Anthurium Warocqueanum: Expert Care Tips for the Queen Anthurium

Anthurium warocqueanum, also known as queen anthurium or the queen plant, is a beauty like no other. As you read through this article, you will realize why tagging this plant with the word “queen” is not only fair but well-deserved.

All the information that you need to know with regard to appropriately caring for and propagating the Anthurium warocqueanum is compiled in this complete guide. 

What Is Anthurium Warocqueanum?

The Anthurium warocqueanum is an epiphyte that has unique thick and leathery leaves with silver venations. Epiphytes have the ability to grow on trees and other forms of support, but they are not parasites because they don’t take nutrients from their hosts.

The Anthurium warocqueanum growth rate is relatively high and its foliage can reach a height of six feet. Anthurium warocqueanum leaves have a dark green color that adds to their gorgeous look. The leaves of the queen anthurium are uniquely thick and they have a leathery feel that makes the plant stand out among others.

The beauty of the Anthurium warocqueanum is even enhanced by its silver venations, whose presence becomes more pronounced as the plant grows and matures. 

Quick Overview

Here is a handy table of this plant’s requirements.

How to Care for Anthurium Warocqueanum

Anthurium warocqueanum is a cultivar that requires much of your attention and dedication. To avoid costly mistakes when taking care of your Anthurium warocqueanum, you should thoroughly understand the parenting requirements of the plant and plan accordingly. 

– Light Requirements

The Anthurium warocqueanum is happy when it is exposed to a lot of sunlight, but take note that it should never be direct. In its natural habitat, this plant grows towards the light, which reflects the plant’s high quest for sunlight.

Exposing your Anthurium warocqueanum to direct sunlight for extended periods of time can cause its leaves to be burned. The leaves might even develop dark brown or black spots as a result of direct sunlight.

– Water Requirements

The Anthurium warocqueanum has strict requirements for watering because it is quite sensitive to the irregular and sloppy patterns of quenching its thirst. We recommend that you create a watering schedule that you will follow to the tee to keep your plant healthy. Soaking your Anthurium warocqueanum will actually damage it. The same applies to keeping the plant in soil that is drenched in water — always avoid this.

If you let the potting soil of the Anthurium warocqueanum dry up for any reason, the plant will turn to its leaves as the source of water. You wouldn’t want that to happen as it is a threat to your plant’s vitality.

Watering Anthurium warocqueanum about three times a week during the summer months is best. During the winter season, once a week will do. More evaporation takes place during summer, a lot more than in winter. This partly explains the higher watering frequency in summer as compared to winter.

– Humidity Requirements

The Anthurium warocqueanum requires a lot of humidity, even in its natural habitat. Based on this, it sounds logical to provide the queen anthurium with conditions that have large amounts of humidity, even when it is being grown indoors.

However, this can be disastrous if the aeration is poor. In the natural habitat for the Anthurium warocqueanum, the high levels of humidity are coupled with very good aeration.

Unfortunately, it is difficult to create the level of aeration that compares to the one that exists in the natural habitat for the queen anthurium if you are growing your plant indoors.

Therefore, you can deal with the humidity that you can afford indoors but be sure to compensate for it with more frequent watering. Outdoors, the humidity levels should not be lower than 70 percent.

In the event that your indoor humidity is lower than 55 percent, you might need to use a humidifier, but if you don’t have one, a pebble tray might also help. Get a wide and shallow tray, put pebbles in it, and fill it with water.

Put the pot of the plant on top of the pebbles, making sure that it does not come into contact with the water in the tray. The water that evaporates from the tray saturates the atmosphere that surrounds your plant, leading to higher levels of humidity in the area.

– Temperature

The Anthurium warocqueanum requires the right temperatures for it to grow well. Temperature ranges between 68 F and 86 F are the most conducive for the plant’s survival. Being a tropical plant, the Anthurium warocqueanum does well in climates that are hot and highly humid.

Trying to replicate the exact temperatures that are found in the natural habitats of the queen anthurium is virtually impossible in home or indoor settings.

Once you have your plant, gradually introduce it to relatively lower temperatures. The difference should not be too big but it is important to introduce your plant to temperatures that you can consistently provide.

We recommend that you buy your Anthurium warocqueanum during the summer. Since the temperatures are higher in summer, your plant will be able to adapt with less effort and trauma.

– Soil

The Anthurium warocqueanum has specific soil requirements that you should adhere to. First, the plant needs a potting mix that allows its roots to breathe freely. The queen anthurium requires a loose soil structure that aids proper drainage when you water it. This is the best way to prevent waterlogging conditions that promote root rot.

While it is possible to get a commercially available potting mix for your plant, we recommend that you create your own using various ingredients. You can do so by mixing charcoal, bark mix, fern fiber and some soil — just a sprinkle will do.

The charcoal in your potting mix will act as an antibacterial agent in addition to eliminating unpleasant odors. The fern fiber keeps the soil mixture well integrated, while also helping to retain the moisture.

