Anthurium regale × luxurians

Peruvian regale crossed with Colombian luxurians

This horticultural hybrid combines Anthurium regale, a terrestrial velvet leaf from humid Peruvian forest around the Huallaga drainage, with Anthurium luxurians, which grows on the floor of extremely wet forest in western Colombia. Their cultivated seedlings unite two terrestrial forest backgrounds with very different mature surfaces.

Care for Anthurium roots and climbing growth

• Support and watering: Support the heavy foliage and rinse the textured surface gently, drying the crown afterwards. Begin with a stable pot and move to a wider container if the stem starts spreading.
• Light: Give medium to bright filtered light. Strong midday sun can mark the raised leaf surface and overheat the root zone.
• Watering: Keep moisture even, watering when the upper layer of the substrate begins to dry. Drain fully while a new textured leaf is opening.
• Humidity and airflow: Aim for high humidity with gentle airflow over the recessed veins and crown.
• Substrate and repotting: During acclimation, keep Anthurium regale × luxurians in its nursery pot while you compare pot weight before and after watering and watch the well-aerated root zone and emerging foliage; repot after active roots make its drying rhythm predictable. Repot later into a snug pot with fine bark, coir, coco chips and pumice or perlite.

Root, stem and leaf problems in Anthurium regale × luxurians

• Wilting above a wet or dry root ball: A root ball that has lost most of its weight with a dry upper root zone and flexible leaf indicates thirst; give the root zone a complete soak followed by free drainage. A root ball that stays heavy and damp with damp mix, yellow soft growth or a sour smell indicates root failure; leave the watering can aside and inspect the roots and exposed stem.
• Root loss and a stable crown: Healthy tissue holds its shape at both roots and stem; softness is the sign that requires action. Trim only slippery, hollow or blackened roots using clean scissors reserved for plant work, then use a snug aerated pot and keep the short stem at the surface.
• Insects and mites in protected creases: Black specks beside silver new-leaf scars suggest thrips; fine stippling in the recesses is more typical of mites. Use a hand lens to inspect recesses, undersides and the central growth point. Isolate, rinse hardened foliage, use a product that lists the pest on its label, continue treatment at the interval stated on the product and
• Long gaps between new leaves: Weak light often reduces the speed and size of the next leaf; wait for root activity before changing the routine again. Use steady filtered light and warm roots within 21–28 °C; judge improvement from new tissue.
• Tip burn and mineral build-up: Crisp margins may appear after a missed watering or salts concentrated during drying. Check pot weight, restore an even watering rhythm and flush with low-mineral water; new damage in a damp pot makes root health the next check.

Anthurium regale × 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.

What do the names Anthurium regale and Anthurium luxurians mean, and who first published them?

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

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

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