Anthurium radicans x luxurians

A cross between two terrestrial forest species

This cultivated hybrid combines Anthurium radicans, a creeping ground plant of Brazil’s humid Atlantic Forest, with Anthurium luxurians, a terrestrial understory species from very wet western Colombian forest. Both parents root in shaded organic surface layers, although they come from different regions. The breeder and first introduction of the listed cross are not publicly documented.

Growing Anthurium indoors

• Light: Provide bright filtered light, keeping the low-growing leaves away from direct midday sun.
• Watering: Keep the mix lightly moist and water when the surface begins to dry. Direct water into the substrate while keeping the exposed stem aerated.
• Humidity and airflow: Maintain high humidity with gentle airflow across the creeping stem and leaf undersides.
• Substrate and repotting: Wait for fresh roots or a new leaf before repotting Anthurium radicans × luxurians after delivery. Use a close-fitting, well-aerated mix and keep the creeping stem at or just above the surface.
• Spreading stem and propagation: Give the radicans-influenced stem room to spread and keep each rooted node in contact with the surface. Propagate from a rooted section carrying a viable growth point.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Anthurium radicans x luxurians

• Yellow leaves or a sudden droop: Use the moisture beneath each rooted section to interpret wilting in this hybrid. A dry light pot with flexible leaves needs a complete soak; a heavy pot with soft yellow growth or a dark node needs drying and inspection before more water.
• Root texture and recovery: Keep every firm node that has pale active roots. Check each rooted section separately because one node can fail while the rest remain firm. Trim only soft or hollow root tissue using a blade cleaned before every cut, hold the stem at the surface and leave space ahead of any section that begins to spread.
• Pests on soft new growth: Thrips scar soft new leaves, mites stipple the recessed surface and mealybugs can hide beneath rooted nodes. Inspect leaf hollows and the complete stem. Isolate, clean hardened foliage, treat the pest with a labelled product and follow its repeat interval while checking new growth weekly.
• Crisp tips and dry margins: Crisp edges may record fast drying in a shallow pot or salt accumulation. Check the whole pot, water evenly from end to end and flush with low-mineral water while preserving drainage around the exposed stem.
• Fixed marks or spreading lesions: Dry fixed marks may record contact or sun. Wet or yellow-edged lesions that expand need isolation, dry foliage; keep water away from the exposed rhizome.

Anthurium radicans x luxurians 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.

The meaning and history of the names Anthurium radicans and Anthurium luxurians

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. The epithet radicans means rooting or producing roots and refers to stems that can root at their nodes. The epithet luxurians is Latin for luxuriant or abundant.

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

Karl Heinrich Emil Koch and Friedrich Adolph Haage first described Anthurium radicans in 1855 in Index Seminum of the Berlin Botanic Garden, volume 1854, issue appendix, page 10.

Thomas Bernard Croat and Richard N. Cirino first described Anthurium luxurians in 2005 in Aroideana, volume 28, page 56.