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Nicknamed the King Anthurium (or just “The King”) for its jaw-droppingly large foliage, it’s not to be confused with the Queen Anthurium (which is Anthurium Warocqueanum).
Read on for everything you need to know about caring for Anthurium Veitchii. Plus, how to easily propagate this stunning plant!
Where can I buy an Anthurium Veitchii?
Finding one of these plants at your local greenhouse might be tough, but you can easily find an Anthurium Veitchii for sale on Etsy! Check out this Veitchii from one of my favorite Etsy shops!
Is Anthurium Veitchii easy to care for?
Anthurium Veitchii is relatively simple to care for. The only “issue” is that they grow at such a slow rate. They look magnificent in photos, but it will take a while for the plant to get that way.
For that reason, I’d recommend this plant only if you have the patience for it!
How do you grow Anthurium Veitchii?
Anthurium Veitchii is an epiphyte native to the tropical environment of Colombia. This anthurium is relatively easy to grow! Its basic care requirements are the following:
- Provide with bright, indirect light
- Keep consistently moist
- Pot in a loose and well-draining potting mix that holds some moisture
Read on for the full care guide!
How much light does Anthurium Veitchii need?
Anthurium Veitchii needs bright, indirect light. Do not put this plant in direct sunlight. This could seriously damage the leaves that take so long to grow in the first place!
Lacking natural light? Grow lights are an excellent solution.
This is my absolute favorite grow light. It’s so convenient to be able to clip anywhere and easily reposition the two necks of the lights. My plants love this light, too!
How often do you water Anthurium Veitchii?
Anthurium Veitchii likes to be consistently moist. It’s very important to understand that MOIST does not mean WET.
So, instead of wondering “how often” and watering on a set schedule, you should feel the soil with your finger to determine when your plant needs water. Water it when the top inch or two of the soil is dry.
Do anthuriums like to be misted?
Growing in tropical environments, Anthuriums love humidity, but misting is generally not the most effective way to provide humidity for your plant.
I find using a humidifier to be more foolproof and helpful for my plants. Plus, it’s lower maintenance to use a humidifier rather than always having to mist your plants.
Here is one humidifier I’ve used that my plants really love!
Temperature
Anthurium Veitchii is happiest in a range of around 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (about 16 to 27 degrees Celcius).
However, don’t stress about making sure you have the temperature exactly right—your average household temperature is most likely fine! Just keep this plant away from cold areas in the winter.
What kind of potting mix does Anthurium Veitchii need?
As an epiphyte, Anthurium Veitchii likes a loose and well-draining potting mix that still holds some moisture. This means the mix will remain somewhat moist, but the majority of the water should be able to drain out.
To accomplish this, you can use a mixture of about one part orchid bark, one part perlite, and two parts indoor plant potting mix. Alternatively, you could purchase an aroid potting mix.
Fertilizer
Use a general houseplant fertilizer once a month during the growing season (the spring and summer).
Repotting
Anthurium Veitchii is a very slow grower and therefore doesn’t need to be repotted often. Repot this plant around every three years.
They like some rootbound-ness but don’t let the situation get out of control. Common signs of a rootbound plant are roots coming out of the drainage holes, lots of roots swirling around the inside bottom of the pot, and stunted growth.
Since the leaves grow to be so long, larger plants would do well in a hanging basket or on a taller plant stand. But this is up to you!
Use a pot the next size up from its current pot and make sure it has drainage holes. Repot during the growing season (spring and summer).
Pruning
Anthurium Veitchii doesn’t require too much pruning. Just remove any dead leaves by cutting them off at the base with a pair of clean, sharp scissors.
Cleaning the leaves
Occasionally wiping down leaves is a good habit to get into—especially for plants with very large leaves that easily collect dust. Keeping the leaves clean will help your plant photosynthesize more effectively.
This isn’t something to worry about doing all the time, though.
Every few weeks or when you notice dust and grime build-up on the leaves, gently wipe them down with a damp cloth, supporting the underside of the leaf as you do so.
Foliage and Blooms
Anthurium Veitchii is easily recognized by its very long and narrow, rippled leaves.
It occasionally produces a spathe and spadix bloom. But, the bloom is not very attractive and the plants are grown for beautiful leaves, not for their blooms.
Want this plant in your collection? Get it here!
How fast does Anthurium Veitchii grow?
