Anthurium luxurians in pot

Credit: Jeffry Surianto

Anthurium luxurians leaf

Credit: William Coville

Anthurium luxurians with dark foliage

Credit: Earhly delights

Anthurium luxurians flower

Credit: William Coville

Anthurium luxurians, rare and delicate foliage

Anthurium luxurians was first described in 2005. Discovered in the rainforests of Colombia, this plant of the Araceae family has been of interest to enthusiasts and collectors ever since. The reason? Its uniquely coloured, raised foliage.

How to recognize Anthurium luxurians?

Anthurium luxurians is a herbaceous perennial with a bushy habit. It reaches 60 centimetres in height and 30 centimetres in width.

The short, thick green stems have red highlights. Brown cataphylls can sometimes be seen at their base.

Leaves are clustered at the top of the stem and hang from long, ribbed petioles. The leathery blades are crossed by raised veins. These give the foliage an embossed texture. Leaves start out light green. Their color darkens to almost black green. Blades measure between 6 and 25 centimetres long and 15 to 50 centimetres wide. Oval, they become increasingly lobed over time, eventually becoming heart-shaped.

The plant can flower all year round. It is then adorned with white or cream spathes. In the middle stands the green spadix.

Anthurium luxurians, like anthurium clarinervium, is a poisonous plant. Keep out of reach of young children and pets.

Our maintenance tips

Light, warmth and humidity are the secret to seeing your Anthurium luxurians flourish.

Watering

The plant should be watered when the surface of the root ball is dry (about one centimeter deep). Water with non-calcareous room-temperature water, such as rainwater or demineralized water.

To prevent root rot, never leave standing water in the saucer or at the bottom of the planter.

Spray

Spray foliage with non-calcareous water at room temperature. Fogging helps improve humidity, clean leaves and control pests.

Repotting

Every spring, repot your Anthurium luxurians to give it more space.

Re-pot in a perforated pot. It should be two or three centimeters wider than the plant.

At the bottom, place a bed of clay balls or gravel to promote drainage. You can cover with drainage felt so that the potting soil doesn't mix with the marbles. This avoids clogging the holes that facilitate water drainage.

Choose a light substrate such as orchid potting soil combined with perlite. You can also make a mixture of heather soil, sand, leaf compost and charcoal. Pour on a first layer of potting soil and plant your specimen. Then add substrate until you reach two or three centimetres below the rim of the pot.

Pack the soil lightly so as not to suffocate the roots. From the third day, when the roots have healed, start watering your plant.

Place your pot on a saucer filled with moist clay balls. The evaporation of the water will improve the hygrometry without risking root rot.

Fertilization

To promote the growth of your Anthurium luxurians, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.

Feed your Anthurium luxurians with a special liquid fertilizer for flowering plants.

Cleaning

The dust that accumulates on foliage hinders photosynthesis and the growth of your Anthurium luxurians. You can remove it with a damp cloth or clean sponge.

Prune

You can remove the yellowed leaves.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Remove the shoots that form at the base of the plant with their roots. Proceed delicately, with your hands or a clean knife, to avoid damaging the root system.

Place the rejects in a perforated pot. Pour clay balls or small pebbles into the bottom to form a drainage layer. Top up with light potting soil, such as orchid potting soil combined with perlite.

Wintering

A wintering period is essential for your Anthurium luxurians to flower again.

Install anthurium luxurians in a bright room where the temperature is between 15° and 18°. Choose a location away from draughts and direct sunlight.

During this period, stop fertilizing and reduce watering frequency.

Diseases / Threats

Red spiders

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Araceae - Araceae
Type	Anthurium - Anthurium
Species	Anthurium luxurians - Anthurium luxurians
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Half-shade
Substrats	Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Interior Herbaceous Flowery
Tag	Flowery
Origin	South America
Hardiness (USDA)	11a
Leaf color
Flower colors