Anthurium Scherzerianum
Welcome to our guide to Anthurium Scherzerianum care and propagation, all you need to know to get the best out of this plant, including soil, water, light and humidity needs.
Anthurium Scherzerianum Care Summary
| Light needs: | Bright indirect sunlight. |
| Watering needs: | Check soil each week and let them almost dry out before watering again. |
| Fertilizer: | A high phosphorous fertilizer every 3 or 4 weeks in spring and summer. |
| Soil: | Mix of orchid bark, perlite and normal compost (Anthurium Soil). |
| Humidity: | 50%. |
| Temperature: | 18°C-25°C (64-77°F). |
| Where to buy: | Try our list of Rare Plant Shops. |
| Other names: | Flamingo flowers. |
| Common issues: | Root rot from overwatering. |
Introduction
The Anthurium Scherzerianum is known for it’s bright red flowers, it’s a ‘flamingo flower’ anthurium, known for its curly spadix that differentiates it from the normal red anthurium, the Anthurium Andraeanum. They grow in the wild in Costa Rica.
See also: Anthurium Soil, Anthurium Balaoanum Care, Anthurium Metallicum Care, Anthurium Splendidum Care, Anthurium Villenaorum, Anthurium Crystallinum Black, Anthurium Forgetii Care, Anthurium Plowmanii, Anthurium Regale, Anthurium Wendlingeri Care.
Tip: we recommend Etsy for buying plants. Look for the best rated seller you can, and try to buy as close to your home as possible so the plant does not travel too far.
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Anthurium Scherzerianum Light Needs
Medium to bright indirect sunlight is ideal. The bright the better to encourage flowering.
How Often To Water
Check the soil each week and let them almost dry out before watering again. What I would do is tip the water out after watering that collects in the saucer or tray at the bottom of the plant.
Tip: water them thoroughly, but then let them almost dry out before watering again. They can get yellow leaves and root rot from sitting in wet soil for too long. You want the soil to be moist but not soaking or dry.
Fertilizer
Use a high phosphorous fertilizer during the spring and summer to help the plant flower. Feed them every 3 or 4 weeks in the warmer months.
Anthurium Scherzerianum Soil
They need a well draining, chunky but rich mix. Use mix of orchid bark, perlite and normal compost. For more on making or buying anthurium soil see our guide here: Anthurium Soil.
When to Repot
Check them in Spring and pot them up a size if the roots are starting to get crowded. You want them to have space to grow as it gets warmer.
Humidity
50% or more is ideal. They can get crispy or brown leaves if the air dries out.
Tip: Keep them humid, at least 50% in the day and they’ll be ok with a bit less at night. You can buy a humidity meter (affiliate link) to keep an eye on maximum and minimum levels.
Temperature
Aim for 18°C-25°C (64-77°F) in the day and above 10°C (50°F) at night or in the winter.
How to Propagate Anthurium Scherzerianum
The best way to propagate them is by separation at the base as they tend to spread out and widen to the size of the pot. So wait until they grow large enough and have spread out, and then take them out of the pot, divide the plants up and pot them up separately.
Is It Toxic To Cats?
It is toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, so seek vets advice if your pet may have eaten any.
Why Anthurium Scherzerianum Not Flowering?
They need plenty of light to flower, give them as much indirect sunlight as you can. The brighter the better.
Is Anthurium Scherzerianum Poisonous?
They are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, so avoid it, and if your pet does eat it, then contact a vet.
How Big Do They Grow?
They a re fairly compact in the growth an reach maturity in about 2 to 4 years, and will be any where between 10 and 50cm height (4 to to inches) and the same width (10-50 cms).
Is It Rare?
They are rare than other red anthuriums but you can buy them online, including at Etsy so they are available.
Anthurium Scherzerianum var Rothschildianum
This is a much rarer version with a white or light pink flower and small red dots called the anthurium scherzerianum rothschildianum, which is much harder to come by.
Other Names
Pigtail plant. The are sometimes called ‘flamingo flowers’ although the more popular Anthurium Andraeanum also goes by that name.
Where To Buy
Try our list of Rare Plant Shops.
FAQs and Common Problems
The biggest issue with them is root rot from overwatering, make sure you let them almost dry out before watering them again, especially when the temperatures drop at the end of summer and they need less water.
Additional Resources
Links:
- More info on the Wikipedia page.
- More info on the Kew Gardens plant Page.
- More info on the RHS plant Page.
Other Articles You Might Like
There you have it, here ends our guide to this beautiful plant. You might also like our other articles:
Anthurium Soil, Anthurium Balaoanum Care, Anthurium Metallicum Care, Anthurium Splendidum Care, Anthurium Villenaorum.
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