How to Grow and Care for Anthurium radicans Indoors
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Photo Credit: Pinterest
Botanical name: Anthurium radicans
Family: Araceae
Description
Anthurium radicans also known as Anthurium Malyi is a popular plant for 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 radicans has been greatly used by gardeners to produce a lot of new hybrids with remarkable features, but these hybrids can only produce sterile flowers.
Size
Anthurium radicans is a small herbaceous evergreen tropical perennial plant which grows to a height of about 1.8 ft.
Flower
The beautiful flowers in Anthurium radicans have both female and male organs but the female becomes more receptive before the male and therefore rely on insects for pollination.
Origin
Anthurium radicans is native to Southeastern Brazil and some parts of Ecuador where it can be found growing as a small creeping plant.
Where to Buy
Would you like to add this plant to your collection? Buy Anthurium Plants online from Etsy.
Photo Credit: Shopee Malaysia
Anthurium radicans Care Indoors
Anthurium radicans thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Anthurium radicans 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.
Light Requirements
Anthurium radicans grows best in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight as it can scorch the leaves. A curtain-filtered sunny window is perfect.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.
Anthurium radicans will also grow under a grow light where the natural lighting is not adequate.
Watering
Water Anthurium radicans liberally 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.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the Anthurium radicans.
Temperature
Anthurium radicans requires an average warmth with a minimum of 160C to thrive. Keep the plant from cold draughts to avoid sudden changes in temperature.
Humidity
Anthurium radicans thrive in humid conditions. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
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.
Fertilizer (Feeding)
Feed Anthurium radicans every 4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, liquid fertilizer. Do not feed it in the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Regularly flush out accumulated salts from the soil 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 radicans 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.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease.
Soil
The best soil for Anthurium radicans 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. Buy quality Aroids Potting Soil for Anthurium radicans online from Etsy.
Pruning
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 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.
Propagation
Anthurium radicans can be propagated during the growing season from from splits by plant division.
How to propagate Anthurium radicans by plant division
Water the Anthurium radicans 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 out 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 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 radicans is well established after which you can begin routine care.
Photo Credit: Pinterest
Anthurium radicans Problems Indoors
Anthurium radicans problems indoors include yellow leaves, brown leaf tips, drooping leaves, leaf spots, 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 radicans. One reason for brown leaf tips is that the air is too dry.
Set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
The second reason for brown leaf tips in Anthurium radicans 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).
Yellow leaves
There are two causes of yellow leaves in Anthurium radicans. One cause of yellow leaves 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 Anthurium radicans is cold draughts (cold air).
Keep the Anthurium radicans away from cold draughts or place it away from windy doors and windows.
Drooping leaves and stems
There are four causes of drooping leaves and stems in Anthurium radicans. The first cause of drooping leaves is low humidity.
To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
The second cause of drooping leaves and stems in Anthurium radicans is incorrect watering; either underwatering or overwatering.
Keep the soil moist at all times during the growing season and never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
The third cause of drooping leaves and stems in Anthurium radicans 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 radicans is pests and diseases infestation. Inspect the plant and take control measures for these pests (see below).
Pests
The common pests in Anthurium radicans are spider mites, aphids and fungus gnats. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it with Neem oil to get rid of the pests.
Brown leaf spots
The brown leaf spots are sunburn marks caused by exposure of Anthurium radicans to direct sunlight. Move the plant to a shaded place or use a curtain to filter the light.
Diseases
Anthurium radicans is prone to root-rot disease which is more prevalent in soggy soil brought about by poorly drained soils.
Maintain the soil moist but not soggy. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and that the soil is free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil.
Is Anthurium radicans toxic?
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 Anthurium radicans and wash your hands thereafter.
