Anthurium Warocqueanum ‘Queen Anthurium’ Care Guide (2023)
Anthurium warocqueanum or Queen Anthurium is a wonder to behold both in an indoor or an outdoor setting. Their velvety leaf blades have vibrant deep-green coloring. Such foliage is its main attraction. They go perfectly on a simple container pot or hanging basket but would demand extra care and attention.
Scientific Name | Anthurium warocqueanum |
Common Name | Queen Anthurium |
Light | Bright direct sunlight |
Watering | Three times a week |
Temperature | Between 68-86°F (20-30°C) |
Hardiness Zone | 9-10 zone |
Humidity | 70% or more humidity |
Soil Type | Well-draining potting soil |
Soil pH | 6.6 – 7.5 between acid and neutral |
Fertilizing | Weekly but weakly with liquid fertilizer |
Repotting | Repot it in spring |
Pruning | Prune anthurium after blooms fade |
Propagation | Stem cuttings |
Toxicity | Toxic when consumed |
Mature Size | Can reach six ft tall by maturity |
Bloom Time | Spring, summer |
What’s Unique About Anthurium warocqueanum?
Anthurium warocqueanum comes from the plant family Araceae and is native to the tropical rainforests mountains of Columbia. This fast-growing perennial is well adored by many plant enthusiasts or broad-leaved plant collectors as the plant can produce leaves that can grow up to 1 meter long indoors.
The name Queen Anthurium warocqueanum is attributed to the plant’s stunning appearance that can dominate and liven up rather dull spaces and corners.
This makes them incredibly pricey both in local and online plant markets. A healthy Queen anthurium plant will have sturdy and thick green leaves with silvery-white veins. The plant is considered rare and is, therefore, a highly coveted ornamental plant.
Anthurium warocqueanum Care
Like most tropical plants, Anthurium warocqueanum plant care is consist of high humidity and a day temperature of at least 25ºC to 32ºC.
If kept indoors, place them on a spot that receives an ample amount of light. Use well-draining soil with peat moss and charcoal. Read further below about queen anthurium care.
Light
Anthurium warocqueanum light requirements range from medium to bright full sun. The plant is sun-loving and would naturally grow towards the light. However, it’s important to note that anything in excess is harmful. Too much light can eventually scorch the leaves of your foliage plant.
The Queen Anthurium light needs are measured as 10,000–20,000 lux, which is optimally categorized as bright, indirect light. If you wish to have the plant grown outdoor, the safe side would be putting it on a partially shaded spot as this will ensure that no long-term damage will be imposed to your plant.
Watering
Keep in mind that the watering needs of this species aren’t that much. Just provide a small amount of water but do it frequently and consistently. Anthurium warocqueanum plants are rather acquainted with retaining less water.
It’ll require 0.8 cups of water every 9 days given that it’s not exposed to direct sunlight. Hence, you can water queen anthurium every three days during spring and summer. Once the fall and winter seasons come, reduce the watering frequency to once a week.
Regulate Anthurium warocqueanum watering in order not to kill the plant. Coldwater is also more beneficial than a warm one.
Temperature
The best temperature for queen anthurium falls in climates with hot and humid conditions. This plant species is tropical in nature. Hence, it’ll thrive best when you plant it in locations under US hardiness zones 9 to 10.
To achieve optimal growth, make sure that your Anthurium warocqueanum temperature range
is between 68-86°F (20-30°C). This is mostly achieved in an indoor setting.
So, it’s better to keep your plant indoors. You may also place it outdoors provided that you monitor temperatures and watch put for sudden drops.
Of course, you can introduce your plant to a relatively lower temperature. It’ll encourage the plant to develop temperature tolerance.
Humidity
High humidity is the best friend of the Anthurium warocqueanum plant. It enjoys a lot when there’s plenty of moist air around, as in the rainforests of Colombia where it originates.
The ideal humidity for queen anthurium is 70% or higher. Such an environment helps the plant thrive well. You can expect lush growth of the velvety foliage. We know maintaining this humidity level can be a little challenging. But we have tips to combat this challenge.
One technique is the use of a pebble tray. Fill it in with water until you soak half of the pebbles. Place your plant on top. This moisture that evaporates will help achieve your Anthurium warocqueanum humidity requirements.
Soil
The perfect Anthurium warocqueanum soil must be well-draining and well-aerated. It’s important that the medium has a high capacity to retain water. It must be fertile as well.
To best utilize the nutrients present in the substrate, maintain the pH level for queen anthurium
between 6.6 to 7.5. Most of the macro and microelements needed by your plant will be mostly available in this pH range.
Don’t forget to add peat moss and organic materials into the soil mix. This improves the soil’s structure and eventually, drainage. We don’t want our waroc plant to be having wet feet.
