Anthurium Papillilaminum Plant Care

We love Anthurium species as they make for gorgeous indoor plants. Now, if you want rare plants in the same species that also work well as houseplants, we recommend the Anthurium papillilaminum.

These tropical plants gathered with other species bring a bright yet happy atmosphere to any home garden. So, if you can get your hands on this beauty, Anthurium, count yourself lucky as they are very scarce.

More About This Anthurium Plant 

The attractive tropical plant has a long, fascinating history, my friends. The exciting plant comes from Panama, collected by Elaine Spear. The first publication of the plant took placed by Dr. Thomas B. Croat, a botanist, and curator of Botany of the Missouri Botanical Garden, in 1983 in St. Louis.

The above resulted in botanists giving the beautiful species the name Anthurium papillilaminum Croat. Based on the information provided, the leaves and petiole stand erect supporting leaf blades measuring 13.4 inches in length.

The fascinating thing is a subterete petiole that is less than round. The leaves are less leathery and dark olive green, tinged with a red-to-violet tint. Now, another exciting thing is the geniculum allows the foliage to orientate itself to the light, and you notice the violet-red tinge.

Like other Anthurium plants like the Anthurium magnificum, it has velvety leaves. But the veins do not have a whitish tint and run from the first basal vein but do not encircle the leaf. Also, reproduction takes place through inflorescence.

The stalk supports the inflorescence you call the peduncle, and when in flower, it contains both male and female parts growing on the spadix in the middle. But remember, the spathe is not a flower but a modified leaf. Peculiar isn’t it?

When grown as an outdoor plant and pollinated, you notice berries containing two seeds. In addition, you see a green yet purple-red tinge on the spathe, and turns black while the spadix remains yellow to green.

Anthurium Papillilaminum Care

Anthurium papillilaminum @ rocknrolljungle

Great, we hope you found the information available for this plant enjoyable. So without further due let’s start taking care of these houseplants.

Now that we have taken care of the basics concerning your exotic plant, let’s look a bit deeper into each of the categories to ensure you provide proper care to keep it flourishing.

Best Soil Mix for Anthurium Plants 

Now, friends, one thing your Anthurium plants need is a drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. In addition, the soil needs to be well-draining to balance over and underwater your plant.

The potting soil for these loving tropical plants that drain well prevents water from sitting in the ground.

To provide a perfect balance of aeration and moisture, use sphagnum peat moss, perlite, charcoal, and mulch.

Best Lighting Condition For Those Magnificent Leaves 

Bright indirect light is of utmost importance for your new plants as it originates from tropical climates and thrives in bright light. Still, they thrive under the canopy of other trees as direct sunlight damages the leaves.

Anthurium papillilaminum lighting

Now, to find a perfect spot for your houseplants, we recommend an east or north-facing window as a west-facing window has too much direct sunlight. Also, if you do artificial light, do not place your plant right under them.

Another great thing is your plant does not need much light in winter as it goes dormant.

Watering Needs To Have The Most Magnificent Leaves

Like the flamingo lily and other complex types of plants such as Anthurium, your plant needs to be kept hydrated. To thrive, it needs moist soil during the growing season. It does not require much watering during the winter months as the cold air keeps the ground moist.

When underwater, you will notice the leaves withering and looking unhealthy. If left for too long, your Anthurium will die, going to plant heaven leaving you sad. Still, if you overwater, the same happens as your plant can die as it gets root rot.

Thus, we recommend constantly feeling the top layer of the ground, and if moist, leave it alone, but if dry, go ahead and quench its thirst.

Temperature & Humidity

The best temperature for these tropical plants is between 65 to 75 degrees F. If you grow your Anthurium papillilaminum outdoors, we recommend bringing them in from the cold as they are not frost-resistant.

Your plant thrives in indirect sunlight in a humid environment as they crave moisture. If your home does not have high moisture levels, you invest in a humidifier. Or you can use a pebble tray to provide it with everything it needs.

But remember gardeners, do not let your Anthurium sit in the water, and make sure the waterline remains only on the pebbles.

Fertilizing Anthurium Plants 

organic liquid fertilizer

Your Anthurium loves feeding using a 20-7-20 liquid or granular fertilizer. Providing your plant with high phosphorus gives you gorgeous blooms and new growth. The best time to feed is in the growing season of spring and summer.

