Anthurium warocqueanum (Queen Anthurium) Indoor Care; Watering, Light, Soil & Propagation

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Anthurium warocqueanum (Queen Anthurium) grows best in bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Anthurium warocqueanum is among the Rare Anthurium varieties and bears light-green to very dark greenish-black, velvety leaves with short hairs, giving them a velvety texture.

Queen Anthurium is a highly sought-after plant, named for the Belgian industrialist and horticulturalist Arthur Warocqué (1835-1880). It was first collected from Colombia in 1874 by Gustav Wallis during his working period for Veitch Nurseries, United Kingdom.

Botanical name: Anthurium warocqueanum
Family: Araceae
Common name: Queen Anthurium

Origin

Anthurium warocqueanum is native to Colombia, South America where is found growing in wet lowlands and mountain valleys as an epiphyte on trees.

Size

Queen Anthurium can grow to a height of 3-4 feet and a width of 3-4 feet. The spectacular, oblong leaves mature at 3-4 feet long by about 1 foot wide placing it among the large-leafed plants ideal for a bold statement in any space.

Is Anthurium warocqueanum toxic?

Yes, Anthurium warocqueanum is toxic to both humans and pets like other Anthuriums. Anthuriums are said to contain oxalate crystals which can cause digestive distress, breathing problems and skin irritation. Keep it 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 warocqueanum to your collection? You can acquire these plants from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to Care for Anthurium warocqueanum Indoors

To care for Anthurium warocqueanum indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 18-28⁰C, humidity of 60-80% and moist, fertile, well-drained potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing period.

Queen Anthurium requires removal of yellow leaves to keep it tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestations. Repotting is only needed when it is pot-bound. Keep reading for a detailed account on the best growing conditions.

Watering

Water Queen Anthurium liberally in spring summer until the water drips out from the drainage hole. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, drooping, yellowing and browning leaves.

Lessen watering in fall and winter to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely for long as underwatering can result in wilting, drooping, yellowing and brown leaf tips.

Use tepid water as consistently watering with cold water will lead to cold shock, resulting in stunted growth. Only use chlorine-free water to prevent browning of leaf edges.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging. Always empty the saucer to avoid sogginess which can result in root-rot and loss of the plant. Avoid wetting the foliage to minimze fungal diseases.

Light Requirements

Anthurium warocqueanum thrives in bright indirect light (semi-shade); position it near a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.

Too little light will result in yellowing and leggy growth. If the natural lighting is not enough, consider using full spectrum grow lights to supplement it.

Turn the pot by 90⁰ every month, to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides, for uniform growth to avoid lop-sided growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Queen Anthurium does well in a warmth of 18-28⁰C. Keep it away from drafts to prevent sudden temperature changes which can cause reduced growth, wilting, drooping, yellowing and browning of leaves.

Anthurium warocqueanum prefers a humidity of 60-80%. Very little humidity (dry air) will lead to brown, crispy leaf tips and edges. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a humidifier or grow the plant in a closed terrarium. Ensure good air circulation to reduce fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed Anthurium warocqueanum with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer to promote growth. Do not feed in fall and winter as growth is slowed at this time 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 Queen Anthurium should be rich in organic matter and well-draining to prevent sogginess. An Aroids potting mix is good for this plant.

Photo: Amazon

Gardenera Aroid Potting Mix

Soil Sunrise Aroid Plant Potting Soil Mix

Photo: Amazon

Soil Sunrise Aroid Plant Potting Mix

Photo: Etsy

Molly's Aroid Potting Soil Mix

Repotting

Repot Anthurium warocqueanum every 2-3 years at the beginning of the growing season (spring to early summer), only when pot-bound.

Use a pot one size larger that has drainage hole and well-drained soil to prevent waterlogging as it can lead to root-rot and eventual death of the plant.

On account of its pendulous leaves, Queen Anthurium is perfect in a hanging basket. Check out these marcrame hanger and self watering pot set on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Anthurium warocqueanum 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 clean pair of scissors to avoid unnecessary injuries which can lead to disease infestations. Cut away any wayward leaves to keep the shape of the plant.

Gently damp wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to get rid of dust. Dry any water droplets on the leaves to prevent fungal infestations.

Anthurium warocqueanum Propagation

Anthurium warocqueanum (Queen Anthurium) is propagated from splits by plant division. The best time to propagate is in spring to early summer when in active growth for faster establishment.

Propagating Queen 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 that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil waterlogging 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 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 warm, well-lit 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 warocqueanum Problems & Remedies

Anthurium warocqueanum (Queen Anthurium) problems are brown leaves, yellow leaves, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips, brown leaf spots, pests and diseases among others.

Brown leaves

The main causes of brown leaves on Anthurium warocqueanum are dry air, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, direct sunlight or drafts.

Yellow leaves

Some of the causes of yellow leaves on Anthurium warocqueanum are soggy soil, inconsistent watering, dry air, temperature stress or too little light.

Drooping leaves

Drooping leaves on Anthurium warocqueanum are caused by low humidity, underwatering, direct sunlight, drafts or pests infestations.

Brown leaf tips

Brown leaf tips on Anthurium warocqueanum are caused by dry air, underwatering, soggy soil or salts buildup.

Brown leaf spots

Brown leaf spots on Anthurium warocqueanum are sun scorch marks caused by exposure to direct sunlight. Move the plant to a shaded place or use a light curtain to filter the sun.

Pests

Common pests on Anthurium warocqueanum are spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturers' recommendations.

Diseases

Queen Anthurium is prone to root-rot disease which is more prevalent in soggy soil. It is characterized by yellowing and wilting of the leaves which is rapidly followed by browning and plant collapse.

Related Content: 8 Common Anthurium Problems and How to Fix Them.