Anthurium villenaorum Care Indoors; Watering, Light, Soil, Propagation, Problems & Remedies
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Anthurium villenaorum prefers bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained potting mix coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Anthurium villenaorum is one of the sought-after Anthurium varieties on account of its glossy leaves with a slightly-corrugated texture.
The spectacular teardrop-shaped leaves vary in shades of light and dark green with prominent venation throughout the leaf.
Anthurium villenaorum has a compact growth and is considered one of the easiest of the Velvet Leaf Anthuriums which can bloom upto five times a year.
Anthurium villenaorum resembles Anthurium warocqueanum and anthurium regale but it has a more compact growth pattern.
Botanical name: Anthurium villenaorum
Family: Araceae
Origin
Anthurium villenaorum is native to Peru and Ecuador where it grows on trees as an epiphyte in its natural habitat.
Size
The Anthurium villenaorum is a slow-grower but it can grow to a height of 1.8 M and a width of 1.5 M. The leaves can grow to about 29 inches in width.
Is Anthurium villenaorum toxic?
Yes, Anthurium villenaorum like other Anthuriums is toxic to both humans and pets. It contain 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
Anthurium villenaorum are great plants for any collection. You may obtain these plants online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Anthurium villenaorum Care Indoors
To properly care for Anthurium villenaorum indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 16-270C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Anthurium villenaorum requires pruning to keep it neat and also reduce pest and disease infestations. Repotting is only needed when it becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Anthurium villenaorum liberally in spring and summer until the water drips through the drainage hole. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to avoid rotting, drooping, yellowing and browning of the leaves.
Reduce watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is slowed at thus time. Do not let the soil dry out completely for a long period as underwatering can lead to wilting, drooping, yellowing and brown leaf tips.
Use water that is at room temperature to prevent cold shock which can cause stunted growth. In addition, use chlorine-free water like rainwater or filtered water to prevent browning of leaf edges.
Confirm that the soil is free-draining and the pot has a drainage hole to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Always discard excess water from the saucer to prevent sogginess of the soil. Avoid wetting the foliage to reduce fungal diseases.
Light Requirements
Anthurium villenaorum grows best in bright indirect light (filtered light); place it near a large, bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching of the leaves.
Too little light for Anthurium villenaorum will result in yellow leaves and leggy growth. If the natural lighting is not adequate, you may 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 villenaorum requires a warmth of 16-270C. Keep it away from sources of drafts like open doors, AC units, hot air vents, radiators, drafty windows and others to avoid temperature flactuations which can cause reduced growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and browning.
Anthurium villenaorum thrives in a humidity of 60-70%. Very low humidity (dry air) 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. Ensure proper air flow to minimize fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
Feed Anthurium villenaorum with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer to boost growth. Withhold feeding in fall and winter to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time.
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 5-10 minutes to clear as much salt as possible.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Anthurium villenaorum should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent sogginess while providing the required nutrients. An Aroids potting mix is good for this plant.
Repotting
Repot Anthurium villenaorum every 1-2 years, at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), to give it enough time to recover from transplanting shock.
Select a pot one-size larger that has a drainage hole, and free-draining soil to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Check out these planters with drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Anthurium villenaorum involves removal of yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat and also discourage pest and disease infestations.
Cut the 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 dead and wayward leaves to maintain the shape of the plant.
Clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust. Do not leave water drops on the leaves as they can promote fungal infestations.
Anthurium villenaorum Propagation
Anthurium villenaorum is propagated from splits by plant division. The best time to propagate is at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), when in active growth for faster establishment.
Propagating Anthurium villenaorum by plant division
- Thoroughly water the plant at least one day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment as well as reduce shock.
- 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 that 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. Make sure 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 villenaorum Problems & Solutions
Anthurium villenaorum 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
Some of the causes of brown leaves on Anthurium villenaorum are dry air, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, direct sunlight or drafts.
How to fix it
Dry air: 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 free-draining soil.
Direct sunlight: Place the plant in a more shaded place or use a sheer curtain to diffuse the sunshine.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from drafts like windy doors, drafty windows, AC units, heat vents, stoves, radiators among others.
Yellow leaves
The main causes of yellow leaves on Anthurium villenaorum are insufficient light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, nutrients deficiency or drafts.
How to fix it
Insufficient light: Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal 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 out and do not allow the soil to dry out completely for long.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Nutrients deficiency: Feed with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, heat sources, windy doors, drafty windows, hot air vents among others.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves and stems on Anthurium villenaorum are due to low humidity, inconsistent watering, direct sunlight, drafts or pests infestations.
How to fix it
Low humidity: To increase 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 light curtain.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, heat vents, radiators, stoves, windy doors, drafty windows among others.
Pests infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely corrective measures.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Anthurium villenaorum 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 upscale 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 that has a drainage hole.
Salts buildup: Occasionally, leach 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 villenaorum are spider mites, aphids and fungus gnats.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' instructions.
- 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 villenaorum is prone to root-rot disease which is enhanced by 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 recommended 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.
- Ensure the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining prevent sogginess.
- Decrease 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 Them.
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