How to Grow and Care for Anthurium metallicum Indoors

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Anthurium metallicum prefers bright indirect light, moderate warmth, highly humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, chunky aroids soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Anthurium metallicum is one of the popular Anthurium varieties on account of its large, velvety, dark-green almost black leaves with distinct veining and a beautiful metallic appearance in bright light.

The inflorescence is dark-pink to red and is about 15-20 cm long. Due to these characteristics, Anthurium metallicum is an outstanding addition to any plant collection and is sought-after by many plant enthusiasts.

Botanical name: Anthurium metallicum
Family: Araceae

Origin

Anthurium metallicum is native to Columbia where it is found growing erect or semi-erect in ravines or along the border of trails.

Size

Anthurium metallicum grows to a height of 6 feet with a spread of 3-5 feet. The leaves can be over 4 feet long with a beautiful velvety sheen making it one of the best large low-light plants for the living room where it will provide a magnificent sight.

Toxicity

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

Where to Buy

Anthurium metallicum is an excellent plant for any houseplants collection. Check them on Etsy Link to Etsy).

Anthurium metallicum Care Indoors

Anthurium metallicum blossoms in bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 16-28⁰C, humidity of 60-80% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, aroids potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Anthurium metallicum requires pruning to keep it neat and also minimize pest and disease infestations. Repotting is only needed when it outgrows its current pot. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Water Anthurium metallicum thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to keep soil consistently moist.

Cut down on watering in the cold season as growth is reduce to maintain the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and plant death.

Light Requirements

Anthurium metallicum grows best in bright indirect light away from direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves. A curtain-filtered sunny window is perfect for this plant.

Anthurium metallicum may be grown under grow lights where the natural lighting is not adequate. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights available on Amazon.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.

Temperature and Humidity

Anthurium metallicum requires an average warmth of 16-28⁰C to thrive. Keep it away from cold drafts to avoid sudden changes in temperature.

Anthurium metallicum flourishes in high humidity of 60-80%. To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

Clean the leaves occasionally 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.

Potting Soil

The best potting soil for Anthurium metallicum 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

Fertilizer

Feed Anthurium metallicum every 4 weeks during the growing period with a balanced, liquid fertilizer. Stop feeding in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.

Flush out accumulated salts from 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.

Repotting

Repot Anthurium metallicum every 1-2 years at the beginning of the growing season. Use a pot one-size larger and free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Check out these ceramic planters with drainage hole on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Anthurium metallicum is easy. Remove yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat and also reduce pest and disease infestations.

Cut the leaves at the base of the stem with a sharp sterlized knife or a clean pair scissors to avoid unnecessary injuries which can lead to disease infestations.

Propagation

Anthurium metallicum can be propagated during the growing season from from splits by plant division.

How to propagate Anthurium metallicum by plant divion

Water the Anthurium metallicum thoroughly 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 inches 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 metallicum is well established after which you can begin routine care.

Anthurium metallicum Problems

Anthurium metallicum problems include brown leaf tips, pests, diseases, yellow leaves, leaf spots, drooping leaves among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Brown leaf tips

Two reasons are responsible for brown leaf tips in Anthurium metallicum. One reason for brown leaf tips is that the air is too dry. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity or grow the plant in the humid areas in the home.

The second reason for brown leaf tips in Anthurium metallicum is soggy soil. Maintain the soil moist but not soggy by ensuring that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil drains easily.

Pests

The common pests in Anthurium metallicum are spider mites, aphids and fungus gnats. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap to get rid of the pests as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

Diseases

Anthurium metallicum is prone to root-rot disease which is prevalent in soggy soil. Keep the soil moist but not soggy by ensuring that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is free-draining.

Drooping leaves and stems

There are four causes of drooping leaves and stems in Anthurium metallicum. The first cause of drooping leaves is low humidity. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or grow the plant in the bathroom and other moist areas in the home.

The second cause of drooping leaves and stems in Anthurium metallicum is incorrect watering; either underwatering or overwatering. Maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season and never allow the soil ball to dry out completely. Read more on how to water indoor plants the right way.

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

The fourth cause of drooping leaves and stems in Anthurium metallicum is pests and diseases infestation. Inspect the plant and take timely control measures to get rid of these pests.

Yellow leaves

There are two causes of yellow leaves in Anthurium metallicum. One cause of yellow leaves is soggy soil. Keep 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 Anthurium metallicum is cold drafts (cold air). Protect it from cold drafts or place it away from windy doors and windows.

Brown leaf spots

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