Anthurium superbum, an easy to care for plant, is one of the best options for indoor decorations. Originating from Ecuador, the plant grows in a rosette format, a feature that has earned it the nickname Bird Nest Anthurium.
According to the University of West Indies, Anthuriums generally evolved from the tropical rainforests of Central and South America and the Caribbean.
One of the most interesting characteristics about it that makes me prefer it for indoor decorations is its uniqueness. I love its broad pointed leaves, which, if you are a nature lover like me, will make your house look like a beautiful mini-forest.
I intend to give you a concise but comprehensive overview of Anthurium superbum care, including the optimum conditions for lighting, watering, temperature, humidity, etc.
Table of Contents
Essential Anthurium superbum Care Tips
In my experience, Anthurium superbum care is an easy task, it only requires a set of guidelines to be adhered to, and the plant grows without much fuss.
If you seek a comprehensive outline of Anthurium superbum care tips, read along, as you will find the following sentiments helpful.
Before I dive into Anthurium superbum care, there is one particular feature about the plant that you should know, it is a hybrid plant.
What is that you ask? A hybrid plant is that which results from cross-pollination, which is simply crossbreeding different varieties of the same plant.
With that being said read along as I guide you into effective and beneficial techniques of Anthurium superbum care.
Soil
Before selecting the soil mixture for this plant, you should keep in mind that Anthurium superbum does not grow directly from the ground in the natural environment; instead, it grows off moss and litter from tree branches.
Thus, effective Anthurium superbum care requires that you stick to a similar soil structure.
From its natural habitat, Anthurium superbum likes a loose and breathable environment.
A good way to go about the soil for Anthuriums is to use a mixture of regular houseplant potting soil and orchid soil. You can go with half potting soil and half orchid soil.
With Anthuriums, you want to go with soil that is light and loose and that drains well.
Instead of the mixture of regular potting soil and orchid soil, you could also go with a mix of peat moss & perlite (+ add some regular potting soil as well, like 1/3 + 1/3 +1/3).
Light
Anthurium superbum cannot tolerate direct sunlight, as this would result in burnt leaves, which is not good.
You should ensure that the plant is protected from direct sunlight at all times, preferably using window shades.
Watering
Before I direct you on the most suitable watering techniques for Anthurium superbum care, you should know that this plant has two growth phases, namely the active and the passive stages and that the regularity of watering varies in these two phases.
The active season is mainly from March to September. During this phase, I advise you to check on your plant at least twice weekly, ensuring that the soil is moist.
Check the soil’s water content by dipping your finger in the soil, when less moist, water the plant immediately.
For the passive season, I prefer checking the plant once after a few weeks, just to ensure that the water content is enough since it still requires water to survive. The above watering Anthurium superbum care tips are critical in keeping your plant healthy.
Temperature
Anthuriums have a strict temperature preference that must be followed; otherwise, they will die out. While I know it might hard to regulate your interior’s temperature; I strongly recommend maintaining it between 65 to 70. Fahrenheit
Ensure the temperature does not go below 55, as this is against Anthurium superbum care guidelines and can kill the plant.
As I mentioned earlier, you should ensure your plant is located in an area, whether inside or outside your house, that is conducive for proper growth.
I wouldn’t place my plant anywhere close to fans, air conditioners, or heaters, as this is detrimental to them.
With mentioned factors in mind, it is your role to ensure that your plant thrives wherever you place it.
Humidity
I know you will find the recommendations below quite peculiar, and they may not be what you like, but remember, you are a plant lover, and you want you anthurium to thrive.
From its origin in Ecuador, Anthurium superbum loves environments with high humidity, and your home is not excluded. In dry air, such plants tend to die away, with their leaves turning brown.
I would advise you to place your plant in the bathroom, but I know you want it somewhere you can admire its beautiful and unique foliage, therefore, place it anywhere so long as it humid enough.
Regularly misting your plant is of great help, you can even put a pebble tray under the plant’s container.
If all these options fail to work, then I would recommend a humidifier, which will provide the required humid conditions for the plant.
Also, yet another good way to increase the humidity for your Anthurium is to place it on a tray with damp pebbles or group it together with other Anthuriums that you may have in the house.
Fertilizer
Let me start by saying that this is probably the most beneficial and, at the same time, dangerous options for feeding anthurium. Why so? The line separating fertilizer as a source of nutrients and poison is very thin, and it all depends on the quantity.
While it may seem like using more fertilizer than the recommended amount is beneficial to your plant, it becomes a fatal poison for Anthurium superbum and burns its roots.
Hence, you should stick to the prescription when fertilizing your plant.
You may decide to use all-purpose fertilizer or the formula used for orchids. However, keep in mind that the method used for each is varied, especially when it comes to the dosage.
For all-purpose fertilizer, during growing season, one dose after six to eight weeks should suffice, while for orchid fertilizer, every three to six weeks is enough.
You don’t need to fertilize your plant outside of the growing season.
Phosphorus is an anthurium delicacy; hence I prefer fertilizers that have a higher ratio of the same.
