Originating from southern Mexico, this anthurium variety is a species to watch out for, if you are a houseplant fanatic. The Anthurium Pedatoradiatum is a perennial evergreen variety, with its foliage as the center of attention.
Its striking hand-like leaves give this plant a stunning appearance. It is easy to grow and beautiful to look at, thus a very popular choice for indoor plants the world over.
In this article, we share the best-kept secrets on how to care for this unique variety. Excited to have an in-depth guide about maintaining your pedatoradiatum? Read on to find interesting facts about this exceptional species.
Anthurium Pedatoradiatum Classification
Family: Araceae
Genus: Anthurium
History
This terrestrial Anthurium variety is also known as Anthurium fingers. It gets its name from the finger-like projections of its leaves. This variety stemming from regions of southern Mexico is a widely sought-after species for planting indoors. Its distinct foliage makes it a popular ornamental plant.
Genus Anthurium
The genus Anthurium belongs to the Arum family and is one of the largest genera of flowering plants. It bags the position of being the second-largest genus within this family.
It comprises over 1000 varieties of exotic plants hailing from wide stretches of Central and South America and even the Caribbean.
Features of the Anthurium Pedatoradiatum
Structure
The Anthurium Pedatoradiatum is a unique variety with leaves shaped like claws in a stunning fresh green color. Unlike most anthurium varieties, which are epiphytic or semi-epiphytic, this plant has its roots grounded in the soil. It is, therefore, shorter compared to its other companions in the Aroid family.
The stems of these terrestrial plants are short and approximately 2 to 3 cm in thickness. Hence, this sturdy little fellow is an excellent self-supported and requires no external support.
Size
The size of this variety varies from plant to plant. If your pedatoradiatum seems smaller than your friend’s, do not panic. As long as your plant is in good health, the size is not indicative of its ability to flourish.
Generally, the plant can grow as tall as 1 meter. This species is not epiphytic and grows on the ground; you can expect it to be shorter than epiphytic Anthuriums. Each projection on the leaves is 20 to 30 cm long and the leaf scars are 2 cm wide as a whole. The length of the finger projections may vary but the leaves attain uniform width.
Leaves
Anthurium pedatoradiatum is a unique variety whose foliage is preferred over its blooms. The stunning foliage is shaped like a claw and consists of multiple finger-like projections.
These extensions can be up to thirteen in number giving the plant an incomparably eye-catching outlook. However, in younger plants, the leaves are heart-shaped instead of the signature hand-like appearance.
Flowers
Blooms of this variety are not its highlight feature. The leaves take all of the spotlights. The flowers are understated and not showy at all. An oval-shaped structure with pointed ends enclosed in a greenish-yellow spathe is what its flowers are like.
Since the flowers are not exuberant or fragrant, most people trim them off to conserve the plant’s energy.
Toxicity
This variety is highly toxic and must be handled with extreme precaution. Their toxicity is due to the high concentration of calcium oxalate crystals present within this genus. If ingested, the toxicity symptoms can include pain and discomfort in the mouth and throat.
Immediate medical attention must be sought in case an accidental interaction with this species occurs. Due to its toxic nature, always ensure that your pets and toddlers are at a safe distance from this plant.
Dormancy
Surprisingly, the Anthurium Pedatoradiatum does not undergo a dormant phase even during the harsh winter months. It maintains its growth streak throughout the year. It is for this reason that it requires a monthly dose of a nourishing fertilizer throughout the year.
Anthurium Pedatoradiatum Care
The Anthurium Pedatoradiatum is an easy-to-grow plant with very basic requirements. This stunning yet humble variety does not require you to go all out tending to its needs.
It is a self-heading plant and will happily grow on its own if you fulfill even the bare minimum. Delve in to have an insight into the care guide of this plant.
Quick Care Guide
Water: Moderate, check once a week if the topsoil is dry
Light: Moderate indirect sunlight or partial shade
Humidity: Moderate to high
Temperature: 18 to 25 degrees celsius
Fertilizer: Once a month during the growing season
Place Requirements
The plant is a tropical environment-loving species. Bright, humid, and warm climatic conditions are best suited to this variety.
It is ideal to place your plant in a bright spot within your home’s interior. A high moisture level and warm, greenhouse-like, conditions are an added plus.
Water Requirements
Watering frequency is crucial to your plant’s health. In optimum conditions, the pedatoradiatum does well with a watering schedule of once a week. However, temperature, light, and humidity are factors that heavily influence your plant’s watering needs.
