Anthurium regale

Natural range and habitat of Anthurium regale

Anthurium regale is native to north-eastern Peru, including the wider Huallaga and upper Amazon region. It grows as a terrestrial subshrub in wet tropical forest, rooted in moist, open organic material.

Care for Anthurium regale

• New-leaf clearance: Leave every emerging leaf clear space and avoid moving the plant repeatedly until the leaf has hardened.
• Light: Give the crown broad, bright filtered light so a soft expanding leaf receives even exposure.
• Humidity and airflow: Aim for 60–80% humidity with gentle airflow around the crown.
• Temperature: Growth is well suited to 20–28 °C, keeping it clear of prolonged chilling below 15 °C.
• Water: Keep the potting mix lightly moist, watering as the upper layer begins to dry and draining the pot fully.
• Pot and potting mix: Choose a stable pot that closely fits the root ball. Use fine to medium bark, a fibrous material that holds moisture and pumice.
• Support: Add a stake only if mature stems or heavy growth begin to lean.
• Repotting cue: Give the clump a wider container when either the root system or new growth from the base begin pressing for space.
• Feeding: Use a modest feed while new leaves and roots are being made. Reduce feeding as growth slows.
• Propagation: For propagation, use a rooted basal shoot or a healthy section of stem with an active growing point.

Problems during large-leaf growth

• A new leaf stalls, creases or tears: Changing conditions or contact with an obstruction may have affected the soft blade. Keep moisture and temperature even, then clear more opening space for the next leaf.
• Margins brown on both old and new foliage: Check root moisture, water quality and fertiliser build-up before changing humidity. If the root zone is drying unevenly, water the full root ball and keep the next intervals consistent. If water quality or fertiliser residue matches the damage, flush the substrate with plain water and reduce the strength of future feeds.
• New growth develops silver scars or black specks: This pattern can be consistent with thrips feeding on soft growth. Check the papery sheaths around new growth and the leaf underside. If you confirm thrips, quarantine the plant and rinse hardened foliage. Apply a treatment labelled for thrips to the new growth, sheaths and leaf undersides, then repeat it at the intervals stated on the label for the full course.
• The crown pulls the pot to one side: Use a broader, heavier container and turn the plant gradually for more even light.

Anthurium regale 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.

How the name Anthurium regale came about

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. The epithet regale is Latin for royal.

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

Jean Jules Linden first described Anthurium regale in 1866 in La Belgique Horticole, volume 16, page 200.