How to Grow Anthurium Scherzerianum in India

Anthurium Scherzerianum is one of the most beautiful flowers you can grow in your home and garden! Let’s have a look at all the details.

The Anthurium Scherzerianum is a spectacle to see. Its brightly colored red spathes, along with beautiful dark green foliage, make it a highly desirable plant for gardeners worldwide. It is quite rare and hence more valuable.

Botanical Name: Anthurium Scherzerianum

Common Names: Flamingo flower, Flamingo Lily, Pig tailed plant

Anthurium Scherzerianum Information

The Anthurium Scherzerianum, more commonly known as the Flamingo Flower, is an exotic house plant that can bring a little tropical touch to your garden or wherever it may have been placed. It grows up to heights of 30–45 cm (12–18 in) and produces gorgeous red flower-like spathes.

The glossy leaves are a point of attraction. It can easily glorify your bedroom along with your garden, so there is a variety of places to put this plant, given that all the requirements are being fulfilled. To have this plant is nothing short of a blessing as they not only beautify the environment, but their huge leaves suck in carbon dioxide and expel oxygen for us to breathe.

Propagating Anthurium Scherzerianum

There are multiple ways to propagate Anthurium Scherzerianum. The following processes are the simplest and the most effective.

Root Division:

Take a healthy Anthurium Scherzerianum mother plant and gently pull it out of the pot.
Use water to loosen up the soil that is stuck to the roots.
Carefully divide the plant from the roots into two different baby plants.
Beware, the roots are toxic and hence should be handled with extreme care.
After successfully dividing the plant, pot each baby plant into a pot of its own which has pre-existing optimal potting mix.
Water it thoroughly after the planting process.
Flamingo flowers are slow-growing plants and may take some time to start blooming again but you shall see results in about 50 days.

Stem Cuttings:

Take a healthy, fully-grown Anthurium Scherzerianum plant to begin this process.
Using pruners or knives that are sterilized using alcohol or household disinfectant liquids, cut a good portion of the stem.
Make sure that the stem cuttings have two or more nodes.
The more nodes, leaves, and aerial roots, the higher the chances of its survival.
If there are any curling or dying leaves, cut them off, as they will be nothing but a burden for the growth of the newer plant.
Place the plant where the is high humidity.
Take care of the plant as usual, and you will notice progress in 5-6 weeks

Requirements to Grow Anthurium Scherzerianum

Sunlight

Bright, indirect sunlight is best for the growth of Anthurium Scherzerianum. Do not expose it to direct harsh light (especially afternoon sun) for an extended period of time, as it may lead to sun scorching of the foliage and also dehydration.

Soil

Any loose, well-draining soil will work wonders on the growth of Anthurium Scherzerianum. If you have access to a volcanic cinder, that would be beneficial.

Use perlite, moss, coconut husk, and regular potting soil to make an effective potting mix. The draining characteristic of the soil should be very well, as stagnant, water-logged soil may lead to root rot.

Watering

Since Anthurium Scherzerianum is native to the tropical regions of the world, they originally receive a good amount of rainfall which does not pile up along the roots of the plant.

While being in a pot, it is necessary to water the plant often but also make sure that the water is draining out instead of being trapped at the bottom.

Temperature

The ideal temperature for Anthurium Scherzerianum is about 80°F (26°C). If exposed to temperatures above 90°F (32°C), there is a high chance of the plant getting damaged. Temperatures below 60°F (15°C) can hinder flowering and foliage growth. Frost can be lethal to this plant.

Humidity

Anthurium Scherzerianum loves high humidity. The optimal percentage of humidity is set to be around 70% to 80%. It is recommended to use a humidifier or group up a bunch of similar tropical plants to reach the required humidity level.

Taking Care of Anthurium Scherzerianum

Maintenance

The leaves of the Anthurium Scherzerianum are big and glossy. The settlement of dust may take away their glorious appearance. So it is necessary to once in a while wipe the leaves along with the spathe with a damp cloth. Misting too can be helpful not only in cleaning but also raising the humidity level.

Fertilizer

Since Anthurium Scherzerianum is a heavy feeder, it requires a lot of nutrients. It is advisable to fertilize the plant once every two weeks in the growing season and once every four weeks in the colder seasons.

The required NPK ratio of the fertilizer should be 16-5-11. Do follow the instructions on the label.

Repotting

Anthurium Scherzerianum doesn’t require frequent repotting. Once every two years will suffice. In the repotting process, take out the plant completely from its previous pot and place it into a larger pot with the required potting mix. Make sure to water it decently after the repotting process.

Pruning

The pruning process of Anthurium Scherzerianum is very simple. Use sterile and hygienic pruners to cut off and curl discolored leaves. Any dead spathe or leaf should also be cut off to promote better aesthetics and lively plant growth.

Pest and Diseases

Anthurium Scherzerianum is prone to a variety of diseases and pest attacks. Some of them are mentioned below.

Diseases:

Anthracnose
Root Rot
Leaf Spot
Powdery Mildew

Pests:

Aphids
Scale Insect
Spider Mites
Thrips

Usage of the right pesticide/insecticide and neem oils can be beneficial to save your plant from infections and infestations.

Anthurium Scherzerianum Toxicity

Similar to all the anthuriums, the Flamingo flower also contains calcium oxalate. Chewing on these plants can irritate the mouth and other affected areas. Although its toxicity level is quite low, it can still be a problem for kids and pets, so it will be a good idea to keep it away from their reach.