Pro tip: Sterilize the soil for queen anthurium before potting to prevent soil-borne diseases.
Fertilizer
If you’re growing Anthurium warocqueanum in a pot indoors, there’s certainly a need to use fertilizer. Plants grown in containers have limited access to water and nutrients because the soil is also limited. Once the soil gets depleted of nutrients, you have to provide fertilizer for queen anthurium.
The important components of Anthurium warocqueanum fertilizer are phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium. You may opt to choose organic or inorganic sources, depending on your preference. Apply them once a week or as needed.
The correct fertilizer ratio is a one-quarter strength of the original recommendation. Make sure to follow the instructions on the label.
Potting & Repotting
Know that waroc anthurium has an epiphytic growing habit. They normally grow attached to trees for support. If you grow your plant this way, changing the wooden slabs is equivalent to repotting queen anthurium.
If you’ve used soil in potting, then, you have to repot it the same way you do with other potted plants. Detach it from its old pot and shake off the soil. Transfer to a new container that has a slightly bigger (2 to 3 inches) pot size. Fill it in with fresh potting mix and water thoroughly.
You must do Anthurium warocqueanum repotting every 2-3 years.
Pruning
You have to practice Anthurium warocqueanum pruning to keep the plant healthy. There are many benefits derived from this cultural management. One is you control the size of the plant. Another is you rejuvenate its growth.
If you’re cutting queen anthurium, remember to follow these methods. Start pruning from the top heading down. Remove the leaves that are aged, diseased and wilted. Be sure to use a sterile shear to prevent the spread of disease. Make clean, sharp, and slanted cuts to create clean wounds.
For healthy growth, give your anthurium plant a regular trim any time of the year.
Propagation
Propagation is always an important practice in gardening. When it comes to Anthurium warocqueanum propagation, the best method is via stem cutting. This method is more efficient and easier to perform.
Propagate queen anthurium by cutting a mature stem that has leaves on it. Dip it in a rooting hormone to speed up the rooting process. Place the cut stem in water until it develops its own roots. Remember to cover the entire cutting with a plastic bag to maintain high humidity.
Alternatively, you may also plant the stem cutting directly in the potting mix. But make sure to bring with you extra loads of patience.
Also, make sure to check out our in-depth Anthurium clarinervium plant care guide.
Common Problems of Anthurium warocqueanum
The most common Anthurium warocqueanum problems you’ll encounter have something to do with incorrect watering, particularly excess watering. Yellowing and dropping off of leaves come as a result of such. In most cases, the problems with queen anthurium caused by overwatering are resolved by repotting.
Other than that, pests and diseases may also cause serious trouble.
Pests
Like with most indoor plants, spider mites, scales, and mealybugs commonly comprise the Anthurium warocqueanum pests. They’re mostly hidden on the undersides of the leaves. If you don’t pay close attention, you won’t easily notice them. They’re almost microscopic unless they grow in densities.
Spray them off with pressurized water several times a week. If they remain persistent, you can use horticultural oils and diluted liquid soap. Consistently apply to the infested areas to defeat the pests. We also advise keeping infested queen anthurium away from your other houseplants. This prevents the pests from hopping from one host to another.
Diseases
Bacterial blight, bacterial wilt, rhizoctonia root rot, pythium, and black nose disease are common to anthurium species including queen anthurium. They are either caused by bacteria or fungi. You’ll observe symptoms mostly on its leaves. Lesions or chlorosis (yellowing) may appear on the foliage.
There are a variety of ways to treat or control the spread of Anthurium warocqueanum diseases. But first off, you must correctly diagnose what type of disease it is. But generally, adjusting the growing conditions will help.
Lower humidity and avoid damp conditions. Provide better air circulation and always isolate diseased plants. Repot the anthurium that has root problems.
Growing Problems
There are some serious growing problems that you have to deal with when growing an Anthurium warocqueanum. We told you, this species isn’t very forgiving. Once the environment gets stressful, this plant will react negatively.
Queen anthurium easily turns into a sick plant once overwatering occurs. This leads to root rot which in turn impedes the flow of water and nutrients from the soil to other plant parts. Such conditions could further lead to infections leaving the plant in very bad shape.
To avoid these future problems, aim to provide the best growing environment for Anthurium warocqueanum as much as possible.
Toxicity of Anthurium warocqueanum
Speaking of toxicity, we’re giving you an early warning now. You must know that queen anthurium is a toxic plant species. It contains compounds that are harmful to human and animal health when consumed in great amounts.
It pays to take great caution as this plant is toxic to both humans and pets.