It is possible to grow the Anthurium warocqueanum in sphagnum moss, even though this is not the natural substrate for growing this plant. A good rule of thumb when selecting the right substrate for growing the Anthurium warocqueanum is to choose soil that is well-draining, relatively moisture-retaining, well-aerated and nutritious.

– Fertilizer

When the queen anthurium grows in its natural habitat, it can source various nutrients from elements of their environments. The surfaces on which they grow are usually highly nutritious as they are nourished consistently.

The plants can even source vitamins and minerals from their surrounding ecosystem. However, the situation is different when you are growing your Anthurium warocqueanum indoors, which is why fertilizing your plant is a necessity.

Some of the main nutrients that should be consistently provided to your Anthurium warocqueanum are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. If the queen plant is unable to get these nutrients from its potting soil or fertilizer, it will find other means to get those nutrients. Unfortunately, the first option that the plant has is its foliage.

Slow-release fertilizers are the best because they provide a consistent source of nutrients over a longer period of time. The challenge with quick-release fertilizers is that all the nutrients are made available to the plant at almost the same time and they can be easily leached during watering. You can also consider using a liquid fertilizer. Whatever choice of fertilizer you go with, be sure to follow the dilution instructions that are written on the package.

– Potting

Wooden pots are the best option when you are growing the Anthurium warocqueanum because the queen plant is an epiphyte that grows while attached to trees. Therefore, the roots of your plant would happily attach to the walls of a wooden pot the same way they would attach to a tree in the plant’s natural habitat.

There is no harm in using a terracotta pot, too. Just make sure the pot has enough drainage holes.

How to Propagate Anthurium Warocqueanum

There are many options for propagating the Anthurium warocqueanum, but propagation through stem cuttings is the most common due to the higher success rate that is associated with it.

Propagating your plant through Anthurium warocqueanum seeds is feasible but the success rate of this method is questionable.

– Stem Cuttings

The first step in propagating the Anthurium warocqueanum using this method is to prepare the cuttings. Get your cuttings from the mother plant, but don’t forget to put on your gloves as you handle your plant.

Additionally, make sure to disinfect the tools that you will use to cut the stem cuttings from the mother plant. Doing this helps to protect the mother plant and the new plants from possible bacterial, fungal and viral infections.

Perlite is a great substrate for propagating your queen anthurium through stem cuttings. This is mainly due to its good aeration and water-preserving properties. Find a pot that has enough drainage holes and fill it with your perlite.

Now dip the cut end of the cutting into the substrate in the pot prior to putting the pot into a container with water. Let the water start to enter the pot through the drainage holes until a third of the perlite is covered in water.

Take out your pot from the container with water, cover everything in a plastic bag, and let your cuttings establish themselves. For best results, carry out your propagation procedures between the months of spring and early autumn.

– Division

The Anthurium warocqueanum produces offshoots that are used for propagating the plant through division. To begin this process, check your plant for healthy offshoots. Once you find them, prepare the equipment that you will use to cut the offshoots, be it a knife, pruning shear or scissors. You can wipe the cutting tool with 70 percent alcohol prior to holding it over a flame for a few seconds.

Cut off the offshoots that you selected and make sure they have roots on them. This helps the plant to establish itself quickly. Pour some cinnamon on the wounds that are on both the cut offshoots and mother plant. Get a handful of damp sphagnum moss and put the offshoot in it.

Keep the environment around your offshoots warm and humid in order to expedite the rooting process. Once your plant produces roots, you now have a new Anthurium warocqueanum plant. You can then repot it and take care of it the same way you do the mother plant.

Problems

Like any other plant, the Anthurium warocqueanum has its own set of problems that you should anticipate as you take care of it. In this section, we will look at some of these problems and discuss the possible solutions for them.

– Toxicity

The Anthurium warocqueanum is toxic when consumed. The sap of the queen plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which is the reason why this plant poses dangers to people’s health upon consumption. Chewing the leaves of the Anthurium warocqueanum releases calcium oxalate crystals.

Upon consumption, this plant can cause a tingling, burning sensation in the mouth. You might even get a swollen mouth or in severe cases, experience breathing problems. It is rare for a person to die as a result of ingesting parts of the Anthurium warocqueanum.

It is always a good idea to keep your queen plant away from your pets and children. In the event that your child has accidentally consumed the Anthurium warocqueanum, let them drink milk and immediately go to the nearest hospital so that appropriate measures can be taken.

– Root

Root rot is one of the main issues that you should do everything that you can to prevent because it is usually difficult to rectify. Root rot is usually characterized by weak and droopy foliage. The reason for the withering and weak leaves is the inability of the plant’s roots to support the foliage with enough water and nutritional needs.

For you to determine if the cause of the drooping foliage is root rot, troubleshoot other factors such as sunlight, humidity, temperature, watering patterns and fertilizer application.

If none of these seem to be the cause of the problem, then root rot is the most probable culprit. Gently uproot your Anthurium warocqueanum and check its roots to see if they appear dry, mushy, black or damaged.