Propagation
Propagating the plant is not as complicated as it sounds, it only requires that you follow specific Anthurium superbum care guidelines, and everything will flow smoothly.
First, I would direct you to propagate your plant during repotting as the roots are exposed, making the process easy.
Of all the different methods used for propagation, I prefer plant division, as it is more suited to proper Anthurium superbum care.
As I mentioned earlier, direct sunlight is detrimental to anthurium, hence having replanted your plant, find a place away from direct sunlight.
Also, avoid fertilizing your plant immediately after replanting as this might lead to retarded growth.
Preferably, wait for at least six months before fertilizing your plant.
Growth
I do not want to dictate where you will place your plant, but conventionally, patios, and indoor containers are best suited for effective Anthurium superbum care. Regardless of where it is placed, there should be enough room for proper growth.
I would advise you to leave a growth room of between ten to twenty inches in diameter. The container should also be loose enough to allow proper growth. Ideally, a ten-inch deep container should be enough.
Ensure that the roots are loose for the plant to be tall enough since when bound, they are likely to cause stunted growth.
Therefore, you may be forced to change the pot at some point to allow the plant to grow adequately.
Potting
While potting your plant, you are at liberty to choose an option that fulfills your decorative preferences. However, do not go overboard with the whole thing and end up going against Anthurium superbum care guidelines.
When selecting a pot, be very keen about the size, get a medium-sized one. A large container will let your roots grow haphazardly retarding the growth of your plant.
Drainage is another crucial factor inherent in Anthurium superbum care. I strongly advise having one or more holes to drain off excess water and prevent the plant from drowning.
As I said earlier, potting solely depends on preferences. There are numerous techniques you can use to pot your plant, and others do not even require soil, just water in a container.
Anthurium Superbum Propagation Techniques
Like I said earlier, propagating anthurium is not a complicated task; it only involves a set of comprehensive guidelines that must be followed.
While there are different ways to propagate your Anthurium, the easiest way to propagate your Anthurium is through plant division.
It is also possible to produce new anthurium plant babies through seeds, however it is not recommended (see below for more info).
Plant division
You are lucky. Anthurium propagation is actually not all that difficult. You can easily get new plant babies by dividing your Anthurium superbum into two or even more plants (depending on the size).
All you need to do to multiply your plant is to take it out of the pot and then untangle/separate the roots.
Depending on the size of your Anthurium, you might end up with just 2 plants in total or maybe a lot more.
After dividing the roots, all that is left for you to do is to replant these divided plants into a new pot
Make sure to use a new pot with fresh soil when repotting.
Propagation through seeds
While it is not impossible to propagate Anthurium superbum (and other Anthuriums) from seeds, we don’t encourage you to do so, as this process is pretty complex and it takes a very long time.
You are, therefore, much better of propagating your Anthurium superbum through plant division as exemplified above.
Anthurium superbum: Common Problems
Plant Pests
Like any other plant, Anthurium superbum is susceptible to attacks from pests.
Primarily, the mentioned plant is affected by sucking parasites such as thrips, mealybugs, scale, and spider mites.
However, the plant is not affected by the biting and chewing pests due to its thick leaves.
This should not give you false hope since such animals still suck the sap off anthurium and detriments its health.
But don’t worry, Plantophiles got your back. With our care guides, you will, on many occasions, be able to win the battle over these peskpy pests.
Here are our guides:
Drooping and Yellow Leaves
This happens mainly due to inadequate water and sunlight. Therefore, be sure to adhere to the Anthurium superbum care tips above to avoid the mentioned problem
Splitting leaves
This mostly occurs due to low humidity. Therefore, if your plant is showing signs of splitting leaves, I would recommend exposing it to a more humid environment.
Tips to keep plant Anthurium superbum problem-free
If you want to keep your plant problem-free, I strongly suggest that you adhere to the Anthurium superbum care tips described above.
Most of the problems arise when the plant is not exposed to its optimum conditions, such us splitting leaves due to low humidity.
Frequently asked questions about Anthurium superbum
Is Anthurium superbum harmful to your health?
Anthurium superbum has insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that may irritate the skin and eyes. While I believe you are wise enough not to bite off the plant’s leaves, it is wise to place it in a strategic position away from the reach of infants, who may be clumsy.
Is Anthurium superbum harmful to pets?
Yes, it is very harmful to pets, and I wouldn’t want my pet hovering around the plant. The substance mentioned above, calcium oxalate crystals, when ingested, irritate the mouth and pretty much the entire system. If your pet ingests the plant, I advise seeking veterinary services immediately.
Does Anthurium superbum purify the air in my home?
Yes, this is one of my favorite perks, it eliminates contaminants in the air, such as ammonia; therefore, I would recommend getting the plant if you want clean air in your residence.
Conclusion
Anthurium superbum is one of the best plants you will get for your home due to its air-purifying properties. Who doesn’t want a plant that cleans the right? Anthurium superbum care is a truly job, get the plant yourself, and verify this yourself.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.