Anthurium 'Queen of Hearts'

A distinctive line from the Silver Krome programme

Accounts from Silver Krome Gardens connect Anthurium ‘Queen of Hearts’ with tissue-cultured material originally associated with ‘Ace of Spades’. The line appears to have arisen through seed-derived material or an unexpected plant within that programme, then gained its own identity through broad dark leaves and warm new growth. Its exact parents and the original wild source behind the material remain unrecorded, making the Florida programme the firm starting point for its history.

Care for Anthurium ‘Queen of Hearts’

• Light: Place in bright filtered light. Acclimated plants can take gentle morning or evening sun; hot midday light can mark the velvet surface.
• Watering: Water when the upper 1–2 cm of substrate begins to dry. Soak the root ball evenly, drain it fully and keep the moisture rhythm steady while a leaf is expanding.
• Humidity and airflow: Aim for 65–80% relative humidity with gentle air movement. Dry water from the leaf surface promptly.
• Temperature: Keep at 20–28 °C, with the root zone above 18 °C. Protect the plant from cold glass, draughts and sudden temperature drops.
• Substrate and repotting: Give Anthurium ‘Queen of Hearts’ a stable acclimation period in the nursery pot, mapping drainage and moisture loss around the fine-rooted velvet-leaf root ball; a fresh root tip or uninterrupted leaf cycle is the useful signal for repotting. Later, use a pot only 2–3 cm wider and a fine, open mix of coco coir or peat, small bark and pumice or perlite.
• Feeding: Feed with a dilute complete fertiliser while the plant is producing leaves and roots. Continue at a lower rate whenever light and active growth slow, then return to the normal rate with fresh roots or a new leaf and flush the substrate with plain water every 4–6 weeks.
• Broad leaves and propagation: Keep broad leaves from pressing against glass or neighbouring pots while they expand. Dust the surface with a soft dry brush and propagate from rooted offsets or node-bearing stem sections.

Yellowing, root problems and pressure marks

• Moisture clues behind a droop: Limp leaves with a light dry pot show that the roots need water; water slowly through the pot, then empty all runoff. Soft yellow leaves while the pot remains damp point to poor root aeration; hold the next watering while you inspect the root zone. Natural leaf loss usually begins with a single blade at the base.
• Roots losing structure: Keep roots that feel firm and look cream or tan; minor surface staining is less important than firmness. Cut away roots that are brown, slippery or hollow with a sterile tool; use a close-fitting container and keep the fresh mix lightly moist. Before cutting Anthurium ‘Queen of Hearts’, photograph the root system and confirm failure by texture; preserve every firm section, sterilise the tool between cuts and keep the crown stable while new roots develop.
• Brown edges after moisture swings: Crisp tips after a light pot may appear after an uneven watering cycle. If edges brown while the mix is still moist, check salts, hot glass and root condition; move the leaf away from heat, flush the mix and inspect roots if damage continues.
• Dark leaf marks after sun or contact: Rubbing, dried droplets and sun usually leave dry marks with a stable edge; compare the same area again the next day. A wet mark that advances from the margin with a yellow edge is urgent; move the plant away from others, stop splashing and seek advice if the edge keeps moving.
• Reduced leaf size and slow roots: Weak light can stall growth even when moisture looks correct; look for new root activity before expecting another leaf. Return the plant to bright filtered light and 20–28 °C; wait for new root or leaf activity before changing feeding.
• Pests under leaves and inside sheaths: Silver scars, black specks and distorted new leaves point to thrips; a dull field of tiny pale dots points more strongly to mites. Study the undersides and the papery sheath around the newest leaf; repeat the inspection on neighbouring leaves. Move the plant away from the collection and treat both leaf surfaces with a product labelled for the pest. Continue treatment at the interval stated on the product then review treated hiding places once a week for the next month.
• Pressure marks: Broad leaves can bruise where they press against glass or another pot. Reposition the plant before a new leaf opens and use the stability of the mark to distinguish bruising from an active lesion.

Anthurium ‘Queen of Hearts’ and pet safety

• Not pet-safe. This plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause immediate pain and irritation if chewed.

The name Anthurium ‘Queen of Hearts’

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Litteratur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 828.

‘Queen of Hearts’ draws on the playing-card name and the cultivar’s thick heart-shaped blades. The regal wording also suits the shift from pink, chocolate or burgundy new growth to very dark mature foliage.