How to Grow and Care for Anthurium metallicum Indoors

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Botanical name: Anthurium metallicum
Family: Araceae

Description

Anthurium metallicum is a unique foliage Anthurium which is popular on account of its large, velvety, dark-green leaves with distinct veining and a beautiful sheen.

Anthurium metallicum prefers temperatures on the warmer side for best growth with slight nighttime temperature drops and constant humidity.

Size

Anthurium metallicum grows to a height of 2 M with a spread of 1.0 -1.5 M. The leaves can be over 4 feet long and they have a beautiful velvety sheen.

Flower

The inflorescence is dark-pink to red and is about 15-20 cm long.

Origin

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

Toxicity

Anthurium metallicum like other Anthuriums is toxic to both humans and pets.

It contains oxalate crystals which can cause digestive distress, breathing problems and skin irritation. Always wear gloves when handling Anthurium metallicum and wash your hands thereafter.

Where to Buy

Anthurium metallicum is an excellent plant for any houseplants collection. Buy Anthurium Plants online from Etsy.

Anthurium metallicum Care Indoors

Anthurium metallicum blossoms in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with regular 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 in. 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 eventual 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.

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

Anthurium metallicum can also grow under a grow light where the natural lighting is not adequate.

Temperature and Humidity

Anthurium metallicum requires an average room warmth with a minimum of 16⁰C to thrive. Keep it away from cold draughts to avoid sudden changes in temperature.

Anthurium metallicum requires high humidity inorder to thrive. 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. Buy Aroids Potting Mix from Etsy.

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 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.

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 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 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 metallicum is well established after which you can begin routine care.

Anthurium metallicum Problems

Anthurium metallicum problems include brown leaf tips, yellow leaves, leaf spots, drooping leaves, pests and diseases among others. Read on 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.

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 is free-draining (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 houseplants and treat it with Neem oil or Insecticidal soap to get rid of the pests.

Diseases

Anthurium metallicum is prone to root-rot disease which is more 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.

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 draughts (cold air). Protect the plant from cold draughts 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.

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.

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 control measures for these pests (see below).