Anthurium veitchii (King Anthurium) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems and Remedies
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Anthurium veitchii (King Anthurium) prefers bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Anthurium veitchii is one of the rare Anthurium varieties and features large, pendulous leaves which are a sight to behold in a hanging basket, on a pedestal or tabletop.
King Anthurium is a slow-growing plant whose long leaves have a corrugated appearance. A new leaf may take upto 3 months to develop.
King's species name, 'veitchii' is in honor of John Veitch, the founder of a longstanding group of plant nurseries based in Exeter, United Kingdom.
Anthurium veitchii comes in two forms; the narrow-leaved form and the wide-leaved form. They are very similar save for a few differences. The narrow form has narrower and more pointed leaves than the wide form.
The ribs are fewer and spaced a little further apart in the wide form than the narrow form. The wide form is more tolerant of indoor humidity than the narrow form.
Botanical name: Anthurium veitchii
Family: Araceae
Common name: King Anthurium
Origin
Anthurium veitchii is native to the tropical rain forests in Colombia, South America where it grows as an epiphyte on trees.
Size
King Anthurium can grow to a height of 3-6 feet and 3-4 feet wide. The leaves may be up to 6 feet long which places this plant among the large-leafed plants ideal for a bold statement in any space.
Is Anthurium veitchii toxic?
Yes, Anthurium veitchii like other Anthuriums is toxic to both humans and pets. Anthuriums have been found to contain oxalate crystals which can cause digestive distress, breathing problems and skin irritation. Keep the plant away from children and pets. Always wear gloves when handling this plant and wash your hands thereafter.
Where to Buy
Are you looking to add Anthurium veitchii to your collection? You can get magnificent plants from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Anthurium veitchii Care Indoors
To care for Anthurium veitchii indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 18-280C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained potting soils coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
King Anthurium requires removal of yellow leaves to keep it neat as well as reduce pest and disease infestations. Repotting is only needed when it becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for a detailed account on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water King Anthurium liberally in spring and summer when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to prevent rotting, drooping, yellowing and browning of leaves.
Decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely for a long period to prevent wilting, drooping, yellowing and browning of leaf tips.
Use tepid (room temperaure) water as consistently watering with cold water can lead to cold shock resulting in stunted growth. Only use chlorine-free water to prevent browning of leaf edges.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole and empty the saucer to prevent waterlogging which can cause root-rot and eventual loss of the plant. Avoid wetting the foliage to minimize fungal diseases.
Light Requirements
Anthurium veitchii grows best in bright indirect light (dappled light). Keep it away from direct sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.
Low light will result in yellowing and leggy growth. If the natural lighting is not adequate, consider investing in a grow light to supplement it for a lush growth.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth to avoid lop-sided growth.
Temperature & Humidity
King Anthurium thrives in a warmth of 18-280C. Keep it away from drafts to prevent sudden temperature changes which can result in stunted growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and browning.
Anthurium veitchii needs a humidity of 60-70%. Too low humidity (dry air) will cause browning of leaf tips and edges. To increase humidity, group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a humidifier. Maintain good air flow to minimize fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Anthurium veitchii with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing period for a healthy growth. Stop feeding in the cold season 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 flows out through the drainage hole.
Potting Soil
The best potting soil for King Anthurium should be rich in organic matter and well-draining to prevent sogginess. An Aroids potting mix is ideal for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Anthurium veitchii every 1-2 years at the beginning of the growing season. Use a pot one size larger and well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.
Ensure that the pot has drainage holes to avoid getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these self watering pots on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning Anthurium veitchii is easy as it involves removal yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat as well as reduce pest and disease infestations.
Cut the yellow leaves at the base of the stem with a sharp sterlized knife or a pair of scissors to avoid unnecessary injuries which can lead to disease infestations. Cut away any wayward leaves to maintain the shape of the plant.
Brush the leaves with a soft brush to get rid of dust. Avoid wetting the leaves as it can result in fungal diseases infestations.
Anthurium veitchii Propagation
Anthurium veitchii (King Anthurium) is best propagated during the growing season from splits by plant division.
Propagating King Anthurium by plant division
- Water the plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment.
- Carefully, slip the plant out of its pot and divide it into sections by pulling apart the roots. Ensure each split has adequate roots to hasten establishment.
- Select a 6 or 8 inches pot with a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy which 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 split.
- Place the split in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base. Take care not to bury it too deep; maintain the split 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 Aplant is well established after which you can begin routine care.
Related Content: How to Propagate Anthurium Plants by 5 Easy Methods.
Anthurium veitchii Problems & Solutions
Anthurium veitchii (King Anthurium) problems are brown leaves, yellow leaves, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their remedies.
Brown leaves
The main causes of brown leaves on Anthurium veitchii are dry air, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, direct sunlight or drafts.
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 feel dry to the touch but do not allow the soil to dry out completely; do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Direct sunlight: Place the plant in a more shaded place or use a sheer curtain to diffuse the sunrays.
Drafts: 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 veitchii are low light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, nutrients deficiency or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Low light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive 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 dry and do not allow the soilball to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and free-draining soil.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 6-8 weeks in spring and summer.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, heat sources, hot air vents among others.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves on Anthurium veitchii is caused by dry air, inconsistent watering, direct sunlight, drafts or pests infestations.
How to fix it
Dry air: To upscale 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 dry and never allow the soilball to dry out completely.
Direct sunlight: Shield the plant from direct sunlight by use of a light curtain.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like, AC units, heat vents, stoves, radiators windy doors, drafty windows among others.
Pests infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Anthurium veitchii 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 leave the soil to dry out completely; water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry.
Soggy soil: Use a free-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.
Salts buildup: Regularly, leach out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it drips through the drainage hole.
Pests
Common pests on Anthurium veitchii are spider mites, scales, mealybugs, aphids and fungus gnats.
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 recommendations.
- Regularly, clean the leaves with a damp, soft cloth to discourage the pests.
- Maintain the plant well pruned to reduce the hiding and breeding places for these pests.
Diseases
Anthurium veitchii 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
- 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, free-draining soil.
- Do not water the plant immediately and keep it dry for 5-7 days before you resume watering.
- Use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent sogginess.
- Lessen watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is slow at this time.
Related Content: 8 Common Anthurium Problems and How to Fix It.
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