Anthurium pedatoradiatum (‘Fingers’)

A terrestrial species from southern Mexico

Anthurium pedatoradiatum is native to Veracruz, Tabasco and Chiapas in southern Mexico. It grows terrestrially in tropical forest from near sea level to about 1,000 m, rooting in the organic ground layer beneath filtered canopy light. ‘Fingers’ is a descriptive horticultural name for the divided mature leaves, not a separate wild provenance.

Growing Anthurium indoors

• Substrate and repotting: During acclimation, keep Anthurium pedatoradiatum (‘Fingers’) in its nursery pot while you compare pot weight before and after watering and watch the moist but aerated terrestrial root zone; repot after active roots make its drying rhythm predictable. Later, use a snug pot and a mineral-rich, fast-draining mix of pumice, fine bark and coco coir.
• Light: Give bright filtered light; acclimated plants can receive mild morning or evening sun. Keep them away from hot midday glass.
• Watering: Water thoroughly, then let roughly the upper third of the mix dry before watering again. Short drying intervals suit the aerated roots; water again before the whole root ball dries.
• Humidity and airflow: A range of moderate to high humidity is usually sufficient when air moves freely around the plant and wet leaves dry promptly.
• Feeding: Apply a dilute complete fertiliser during root and leaf growth. If Anthurium pedatoradiatum (‘Fingers’) keeps producing roots or leaves under lower light, continue feeding lightly; reduce or pause when growth stops, and flush the mineral mix with plain water occasionally.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Anthurium pedatoradiatum (‘Fingers’)

• Leaf softness, colour and pot weight: Use moisture below the surface to decide when water is due. A clear drop in pot weight with a dry deeper root zone and flexible leaves indicates excessive drying; soak fully. Persistent moisture below the dry surface, together with limp yellow growth, calls for a root check.
• Root decline and repotting decisions: A buried stem and dense mix can quickly reduce root aeration. Remove hollow or slippery roots using a disinfected blade for each cut, return firm roots to a snug mineral-aerated mix and resume watering only as the upper third dries.
• Pest activity around emerging leaves: Inspect pale speckling for mites and black-specked new-leaf scars for thrips; scale gathers at petiole bases. Isolate, identify the pest with magnification, use an approved houseplant treatment for the pest, let the product label set the repeat interval and inspect both leaf surfaces after treatment.
• Leaf-edge damage from drying or salts: Crisp margins may develop after an overlong dry interval or salt accumulation. Use the centre of the mix to time the next soak; water fully with low-mineral water and return to the usual drying rhythm.
• Dry surface marks and wet spots: Dry tan scorch can remain unchanged, while water-soaked or yellow-edged marks can spread. Keep splashes away from a spreading lesion and mark the edge and check if it expands.

Anthurium pedatoradiatum (‘Fingers’) 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.

Where does the name Anthurium pedatoradiatum come from?

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. The epithet pedatoradiatum combines a reference to a foot-like form with radiating divisions, describing the mature leaf.

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

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott first described Anthurium pedatoradiatum in 1859 in Bonplandia (Hannover), volume 7, page 337.