Anthurium arisaemoides

Wet Andean forest from Ecuador to Bolivia

Anthurium arisaemoides is native from Ecuador through Peru to western Bolivia. Field descriptions record it most often as a low terrestrial herb, growing in dense understory stands on soil, moss and organic material around the bases of trees; it can also occur as an epiphytic creeper. Its wet tropical forest habitat is humid and sheltered, with frequent moisture and an aerated root zone across more than one rooting position.

Care for epiphytic Anthurium roots and foliage

• Mixed rooting habit and propagation: Keep the low terrestrial base secure and allow any creeping aerial roots to enter the pot or a small mossed support instead of trimming them. Rinse the leaves gently and propagate from rooted offsets or a stem section with a live node.
• Watering: Water when the surface has dried but the centre of the pot is still slightly moist. Soak fully and allow free drainage through the aerated root zone, whether the plant is rooted terrestrially or producing creeping aerial roots.
• Humidity and airflow: Maintain moderate to high humidity with light air circulation. Dry new leaves promptly and keep fresh air moving around them.
• Substrate and repotting: Leave Anthurium arisaemoides in its nursery medium until fresh roots are active; repot when the old mix no longer drains evenly. Use a close-fitting ventilated pot with bark, coco chips and pumice, adding a little coir for moisture retention.
• Feeding: Feed the active terrestrial and aerial root system with a weak complete fertiliser during growth. Water through with plain water occasionally to clear salts from bark and root surfaces.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Anthurium arisaemoides

• Sorting thirst from root stress: A pot that lifts easily, dry open mix and shrivelled aerial roots indicate thirst; rehydrate the full root ball and remove standing water. A pot that remains heavy, damp compacted mix and yellow limp leaves indicate poor root aeration; hold off on the next watering and inspect the roots.
• Firm tissue during root recovery: Healthy exposed roots remain firm as their surface colour changes. Remove hollow or slippery roots with disinfected scissors, keep the stem above a coarse close-fitting mix and guide active aerial roots into the pot or support.
• Pest checks around active growth: Thrips scar soft new leaves; mealybugs look cottony at nodes and root junctions. Isolate, remove visible pests, treat every hiding place with a product labelled for the pest, follow the product label and
• Slow growth after a root setback: Weak light can slow new growth even while aerial roots remain active. Use medium to bright filtered light and keep the plant in intermediate, well-ventilated conditions while it recovers; avoid sustained heat and keep exposed roots off cold glass.
• Tip damage after irregular watering: Brown tips can come from rapid drying or mineral-rich water. Compare pot weight with the condition of exposed roots, then give the root zone a complete soak followed by free drainage.

Anthurium arisaemoides is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Who first published Anthurium arisaemoides, and what does the name mean?

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. Arisaemoides means “resembling Arisaema”, another aroid genus.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Anthurium in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 828.

Michael T. Madison first described Anthurium arisaemoides in 1978 in Selbyana, volume 2, issue 23, page 249.