For Humans
Humans, please be careful when handling a queen anthurium. Calcium oxalates are present in all parts of this plant, which is quite common for members of the Araceae family. So, don’t ever try to take a bite of its fancy leaves, stems, or flowers.
Irritation may occur in your skin and you’ll experience gastrointestinal problems. If this ever happens, don’t hesitate to go to the hospital right away. Immediate medical help is crucial.
Keep your children away from your queen anthurium at all times. Never let them play with it either. It’s better to be safe now than be sorry later.
For Pets
Likewise, pets such as dogs and cats are also in danger of getting intoxicated by the Anthurium warocqueanum. The same compound carries toxic properties which could bring serious trouble to your dogs and cats.
According to Pet Poison Helpline, common signs of intoxication include drooling, pawing at the face or mouth, oral pain, decreased appetite, or even vomiting. If you observe any of these, be quick to bring your pets to the vet.
Your pets may die from toxicity if you don’t watch out. So, please be a responsible pet owner and protect your furbabies from the dangers brought by queen anthurium.
Anthurium warocqueanum Appearance
Queen anthurium is called queen for a good reason. Its stunning beauty is worthy of its own title. The long and drooping leaves with prominent silver venations are its own main attraction. Many plant enthusiasts covet such beauty. One glance at the Anthurium warocqueanum appearance and you’ll surely be in awe.
Foliage
The foliage of Anthurium warocqueanum is nothing but the main course. It has a long and elongated shape, hanging loosely in a downward direction. This orientation speaks about its epiphytic growing habit, as they normally hang in trees in the wild.
Each leaf can reach a size of 3 to 4 feet long, which is quite long, indeed! On top of that, the dark green leaves appear to have variegations due to the prominent appearance of their leaf veins. As the plants get older, the veins become more defined and noticeable.
Queen anthurium will surely bring a dramatic vibe to your home.
Flowering
Now, let’s meet the queen anthurium flower. This one is not your typical flower that is composed of petals. Rather, the flowers come in the form of spadix, which is an elongated fleshy floral spike. It’s enclosed by a colored bract known as spathe.
However, it’s quite rare for everyone to witness the Anthurium warocqueanum flowering. This phenomenon doesn’t always happen. You’d be lucky if you ever catch one. But in nature, blooming normally occurs in the growing season.
Remember though that the flowers are equally toxic and harmful to pets and humans. So, wear your gloves if you wish to touch them.
Size and Growth
You’ll be amazed at how big the size of Anthurium warocqueanum can get. The average size of the leaves is 3-4 feet. But it can grow up to 6 feet in length. Its narrow shape makes it appear longer.
It has a fast growth rate. One small pot of queen anthurium can grow massively big within a period of 2 to 3 years. You’ll have to repot it in a bigger container if you want to encourage faster growth. But we assure you that you’ll never get disappointed. Having a plant this huge is already considered a gem as it has an expensive value.
Anthurium warocqueanum Fragrance
Anthurium species typically produce flowers that emit a variety of scents. Some are pleasant but others are not. Some are distinct while others are too subtle for us to even notice. In the case of Anthurium warocqueanum, there’s no significant fragrance to expect once the flowers bloom.
As the flowers rarely appear, Anthurium warocqueanum fragrance isn’t even noticeable to human senses. So, don’t keep your hopes up on this one. It won’t give you that irresistible smell.
Nevertheless, this isn’t a deal-breaker. The wacor plant is already a queen, even without additional fragrance. It’s gonna slay with that gorgeous foliage.
Suggested Uses for Anthurium warocqueanum
Anthurium warocqueanum will make a stunning piece indoors. Place it in the most humid parts of your home and let it fill your space with natural but extravagant beauty. You can pot it in decorative containers or hang them in wood slabs to accentuate your walls.
If you have a greenhouse, you can place the queen anthurium at the very center. Provide a small tree for it to climb on. You would have to make extra room for this as it grows really big. It’s also a great idea to combine anthurium with other tropical species such as the philodendrons.
Anthurium warocqueanum Varieties
Interested to know more about the different Anthurium warocqueanum varieties? Good thing because we have a number of varieties to introduce to you. Each one has its own unique feature. You must remember the special traits that set them apart.
There are 7 common varieties and hybrids of Anthurium warocqueanum. They are the Dark Form, Esmeralda, Chonk, warocqueanum x waterburyanum, warocqueanum x crystallinum, and warocqueanum x magnificum. Get to know the various types of queen anthurium and their specific descriptions below.
This could also be the perfect opportunity to choose which one to pick and purchase. Let’s start with this one.
Anthurium warocqueanum Dark Form
The dark form is a variety that is featured with deep dark green leaves. It has the same velvety touch and prominent vein structure. The foliage is quite striking in appearance.
