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely for a long period as underwatering will result in wilting, drooping, yellowing and browning leaves.
Use tepid (room temperature) water as consistently watering with cold water will lead to cold shock which can cause reduced growth and plant death. In addition, only use chlorine-free water to prevent staining and browning of leaf edges.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant. Avoid wetting the foliage to discourage fungal diseases.
Light Requirements
Anthurium brownii grows best in bright indirect light; a curtain-filtered, sunny window is perfect for this plant. Keep it away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching of the leaves.
Where the natural lighting is not adequate, consider investing in a grow light to supplement it to promote a lush growth
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and prevent leggy growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Anthurium brownii prospers in a warmth of 16-270C. Keep it away from sources of drafts like AC units, ope doors, drafty windows, hot air vents, radiators and others to avoid sudden temperature changes which can lead to stunted growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and browning.
Anthurium brownii prefers a humidity of 60-80%. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a closed terrarium. Maintain proper air flow to minimize fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Anthurium browniiwith a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period . Withhold feeding in the cold season to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time.
Regularly, leach out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage hole. Repeat the process several times to clear as much salt as possible.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Anthurium brownii should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. An Aroids potting mix is good for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Anthurium brownii every 2-3 years at the beginning of the growing season. Use a pot one-size larger and free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
Ensure the pot has a drainage hole to avoid waterlogging as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Check out these self watering planters with drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning & Maintenance
Pruning Anthurium brownii is easy. Remove yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestations. Remove any dead and wayward leaves to maintain the shape of the plant.
Cut the leaves at the base of the stem with a sharp sterlized knife or scissors to avoid unnecessary injuries which can lead to disease infestations.
Clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and reduce pest infestations. Avoid leaving water drops on the leaves to prevent fungal infestations.
Anthurium brownii Propagation
Anthurium brownii is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season from from splits by plant division.
Propagating Anthurium brownii by plant division
- Water the plant thoroughly at least one 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.
- Slip 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 inches pot that 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. Take care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.
- Wet the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place, until the new plant is well established, after which you can begin routine care.
Related Content: How to Propagate Anthurium Plants by 5 Easy Methods
Anthurium brownii Problems & Remedies
Anthurium brownii problems are brown leaves, yellow leaves, drooping leaves and stems, brown leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their solutions.
Brown leaves
Some of the causes of brown leaves on Anthurium brownii are inconsistent watering, too little light, dry air, temperature stress, aging among others.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 1-2 inches feel dry and do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Too little light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a closed terrarium.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, heat sources, windy doors, drafty windows and others.
Salts buildup: Occasionally, flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until the water drains through the drainage hole.
Yellow leaves
The main causes of yellow leaves on Anthurium brownii are too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, drafts among others.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot with bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural light is not enough.
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry. Do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and soil that is well-draining.
Drafts: Protect or keep the plant away from drafts coming from AC units, stoves, hot air vents, windy doors and windows among other.
Drooping leaves and stems
Drooping leaves and stems on Anthurium brownii are caused by low humidity, inconsistent watering, direct sunlight, temperature stress or pests and diseases infestations.
How to fix it
Low humidity: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together or place the plant in a well-lit bathroom and other moist areas in the home.
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out and never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
Direct sunlight: Protect the plant from direct sunlight by diffusing the sunrays with a sheer curtain.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like windy doors, drafty windows AC units, heat sources and others.
Pests and diseases infestation: Regularly inspect the plant and take timely control measures.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Anthurium brownii are caused by dry air, soggy soil, underwatering or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Dry air: To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom and other moist areas in the home.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and free-draining soil.
Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Salts buildup: Regularly, flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until the water drains through the drainage hole.
Pests
Common pests on Anthurium brownii are aphids, spider mites and fungus gnats.
How to fix it
- Check underneath the leaves regularly for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.
- Treat the affected plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as directed by the manufacturer.
- Regularly, damp-wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to discourage the pests.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to minimize the hiding and breeding places for these pests.
Diseases
Anthurium brownii is prone to root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil. The disease is characterized by yellowing and wilting of the leaves which is rapidly followed by browning and plant collapse.
How to fix it
- Carefully slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots.
- Trim brown-black, mushy roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as indicated by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil.
- Do not water the plant immediately; keep it dry for 5-7 days before you can resume watering.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and free-draining soil to prevent sogginess.
- Lessen watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time.
Related Content: 8 Common Anthurium Problems and How to Fix Them.
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