If some of the roots are not severely affected, you can remove the affected ones to stop the proliferation of the disease. After doing this, consider repotting your queen anthurium in a new pot with a fresh, disinfected potting mix.

This way, you stop the cycle of the pathogen that previously attacked your plant. Your gloves should be on and you should sterilize all the equipment that you use with 70 percent isopropyl alcohol.

– Yellow Leaves

When you notice the green leaves of your plant turning yellow, it is a cause for concern if the plant is still young. It is normal for the leaves of the older Anthurium warocqueanum plants to turn yellow at some point in time as this is part of the plant’s life cycle.

If you notice that the leaves of your young plant are turning yellow, you should revisit your care patterns to see if you are doing everything right. Some of the possible causes of yellowing leaves are underwatering and overwatering, as well as direct, unfiltered light. When the roots of your plant are rotting for any reason, the leaves of your plant may also turn yellow.

Reviving your plant in the case of yellowing leaves is not easy but not impossible. Simply troubleshoot the possible causes that we mentioned in this section and try to rectify any discrepancies. Depending on the extent of the damage, you will see your plant recovering. You might need to prune off the yellow leaves, especially if some of the leaves are not yet affected.

– Leaf Damage

The thick leaves of your queen anthurium can be damaged if they stay wet for prolonged periods of time. When water sits on the leaves of the Anthurium warocqueanum, they become prone to bacterial infections that damage them. An attack caused by bacterial infections is evident through brown circles that have yellow hues.

Never water your plant from the top of its leaves to prevent them from becoming wet. Instead, pour water directly on the soil. If the leaves of your queen plant get wet by any chance, place them on a spot that is well aerated so that they will dry quickly.

Always handle your plant carefully so that you don’t cause physical damage to them. You can consider completely removing severely damaged leaves so as to maintain the beauty of your plant.

– Browning Leaves

If the leaves of your queen plant begin to turn brown, there are three possible causes. First, it might be a sunburn if the plant was exposed to too much direct sunlight. Though the Anthurium warocqueanum requires a lot of light, direct sunlight can distort the appearance of your plant.

Second, nutrient deficiencies can cause browning leaves. Applying slow-release or liquid fertilizers to your plant’s potting mix to improve nutritional availability will help with this issue. Third, the browning leaves may be due to underwatering. Follow the correct patterns of watering your plant so that it gets the moisture that it requires for proper and healthy growth.

– Pests

The Anthurium warocqueanum is not one of those plants that readily attract pests. However, if it’s surrounded by plants that are prone to attack by pests, the queen plant will eventually become infected, too.

Most gardeners complain of mealybugs, scales and spider mites as far as the Anthurium warocqueanum is concerned. We, therefore, recommend that you regularly scout for these pests on your plant so that you can determine their presence and get rid of them before they can cause much harm.

If you can’t see the pests, you can check for the marks of their presence. Spider mites form web-like dust that is white in color, while mealybugs and scales can leave transparent fluids that are sticky on the foliage of your plant. Spider mites, scales and mealybugs survive by drawing sap from your plant.

While it seems more logical to use systemic pesticides to deal with these pests, we do not recommend you to do so because these pesticides can be harmful to humans.

Dip some cotton balls into 70 percent isopropyl alcohol and dab on the pests, especially when they are still few in number. The alcohol will destroy the outer coat of the pests, thereby killing them. Neem Oil is also a relatively safe organic pesticide that is effective in destroying sucking pests. Another viable option is to use insecticidal soaps, whether commercially sourced or homemade.

FAQ

What pots are best for Anthurium Warocqueanum?

Choose pots with excellent drainage, such as terra cotta or porous containers, for Anthurium Warocqueanum’s optimal growth.

Should you water Anthurium Warocqueanum with ice cubes?

Avoid watering Anthurium Warocqueanum with ice cubes, as it prefers lukewarm water to maintain its health and prevent shock.

Is Epsom salt good for Anthurium Warocqueanum?

Conclusion

Taking care of a houseplant has never been this easy, even more so with the extensive information that has been provided in this article. Here is a recap of the things that you should know by heart as you care for your Anthurium warocqueanum:

• The Anthurium warocqueanum is a light lover but it does not tolerate direct sunlight.
• This plant prefers consistent and regular watering patterns that give it a constant provision of moisture.
• The queen plant thrives best when humidity levels are very high.
• Temperatures between 68 F and 86 F are conducive for the growth of the Anthurium warocqueanum.
• You can create a well-draining and relatively moisture-retaining potting mix by mixing charcoal, fern fiber, bark mix and some soil.
• Add a slow-release fertilizer to give your plant a constant supply of nutrients.
• Wooden pots are the best for Anthurium warocqueanum since the plant attaches to tree stems its natural habitat.
• Propagating the queen plant can be done through seeds, stem cuttings and division.
• Check your plant for root and leaf discrepancies and keep it away from kids and pets because it is toxic when ingested.
• Be on the lookout for mealybugs, scales and spider mites.

Now it’s time to incorporate the practical aspects of the theoretical concepts that you have learned. Enjoy the experience of caring for your gorgeous queen anthurium!

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