We recommend a half-strength as you do not want to cause burns on your plant. When using a slow-release feed, you can apply it once in the growing season. While a liquid feed, you can do monthly but always check to see how your plant responds.

Compared to other species, this one enjoys a feed-in winter once to help provide it with all the nutrients while in its dormant stage.

Propagation of Anthurium

The University of Maine recommends two propagation methods using stem cuttings & root division. Check them out below:

Stem Cuttings 

  1. It helps if you had a quality stem cutting of at least three inches in length. Cut below a leaf node with two leaves attached.
  2. Next, leave the stem cutting to cure in a warm environment for a week.
  3. Great, while waiting for the cutting to cure, you can prepare your pot with plant material to have it ready for planting. Make sure the excess water drains through the holes when wetting the soil.
  4. After a week, plant your exotic plant using a finger to make a hole a few inches deep and place it into the hole. Pack the ground around the base and tie a straw to it if it does not want to remain standing upright.
  5. Place your plant in indirect light and wait until you see a new leaf on it to know it has developed roots.

Root Division 

  • Using this method is excellent when the time comes to replant your mother plant. First, remove the plant and gently run water over the roots to clear the ground.
  • Next, divide the roots carefully and place the separated roots on a towel to dry for 24 hours.
  • Prepare fresh potting soil with enough drainage holes.
  • Take the roots and plant them into separate pots with new soil.
  • Keep the plantlets hydrated and provide them with indirect sunlight.

Growth Zone

Growing your Anthurium plants is recommended in USDA hardiness zones 11 to 12. But as mentioned, your tropical beauty is not cold hardy if you live in colder zones and are best grown indoors.

Potting Anthurium 

The best time to transplant your Anthurium plants is in springtime, and it can take up to two years before it outgrows its pot. Yet, if you notice the roots poking out the drainage holes, it is time to provide your greenery with a new home.

Your plant enjoys living root-bound, and best to give it a bigger pot than the one it has.

Anthurium Varieties 

Anthurium magnificum

Anthurium magnificum

The plant has a similar design as your Anthurium papillilaminum, but it belongs to the Philodendron family. It has large leathery leaves with dark green to bright white veins. You can find that some of the foliage has a coppery tint shining in the light.

It also has distinctly winged petioles that are C-shaped or four-sided.

Anthurium superbum

anthurium superbum

The Birds Nest plant grows in a rosette form with broad pointed leaves making your home look like a mini-forest next to your Anthurium papillilaminum.

Anthurium crystallinum

Anthurium crystallinum

The plant is a slow grower, and self-heading growth takes up lateral space. Furthermore, they thrive in moderate temperatures, and you can grow them in the ground or use them as background covers.

Anthurium clarinervium

Anthurium clarinervium

The tropical plant has heart-shaped dark green lobed leaves with white veins.

Anthurium veitchii

anthurium veitchii @1pink1plants

The king Anthurium grows humungous leaves up to six feet long. The foliage also looks a bit corrugated.

Anthurium Papillilaminum Diseases & Pests

Bringing new plants to your home, helps if you check them out for disease and pests. Thus we recommend placing your Anthurium away from other plants first. As with most greenery, your vegetation can get sick or infested with insects.

  • Aphids are a common pest you can find on most plants and are very small. You see them in white, brown, or red color. These critters breed fast, sapping out the life of your plant.
  • Thrips can suck out the life of your plant, and some can even bite you. So when you shake your plant, you will notice them as they come out of hiding.
  • Spider mites are another plant-sucking insect and leave tiny webs behind.

The best way to treat all of these infestations is using neem oil by diluting it with water.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a beautiful plant with maroon to light green foliage and needs space to grow with indirect light and high humidity with airflow. It is also an Anthurium hybrid plant between the Anthurium papillilaminum and magnificum plants.

It is another Anthurium hybrid between the Anthurium papillilaminum and Anthurium crystallinum. The leaves are heart-shaped but look like the ace of spades on a playing card. The foliage is light green with white veins.

Your Anthurium papillilaminum is slow to the moderate grower, can outgrow its pot in two years, and loves being root-bound.

These rare plants can be challenging to find at a local garden center. But that does not mean you are not in luck in finding one. The excellent news is that Plantly can help you get this gorgeous tropical plant.

Whether you want to buy, sell, or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

Plantly Menu