How to Propagate Anthurium metallicum in 4 Easy Ways

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Anthurium metallicum can be propagated by plant divison, from stem cuttings, and by air layering. Stem cuttings can be rooted either in soil or in water.

The best time to propagate Anthurium metallicum is during the growing season (spring and summer). At this time, the plant is actively growing, which hastens establishment of new roots. Propagating in fall or winter is not advisable as the plant’s growth is minimal, making root formation much more difficult.

Anthurium metallicum is one of the popular Anthurium varieties and is loved for its large, velvety, dark-green almost black leaves with distinct veining and a beautiful metallic sheen.

Anthurium metallicum is fun to grow when given the right conditions. It thrives in bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 16-28⁰C, humidity of 60-80% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, aroids potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Read more on how to grow and care for Anthurium metallicum.

Lets dive into how you can successfully propagate new healthy Anthurium metallicum plants. In this guide, we discuss 4 methods by which you can easily propagate new plants.

(A) Propagating Anthurium metallicum by Plant Division

Difficulty: Easiest and most beginner-friendly method

Best for: Mature plants with multiple stems

Time to Root: 2-3 weeks

Gather your supplies

• A healthy, mature Anthurium metallicum
• Sharp, sterilized pruning shears or scissors
• Small pots with a drainage hole
• Well-draining soil

1. Anthurium metallicum Propagation by Plant Division

1. Thoroughly water the plant one day prior 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.


2. Gently remove the plant from its pot, wash or shake off excess soil and locate natural divisions where the plant has multiple stems.


3. With a clean pruning scissors, carefully cut apart sections with roots and leaves or by hands pull apart the roots to divide the plant into sections. Ensure each section has adequate roots to hasten establishment.


4. Select a 6-8 inches pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy to avoid rotting.


5. Fill the pot with loose, well-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.


6. 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 it at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.


7. Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up under bright indirect light in a warm place until the new Anthurium plant is well established then begin routine care.

✅ Pros: Fast and nearly foolproof

❌ Cons: Requires a mature plant with multiple stems

(B) Propagating Anthurium metallicum from stem cuttings

Difficulty: Moderate

Best for: Leggy plants with aerial roots

Time to Root: 4-6 weeks

Step 1: Gather your supplies

• A healthy Anthurium metallicum with a strong or leggy stem
• Sharp, sterilized pruning shears or scissors
• A clean jar of water or a propagation station
• Small pots with a drainage hole
• Well-draining soil
• Rooting hormone
• A plastic bag or humidity dome

Step 2: Take stem cuttings

1. Find a sturdy stem that has at least one node and an aerial root.


2. With a sharp, sterilized pair of pruning scissors, take stem cuttings by snipping the stem just below the node as this is where new growth will come from.


3. Allow the cutting to dry for a few hours and then dip the lower cut end in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.

Step 3: Choose water or soil propagation

Choose either water or soil propagation.

2. Anthurium metallicum Propagation from Stem Cuttings in Soil

1. Fill a small pot with well-draining, potting mix and make a hole in the center. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the base of the stem cutting.


2. Insert about 1-2 inches of the lower cut end of the stem cutting in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the stem cutting while taking care not to bury it too deep.


3. Water the soil thoroughly. To hasten rooting of the cutting, create a mini-greenhouse by covering the set up with a clear plastic bag or humidity dome.


4. If using a plastic bag, ensure that the leaves of the cutting do not touch the plastic bag too much by propping it up with sticks.


5. Place the set up in bright indirect light and maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges; new growth indicates that rooting has taken place.


6. In about 4-6 weeks, rooting of the cutting will have taken place. Gradually over a period of two weeks, remove the plastic bag cover or humidity dome to acclimatize the new plant.


7. In 4-6 months, there will be adequate root growth and normal Anthurium metallicum care for can begin.

✅ Pros: Great for rejuvenating older plants. Stronger roots from the beginning than water propagation.

❌ Cons: Slower than root division, risk of rot if overwatered

3. Anthurium metallicum Propagation from Stem Cuttings in Water

1. Place the cuttings in a jar of plain water or in a propagation station. Place in a warm, well-lit spot away from direct sunlight. Change the water every 5-7 days.


2. When plenty of roots about 2-3 inches long have formed on the cuttings, transfer the cuttings into individual pots in moist, well-drained soil.


3. Position the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


4. Maintain the soil moist until new growth has emerged and substantial growth has been observed.


5. Transfer the new Anthurium metallicum into a pot 1 size larger than the current one while ensuring that the soil is free-draining. At this point you can begin routine care.

✅ Pros: Great for rejuvenating leggy plants. Easier for beginners than propagating in soil.

❌ Cons: Takes longer than root division, risk of rotting if overwatered

(B) Propagating Anthurium metallicum by Air Layering

Difficulty: Requires expertise

Best for: Large, mature plants

Time to Root: 6-8 weeks

Gather your supplies

• A healthy, mature plant
• Sharp, sterilized knife
• Damp moss
• Polythene film or clear plastic wrap
• Small pots with a drainage hole
• Well-draining soil
• Rooting hormone

4. Anthurium metallicum Propagation by Air Layering

1. Identify a strong, mature stem with an aerial root. Make an incision just below the node and apply a rooting hormone to the cut area to encourage rooting.


2. Pack damp moss around the notched area and secure the moss by wrapping the area with clear plastic wrap or polythene film to maintain humidity.


3. Regularly mist the moss to keep it consistently damp. Allow time for roots to develop, which may take several weeks.


4. Once roots appear and reach a length of about 2 inches, the cutting is ready for separation.


5. Using a sterilized knife or sharp scissors, carefully cut below the rooted section to separate it from the parent plant. The mother plant will produce new shoots from the cut stem.


6. Remove the polythene or plastic wrap and get ready to pot the rooted cutting.


7. Choose a 6-8 inch pot with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.


8. Fill the pot with light, airy potting soil and create a hole wide enough to accommodate the root system.


9. Gently place the cutting in the hole and firm the soil around the base, ensuring it remains upright but not buried too deeply.


10. Water the plant thoroughly and place it in a warm, well-lit spot to encourage further growth.


11. Once the plant is well established, begin regular routine care practices.

✅ Pros: Higher success rate than stem cuttings

❌ Cons: Requires patience and ongoing maintenance

Conclusion

Propagating Anthurium metallicum is a rewarding way to expand your collection or share this rare plant with others. Whether using root division, stem cuttings, or air layering, following the correct steps and care techniques will increase your success rate.

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