Anthurium scherzerianum Indoor Care; Watering, Light, Soil, Propagation & Problems
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Anthurium scherzerianum (Flamingo Flower) requires bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Anthurium scherzerianum also called Pigtail Plant is among popular Anthurium varieties and features shiny, lance-shaped leaves and glossy, red, heart-spaded blooms which can last for weeks.
Flamingo Flower is one of the favorite flowering plants and has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit as an ornamental plant.
Anthurium scherzerianum may be mistaken for Anthurium andraeanum, but the difference between them is in the spadix where A. andraeanum has a straight spadix while A. scherzerianum has a curly one.
Botanical name: Anthurium scherzerianum
Family: Araceae
Common names: Flamingo Flower, Pigtail Plant
Origin
Anthurium scherzerianum is native to the tropical regions of Costa Rica where it grows as an epiphyte on trees.
Size
Flamingo flower grows to a height of 1 foot and the lance-shaped leaves are about 8 inches long.
Flower
Anthurium scherzerianum blooms are not true flowers but are spathes, each with a white spadix covered densely with tiny, true flowers. The blooms are 2 inches long, waxy flowers with an orange, curly tail. Brilliant red is the usual color but a white variety (album) is available. On account of its magnificent flowers, Flamingo Flower is among favored plants for the office where it will create a spectacular sight.
Is Anthurium scherzerianum toxic?
Yes, Anthurium scherzerianum 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 this plant and wash your hands thereafter.
Where to Buy
If you would like to add Flamingo Flower to your collection, you may acquire them from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Anthurium scherzerianum Care Indoors
To care for Anthurium scherzerianum indoors, give it bright indirect light, warmth of 15-270C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Flamingo Flower requires repotting only when it outgrows its current pot. Pruning is necessary to keep it neat and also minimize pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
Water Anthurium scherzerianum liberally in spring and summer until water drips 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 avoid rotting, drooping, yellowing and browning.
Decrease watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is less at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a prolonged time to prevent wilting, drooping, yellowing and brown leaf tips.
Use tepid (room temperature) water to prevent cold shock which can lead to stunted growth. Ensure that the water is free of chlorine to avoid browning of leaf edges.
Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Avoid wetting the foliage to reduce fungal diseases.
Light Requirements
Anthurium scherzerianum grows best in bright indirect light (dappled light); place it next to a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.
Low light will result in leggy growth which is characterized by pale leaves and stretched stems. Therefore, if the natural lighting is inadequate, use full spectrum grow lights to complement it.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Anthurium scherzerianum prospers in a warmth of 15-270C. Keep it away from drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature which can result in slowed growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and brown leaf tips and edges.
Flamingo Flower thrives in a humidity of 60-70%. Too low humidity (dry air) will cause brown leaf tips and edges. To stepup humidity, group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Maintain proper ventillation to minimze fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Flamingo Flower with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2 weeks in spring and summer to promote flowering. Withhold feeding in fall and winter as growth is minimal and feeding at this time can lead to fertilizer burn.
Flush out accumulated salts regularly by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow it to run for 5-10 minutes to get rid of most of the salts.
Potting Soil
The best potting soil for Anthurium scherzerianum should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent waterlogging while providing the required nutrients. An Aroids potting mix is a good choice for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Anthurium scherzerianum 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.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Flamingo Flower is easy. Remove yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant tidy as well as reduce pest infestation.
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.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust. Do not leave water drops on the leaves as it can lead to fungal diseases.
Flamingo Flower Care After Blooming
Once blooming is over, give Flamingo Flower a 6 weeks rest period in a dimly-lit room at 150C. Give it very little water during this period.
Bring out the plant after the rest period and continue with normal care. This will break the dormancy cycle and signal the Flamingo Flower to start blooming.
Anthurium scherzerianum Propagation
Anthurium scherzerianum is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season from from splits by plant division.
Propagating Flamingo Flower by plant divison
- Water the plant thoroughly at least one day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment.
- Slip 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. Take 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 plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.
Related Content: How to Propagate Anthurium Plants by 5 Easy Methods.
Anthurium scherzerianum Problems & Remedies
Anthurium scherzerianum problems are brown leaves, yellow leaves, lack of blooms, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their solutions.
Brown leaves
The main causes of brown leaves on Anthurium scherzerianum are low humidity, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, direct sunlight or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Low humidity: To up 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 feel dry to the touch; do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Direct sunlight: Place the plant in a more shaded place or use a light curtain to diffuse the sunshine.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from drafts like windy doors, AC units, heat vents, stoves, drafty windows among others.
Yellow leaves
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Anthurium scherzerianum are too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, nutrients deficiency or drafts.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will get bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry and do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and free-draining soil.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer every 2 weeks in spring and summer.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, heat sources, hot air vents among others.
Lack of blooms
Lack of blooms on Anthurium scherzerianum is caused by too low light, nutrients deficiency, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress or dry air.
How to fix it
Too low light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is not enough.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed the plant every 2 weeks with a phosphorous-rich, water-soluble fertilizer in the growing season.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, heat vents, stoves, windy doors, drafty windows among others.
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to increase humidity.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves and stems on Anthurium scherzerianum is caused by low humidity, inconsistent watering, direct sunlight, drafts or pests infestations.
How to fix it
Low humidity: To heighten humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry and never allow the soilball to dry out completely.
Direct sunlight: Shield the plant from direct sunlight by use of a sheer curtain.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like radiators, AC units, heat vents, stoves, windy doors, drafty windows among others.
Pests infestations: Regularly inspect the plant and take timely control measures for these pests.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Anthurium scherzerianum are caused by dry air, underwatering, soggy soil or salts buildup.
How to fix it
Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise 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 a well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.
Salts buildup: Regularly, flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it flows out through the drainage hole.
Pests
Common pests on Anthurium scherzerianum are mealybugs, aphids and scales which are common in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Check underneath the leaves regularly for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Seperate the infested plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with a neem oil or an insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Regularly, damp-wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to discourage the pests.
- Keep the plant well pruned to reduce the hiding and breeding places for these pests.
Diseases
Anthurium scherzerianum is susceptible to root-rot disease which is 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
- 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 indicated by the manufacturer.
- 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 resume watering.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and free-draining soil to prevent waterlogging.
- Reduce 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.
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