Anthurium radicans Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Soil, Propagation, Problems & Solutions
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Anthurium radicans thrives in bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Anthurium radicans also called Anthurium Malyiis one of the well-liked Anthurium varieties on account of its lovely, glossy, blistered-looking, heart-shaped, dark-green leaves which are deeply veined and for its showy flowers with a maroon pinkish color.
Anthurium Malyi has been greatly used by gardeners to produce a lot of new hybrids with remarkable features, but these hybrids can only produce sterile flowers.
Botanical name: Anthurium radicans
Family: Araceae
Origin
Anthurium radicans is native to Southeastern Brazil and some parts of Ecuador where it can be found growing as a small creeping plant.
Size
Anthurium Malyi is a small herbaceous evergreen tropical perennial plant which grows to a height of about 1.8 feet. Its compact size places it among favored plants for an office desk.
Flower
Anthurium radicans produces beautiful flowers in maroon to purple shades all the year round. The beautiful flowers have both female and male organs but the female becomes more receptive before the male and therefore rely on insects for pollination.
Is Anthurium radicans toxic?
Yes. Anthurium radicans 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 the plant and wash your hands thereafter.
Where to Buy
Would you like to add Anthurium radicans to your collection? You may acquire them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Anthurium radicans Care Indoors
To care for Anthurium radicans indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 16-270C, humidity of 60-80% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Anthurium Malyi 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
How often should I water Anthurium radicans?
Water Anthurium radicans liberally in spring and summer until water drains 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 prevent rotting, drooping, yellowing and browning of leaves.
Cut down on watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period to prevent wilting, drooping, yellowing and brown leaf tips.
Use room temperature water to prevent cold shock which can result in stunted growth. Only use chlorine-free water like rainwater to prevent browning of leaf edges.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining. Always discard excess water from the saucer to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant. Take care not to wet the foliage to minimize fungal diseases.
Light Requirements
What kind of light do Anthurium radicans need?
Anthurium radicans grows best in bright indirect light; a curtain-filtered, sunny window is perfect. Keep it away from direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves
Too little light for Anthurium Malyi will result in yellowing and leggy growth. Therefore, where the natural lighting is not adequate, use full spectrum grow lights to increase it.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Anthurium radicans prefers a warmth of 16-270C. Keep it away from sources of drafts to avoid temperature flactuations which can cause slowed growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and browning.
Anthurium Malyi prospers in a humidity of 60-80%. Low humidity will result in brown leaf tips and edges. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together or use a cool mist humidifier. Maintain good air flow to discourage fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Anthurium radicans with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer for a lush growth. Do not feed it in fall and winter as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Regularly, flush out accumulated salts 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 to clear as much salt as possible.
Potting Soil
The best potting soil for Anthurium radicans is a rich, loose, free-draining which does not become soggy easily. An Aroids potting mix is ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Anthurium radicans every 2 years at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer). Use a pot one-size larger and free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease. Check out these ceramic planters on Amazon.
Pruning & Maintenance
Pruning Anthurium radicans is easy. Remove yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat and also discourage pest infestations.
Cut the leaves at the base of the stem with a sharp sterlized knife or pair of scissors to avoid unnecessary injuries which can lead to disease infestations. Cut away any dead and wayward leaves to maintain the shape of the plant.
Clean the leaves regularly 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.
Anthurium radicans Propagation
Anthurium radicans is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer) from from splits by plant division.
Propagating Anthurium radicans by plant division
- Water the plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment.
- Remove the plant from 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. 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 radicans Problems & Remedies
What are common Anthurium radicans problems?
Anthurium radicans problems are brown leaves, yellow leaves, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix it.
Brown leaves
Some of the causes of brown leaves on Anthurium radicans are dry air, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, direct sunlight or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Dry air: To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out; do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and soil that drains easily.
Direct sunlight: Move the plant to a more shaded place or use a light curtain to filter the sunshine.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from windy doors, AC units, heat vents, stoves, drafty windows and other drafty conditions.
Yellow leaves
The main causes of yellow leaves on Anthurium radicans are too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, nutrients deficiency or drafts.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will get bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural light is not enough.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry and do not allow the soilball to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from drafts coming from windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, heat sources, hot air vents among others.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves and stems on Anthurium radicans are caused by dry air, incorrect watering, temperature stress, direct sunlight or pests infestations.
How to fix it
Dry air: To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a humidifier or group the plants together.
Incorrect watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out. Never allow the soil ball to dry out completely or be soggy.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, hot air vents, heat sources, open doors, drafty windows among others.
Direct sunlight: Keep the plant away from direct sunlight or filter the light with a sheer curtain.
Pests infestations: Regularly inspect the plant and take timely control measures for these pests.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Anthurium radicans are caused by low humidity, underwatering, soggy soil or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Low humidity: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to elevate humidity.
Underwatering: Do not allow the soil to dry out completely; water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out.
Soggy soil: Use well-draining soil and a pot that has a drainage hole.
Salts buildup: Regularly, leach out accumulated salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drains through the drainage hole.
Pests
Common pests of Anthurium radicans are spider mites, aphids and fungus gnats.
How to fix it
- Check underneath the leaves regularly for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Seperate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Regularly, damp-wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to discourage the pests.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to reduce the hiding and breeding places for these pests.
Diseases
Anthurium radicans is prone to root-rot disease which is more prevalent in 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 recommended on the label.
- 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 and keep it dry for 5-7 days before you can resume watering.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
- Cut down on watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time.
Related Content: 8 Common Anthurium Problems and How to Fix It.
You liked it? Share on social media.
Related Content
Amazon Associates Disclosure
Homeplantsguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.