Anthurium warocqueanum Esmeralda
This alternative variant has foliage that’s the same as that of the original queen anthurium. The only difference is that the shade is slightly lighter than the deep green color.
Anthurium warocqueanum Chonk
The term chonk refers to a chunk of nodes from where this variety is normally propagated. It’s quite rare to acquire. You’d be lucky to be able to grow one.
Anthurium warocqueanum x waterburyanum
This variety is a hybrid of two anthurium species: Anthurium warocqueanum and Anthurium waterburyanum. It has velvety leaves too and one that’s quite splendid in appearance. The leaves can grow up to 3 feet long.
Anthurium warocqueanum x crystallinum
Another hybrid of two-parent species, this variety is characterized by having longer and thinner leaves. The leaves are dark green in color as with most varieties of queen anthurium. The silver veins are also visible.
Anthurium warocqueanum x magnificum
This hybrid has more defined heart-shaped leaves. When touched, they also have a leather feel. It also bears the silver veins that are prominent in the original queen anthurium species.
FAQ
What is Anthurium warocqueanum?
Anthurium warocqueanum is a species of Aroid plant that has an epiphyte growing habit. It’s native to Columbia but is cultivated for its stunning and valuable beauty.
How to identify Anthurium warocqueanum?
This tropical plant has distinct leaves that are narrow and elongated reaching an average length of 3-4 feet. The leaves appear to have prominent veins visible.
How to care for Anthurium warocqueanum?
Care and maintenance aren’t that easy. Make sure to provide the best growing conditions that are close to that of its natural habitat in the rainforests.
How to grow Anthurium warocqueanum indoors?
You have to place it in a highly humid place with the optimum temperature and light conditions. Apply fertilizer regularly. Prune excess and unwanted growths. Repot every 2-3 years.
How to grow Anthurium warocqueanum outdoors?
Place Anthurium warocqueanum in a shaded place, preferably under a tree canopy. It must receive only dappled light. You may also place it inside a greenhouse.
How fast does Anthurium warocqueanum grow?
This one is a fast grower. Given the right growing conditions, each leaf could grow up to 6 feet long. Repotting helps to encourage further growth.
How tall does Anthurium warocqueanum grow?
They can reach a height of 6 feet or higher if left growing and climbing in the wild. Indoor plants have more controlled growth and size.
How to make Anthurium warocqueanum grow faster?
Prune dead, aged, or diseased leaves to rejuvenate the plant. Repot to a bigger container once it outgrows the old pot. Feed with fertilizer for a steady supply of nutrients.
How to stake Anthurium warocqueanum?
Find a pole or wood that’s longer or higher than your plant. Stick it in the soil in the pot. Gather the stems of your anthurium and tie them for support.
How to pot Anthurium warocqueanum?
Use a well-draining and well-aerated soil to serve as a potting mix for your Anthurium warocqueanum. Sterilize the medium first before planting your anthurium.
How to revive Anthurium warocqueanum?
Repot the plant to a new container. Check the roots for any signs of damage. Provide optimal growing conditions with minimal stress in order for it to recover.
Why is my Anthurium warocqueanum dying?
It could be due to overwatering, underwatering, pests and diseases, and other stress-related factors. Such things could negatively affect the health of your queen anthurium.
Why is my Anthurium warocqueanum drooping?
The plant may be suffering from root rot caused by overwatering. It may also be caused by too much heat and lack of water, causing the plant to wilt.
How cold can Anthurium warocqueanum tolerate?
Anything that goes below 20°C (68°F) may bring harm to your Anthurium warocqueanum. This species is frost tender, so better watch the sudden changes in temperatures.
How to get rid of pests on Anthurium warocqueanum?
Spray them off with water, horticultural oil, or dishwashing liquid. You can also trim the heavily infested parts to avoid further spreading and damage to the plant.
Is Anthurium warocqueanum toxic to cats?
Yes. Calcium oxalates are present in the plant parts, which may cause irritation in the gastrointestinal tract. Keep your plant away from your cats to avoid trouble.
Is Anthurium warocqueanum toxic to dogs?
This plant is toxic to pets including dogs. They could easily develop symptoms after ingestion of any of the plant parts. Make sure to consult the vet.
Is Anthurium warocqueanum toxic to children?
Definitely, this species is toxic to children so beware. Keep it away from their reach. Warm them against the danger of messing with this plant.
Is Anthurium warocqueanum toxic to humans?
The answer is yes. This plant is toxic to humans and may cause serious health trouble. Be careful not to taste any of its parts.
Does Anthurium warocqueanum have a scent?
Anthurium warocqueanum doesn’t have any noticeable scent, not the flowers nor the foliage. So, it’s basically safe to those who are sensitive to strong odor.