This plant is a very slow grower. It can take a new leaf three months to grow! BUT, if you’re willing to wait, the payoff can be huge. The Veitchii is truly a showstopper—there’s a reason they call it The King!
Yes, it will take years, but the leaves will eventually reach two to six feet long! (Although usually six-foot-long leaves only happen in the wild.)
Common Problems and Pests
Some common Anthurium Veitchii problems with potential causes include:
- Yellow leaves – This is often caused by overwatering, underwatering, or too much light. Remember to keep it out of direct light and keep the potting mix moist, not wet. Always feel the mix before your water.
- Root rot – Caused by consistently overwatering your plant. This is why it’s so improtant to feel for moisture before you water!
- Brown and crispy leaves – Your plant is most likely too dry. Make sure you’re keeping it lightly moist at all times. And, if you have very dry air, you might want to try increasing the humidity, too.
- Note that root rot from OVERwatering also sometimes causes brown, crispy leaves because the plant can no longer take up water through its damaged roots.
- Pests – While Anthurium Veitchii is not particulary susceptible to pests, the hazard is always there with any houseplant. Potential pests include spider mites, mealybugs, scale, thrips, and whiteflies.
- For general pest prevention and control, I really like Bonide Systemic Houseplant Insect Control. I always add this into the potting mix when I get a new plant. Follow the instructions on the label and use caution around pets and kids.
How to propagate Anthurium Veitchii
Propagating Anthurium Veitchii through Division
This is the easiest and quickest way to “make” another Anthurium. Division is done by simply dividing two or more plants growing in the same pot.
Gently slip the entire plant out of its pot and identify a piece with its own root system. Make sure the piece has at least one leaf, but the more, the better.
Separate the root systems with your hands and do your best not to damage the roots. If you can’t separate them by hand, use a pair of clean, sharp scissors to cut the roots away from each other. Try to keep most of them as intact as possible, though.
Pot up the newly divided plants into appropriately sized pots with good drainage—you don’t want to give each now-smaller plant too big of a pot because it could lead to overwatering.
That’s it! Give the plants a good watering and then care for them how you normally would.
Keep in mind the mother plant and any newly divided plants will probably go through a period of shock and will not start growing again right away.
Propagating Anthurium Veitchii with cuttings
Instead of division, you can propagate your plant with a cutting from a mature plant. In my opinion, propagation with cuttings is a lot more exciting, but it takes longer and it’s a little more complicated.
A stem is a good candidate for propagating if it’s established, healthy, and has at least one leaf (but more leaves are ideal).
A stem that already has some aerial roots will also increase your success rate, although it’s not necessary.
Find a stem and follow it down to find where it’s growing out from the node. Use a clean, sharp knife to cut off the stem below its node, so the node is included on the cutting.
It’s very important to include the node on the cutting because that’s where new growth comes from. Place the cutting into moistened potting mix or sphagnum moss—whatever you prefer.
Put it in bright, indirect light, and keep the potting medium moist (NOT wet) and the humidity high as the roots develop.
Note that you might need to provide your cutting with some support as the roots develop depending on how large it is.
After a month or so, give your cutting a very gentle tug to check for resistance. If you feel some resistance, that means a root system has developed and you can start to care for it like a normal plant.
Additional Information
Is Anthurium Veitchii rare?
Yes, this Anthurium is considered rare. That, coupled with the fact that they take so long to grow to their full, magnificent size means these plants can be pricey.
Purchasing an Anthurium Veitchii seedling, cutting, or younger plant might be more appealing price-wise, but you’ll have to be willing to wait years for it to fully grow.
Is an anthurium a good indoor plant?
Yes, anthuriums are excellent indoor plants. They are very unique and a beautiful way to bring the magic of the rainforest inside.
If you live in the right climate (they are native to Colombia) you can grow anthuriums outdoors, too!
Is Anthurium Veitchii toxic?
Yes, Anthurium Veitchii is toxic. Be sure to keep this plant far out of reach of pets and kids.
Convinced that this is the plant for you? Buy it here!
Anthurium Veitchii Care Summary
- Provide with bright, indirect light
- Keep consistently moist
- Use a humidifier or another method to provide extra humidity
- Keep temperature between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (about 16 to 27 degrees Celcius)
- Pot in a loose and well-draining potting mix that holds some moisture
- Use a general houseplant fertilizer once a month during the growing season
- Repot around every three years
- Remove dead foliage
- Occasionally wipe down the leaves to keep them clean
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