If the environmental conditions are dry and hot, you may have to consider an increased watering frequency for your plant companion.
A good way to determine whether or not the plant requires water is to feel the topsoil. If it is dry to the touch, give the plant a watering shot, if not, then skip watering.
Important Instructions
Be wary not to overwater your plant. A water surplus can do more damage than water scarcity. Be consistent in watering the Anthurium fingers but do not exceed the plant’s needs.
An overwatered plant is prone to root rot and various fungal diseases. Maintaining an adequate watering routine can be a game-changer when it comes to growing a healthy pedatoradiatum.
Sunlight Requirements
The Anthurium Pedatoradiatum is a light-loving plant but it can tolerate low lighting conditions quite well. The ideal case scenario is that you put the plant in an open and bright area that receives diffused sunlight.
In the case of a few cloudy days, your pedatoradiatum will fare well too. Never expose the plant to direct sunlight, as this will burn the delicate foliage to yellow-brown color.
Temperature Requirements
Native to Southern Mexico, this plant undeniably flourishes well in warm climates. The ideal temperature range for this fellow is anywhere between 18 to 25 degrees celsius.
However, the Anthurium Pedatoradiatum is remarkably tough when it comes to tolerating a variety of temperatures. While this sturdy green champ may show resilience towards varying temperatures, be mindful not to expose it to temperature extremes.
Soil Requirements
The plant loves to be grown in a substrate that is well-aerated, porous, and well-draining. A well-drained soil facilitates plant growth by helping the excess water to be drained out. This prevents root rot otherwise caused by waterlogging.
The trick for a perfect growth medium is to include a higher concentration of peat mix in the potting mix. This will have numerous benefits for the plant such as increased water absorption and longer nutrient retention.
Humidity Requirements
The Southern and central regions of America are subject to high moisture in the environment. The pedatoradiatum, therefore, loves an environment with an abundance of water vapors.
The normal humidity conditions in your home are enough to suit the plant’s needs generally. However, you may need to amp up the moisture if you are living in a dry climatic region.
Simple measures to increase moisture around the plant can work wonders for this variety. Misting your plant weekly is a good practice to keep your plant companion happy. Using a humidifier and placing the plant in the kitchen, laundry, or bathroom are also good ideas to maintain the moisture gradient.
Fertilizer Requirements
Anthurium Pedatoradiatum thrives well with a monthly supply of a balanced, nutrient-rich fertilizer. The baseline nutrient requirements are met adequately with once a monthly fertilizer dose.
You can notice a significant growth of your plant during the spring, summer, and fall. During these growth spurts, the plant may require an additional fertilizer shot. It is advisable to increase the frequency of fertilizing to twice a month during these phases.
Always dilute the fertilizer before application. The delicate foliage of this species is susceptible to fertilizer burns at the hands of a potent fertilizer.
Pruning Requirements
The Anthurium Pedatoradiatum does not have specific pruning requirements. However, it is a good practice to remove the blooms to help the plant grow better and faster.
Repotting Requirements
The plant only needs to be re-potted during the growing season or when it outgrows its previous pot. The plant undergoes a growth spurt during the growing season, therefore, it’s best to transfer it to a bigger pot.
Anthurium pedatoradiatum will most likely give you signs on when it needs to be repotted. A noticeable bulge on the sides of the pot or roots growing out of the drainage hole. These are sure shot signs that you need to shift the plant to a bigger pot. Repotting the plant provides it with ample space to grow.
Growth Zones
The recommended ideal growth zones for this variety are the growth zones of USDA 10 and 11.
Anthurium Pedatoradiatum Propagation
The most efficient way to propagate this exotic rare species is through stem cuttings. Precisely cut out sprouts with healthy rootlets from the mother plant. Plant the cuttings in the prepared potting mix. Maintain adequate conditions for the plant to thrive and you will observe new sprouts within four to six weeks.
Be mindful to use sterilized gardening equipment while taking cuttings. Also, keep in mind that the variety is toxic so wear gloves while handling it. Make sure to leave enough foliage on the mother plant for it to flourish.
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Summary
The Anthurium Pedatoradiatum is a widely loved indoor plant due to its distinctive foliage. The leaves of this stunner steal the limelight and become the center of attention with little effort.
The plant is easy to grow with mainstream requirements. This variety is sure to turn heads when planted indoors or in your garden.
