Botanical name: Anthurium forgetii
Family: Araceae
Anthurium forgetii is a popular houseplant on account of its spectacular round leaves that lack a sinus (upper lobes) and therefore, they can flexibly hang on their stems like teardrops.
The large dark-green leaves in Anthurium forgetii also have silver veining which makes the plant a beautiful sight to behold.
Anthurium forgetii may no be easy to grow under room conditions but when provided with the right growing conditions, it can last for many years.
Anthurium forgetii is a small-sized, moderate grower which grows to a height of 4-5 ft and about 2 feet wide.
Anthurium forgetii is native to Colombia and Ecuador. Anthurium forgetii is more of a terrestrial plant than an epiphyte.
Anthurium forgetii prefers bright, indirect light. A curtain-filtered sunny window is perfect. Protect your Anthurium forgetii from direct sunlight to avoid scorching of the leaves. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
Keep the soil moist at all times for your Anthurium forgetii during the growing season but reduce watering in the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist.
Avoid keeping the soil soggy as it may lead to the root-rot and eventual death of your Anthurium forgetii. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Average warmth with a minimum of 160C is ideal for your Anthurium forgetii. Protect it from cold draughts to avoid sudden changes in temperature. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Anthurium forgetii requires high humidity. Raise humidity for your Anthurium forgetii by setting the pot on a wet pebble tray. Check out this techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Clean the leaves of your Anthurium forgetii by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust. Do not leave water drops on the leaves as it may cause fungal infestations. Read more on how to clean houseplants.
Feed your Anthurium forgetii every 4 weeks during the growing period with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer. Withhold feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Regularly flush out accumulated salts in the soil for your Anthurium forgetii 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 several times. Read more on how to feed houseplants.
Repot your Anthurium forgetii every 2 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 getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot.
Pruning your Anthurium forgetii is easy. Remove yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat and tidy. Cut the leaves at the base of the stem with a sharp sterlized knife or scissors.
Cut away any dead and wayward leaves in your Anthurium forgetii to maintain the shape of your plant. Read more on how to prune houseplants.
Anthurium forgetii can be propagated during the growing season from from splits.
Divide the mother Anthurium forgetii plant into several sections while ensuring each divison has some roots.
Pot the Anthurium forgetii splits in moist soil in individual pots. Place the set up in a cool place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.
Ensure the crown of the plant is above the soil level to avoid rotting. Allow the new Anthurium forgetii plants to be well established before transplanting.
Two reasons are responsible for brown leaf tips in your Anthurium forgetii.
One reason for brown leaf tips in your Anthurium forgetii is that the air is too dry. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity for your Anthurium forgetii. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
The second reason for brown leaf tips in your Anthurium forgetii is soggy soil. Maintain the soil moist but not soggy by ensuring that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is free-draining (drains easily).
There are two causes of yellow leaves in your Anthurium forgetii.
One cause of yellow leaves in your Anthurium forgetii is soggy soil. Maintain the soil moist but not soggy by ensuring that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is free-draining.
The second cause of yellow leaves in your Anthurium forgetii is cold draughts (cold air). Protect your Anthurium forgetii from cold draughts or place it away from windy doors and windows.
The brown leaf spots are sunburn marks caused by exposure of your Anthurium forgetii to direct sunlight. Move your Anthurium forgetii to a shaded place or use a curtain to filter the light.
There are four causes of drooping leaves and stems in your Anthurium forgetii.
The first cause of drooping leaves in your Anthurium forgetii is low humidity. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity for your Anthurium forgetii. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
The second cause of drooping leaves and stems in your Anthurium forgetii is incorrect watering; either underwatering or overwatering. Maintain the soil moist at all times during the growing season and never allow the soil ball to dry out completely. Read more on how to water houseplants.
The third cause of drooping leaves and stems in your Anthurium forgetii is too high temperature due to exposure to direct sunlight. Protect your plant from direct sunlight by filtering the light with a sheer curtain.
The fourth cause of drooping leaves and stems in your Anthurium forgetii is pests and diseases infestation. Inspect your plant and take control measures for these pests (see below).
The common pests in Anthurium forgetii are Spider Mites, Aphids and Fungus Gnats.
Anthurium forgetii is prone to Root-rot Disease which is more prevalent in soggy soil.
Anthurium forgetii (Anthurium forgetii) is toxic to both humans and pets.
Anthurium forgetii contains oxalate crystals which can cause digestive distress, breathing problems and skin irritation.
Always wear gloves when handling your Anthurium forgetii and wash your hands thereafter.
