Anthurium superbum, known for the unique-looking trait, is mostly found in the subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is easy to grow and well suited for containers and tropical landscapes. It is one of the rarest species and can’t be found easily because of its unique mixture of colors that are usually not available in other plants.
Due to this feature, it catches people’s eye, and those who have indoor plants get this to add color to their collection, and to make it look appealing. Moreover, anthurium superbum is great for beginners because it requires less care than other plants.
The key element of this plant is that it’s a hybrid plant, meaning, that it results from cross-pollination of different plants like anthurium neo superbum. To know more about this, keep reading the article!
Anthurium Superbum Classification
Family: Araceae
Genus: Anthurium
Specie: superbum
Genus Anthurium:
Genus Anthurium comprises a total of 825 species in the family of Araceae. Many of them are famous foliage plants. Some of these species are widely grown for the florist trade showcasing their enduring blooms consisting of shiny spathes. It is originated in America where it is further distributed to Mexico, Argentina, and parts of the Caribbean.
Features of the Anthurium Superbum Plant
Size:
The maximum size of the plant is 3 to 5 feet with a width of 2’. However, plants grown in spring are relatively smaller than the ones grown in fall
Leaves:
It has dark green leaves with the underside of maroon. The leaves grow up to 5 feet, varying with access to sunlight and temperature.
Toxicity:
Calcium oxalate crystals are filled in the anthurium superbum plants, like the others in the Araceae family. If the plant is chewed, the released crystals will cause tissue penetration following by mouth irritation. It is a very rare case that if the swelling takes place in the airway, breathing would be difficult.
Anthurium Superbum Care
Like every other plant, superbum anthurium requires proper care and fulfillment of requirements in order for it to grow at its best.
Quick Guide:
Water: In the growing season (march-September) and few times in winter.
Sunlight: Indirect, bright light.
Fertilizer: a single dose after 6-8 weeks.
Let us take a detailed look at the plant.
Water Requirements
Our goal is to keep the soil moist. A regular check on the plant is required to see if it is dry or not and mostly in the dry season of March till September.
However in the winters, once in few weeks will be more than enough. The varying access to light and humidity will greatly affect the water intake of the plant.
Overwatering the plant will adversely affect it and will cause the soil to be soggy, leading to an unhealthy growth of the plant.
Light Requirements
The anthurium superbum is not used to direct and harsh sunlight like a philodendron. It requires indirect bright sunlight. The ideal positioning of the plant would be an east open room of access to varying sunlight.
Climate differs from region to region so the exact placement of the plant will not be suitable for everyone. However, the plant has to be saved from harsh sunlight as it is sensitive to it. Moreover, an adequate amount of sunlight would be 6-8 hours.
This plant is known for its beauty, and the direct sunlight will only take away the beauty, and the plant won’t grow to its full potential.
Soil Requirements
There is a vast difference between growing superbum anthurium in a garden and in a pot. The difference will be prominent once grown. If you are growing it in a garden, then obviously garden soil will be used. The plant will grow at its best when it is grown on rich and moist soil. Wet soil should be avoided as it will cause the water to hold and similarly, dry soil like sand should also be avoided
On other hand, if you want to grow your plant in a container, potting soil will do its best. This soil is more of a medium for the plant to grow than the garden soil which has nutrients absorbed. The container plan will make use of good quality fertilizer which will work as the nutrients for the plant.
To make the soil loose, a combination of perlite is recommended.
Humidity Requirements
The plant best survives in high humid areas. Likely if you leave the plant where the air is drier, the leaves will start turning brown and this is a sign that leads to unhealthy growth and it soon dies.
The best areas to place your plant where it enjoys the ample amount of humidity, are the kitchen and the bathroom. These are high humid areas where your plant will grow at its best making use of the perfect humidity requirements that you are providing it to.
Temperature Requirements
The perfect temperature state that your plant enjoys is 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Fortunately, the plant will withstand and keep growing if the temperature is slightly warmer.
However, the leaves will start turning green when it is placed at an area where the temperature is below 55 degrees.
Fertilizer Requirements
There is a known myth that plants will likely be grown faster and healthier when they are fed with more fertilizers. Little do they know that the plant will lead to fertilizer burn? This is when the roots of the plants get an excessive amount of nitrogen.
The anthurium superbum needs to be fed on a regular basis but keeping in that only a little, every time.
The best fertilizer to be used is the fertilizer for orchids. With this, you need to feed the plant once, every 3-7 weeks. An all-purpose fertilizer could also be used.
Slow release or the liquid formula, both will do well.
The plant will grow with its full potential when it is fed with the right amount of fertilizer. Otherwise, it will either die soon or will lead to unhealthy growth.
Pruning Requirements
Plants like anthurium superbum don’t require much pruning as they don’t grow longer than 5 feet. However, for healthy growth, you can trim it once in a while. There are certain advantages of pruning like you can get rid of the possible diseases along with that, the plant will look better when the dead leaves are cut. It will revive to a more stunning plant as it should be.
It is recommended to use gloves when taking care of this plant as it contains certain chemicals that could result in irritation.
Repotting requirements
As the plant is gradually growing, repotting won’t be a necessity soon. The provision of a wide environment for the plant will make it grow healthier. As soon as the plant grows outside its pot, you can repot it into a bigger pot that suits it. If you leave the plant in the current pot which it was outgrowing, the plant growth could be affected and will become much slower than usual.
The best season to repot your plant would be spring and summer.
Anthurium Superbum Propagation
The division is the best method used for Anthurium superbum. The perfect time for propagating this plant is when you repot it.
- Choose the stem which has already grown and take a new container to repot it.
- If the plant only has a single stem, then the top should be cut. Some leaves should be left behind.
- After the breeding is done, place the plant where it doesn’t catch direct sunlight and has access to shade.
- Don’t even try to fertilize it immediately as it would damage the growth of the plant.
- The awaited time should be 6 weeks, then you can feed the plant.
By using these steps, the plant will propagate to its full potential. There is nothing complicated and is easy as you can see
Problems and Solutions
A common problem found in many plants is the leaves turning brown. Like every other plant, Anthurium superbum also faces this. The most reasonable cause for this is direct and harsh sunlight. So to avoid this, it’s recommended to keep the plant at a shady place so that it could be saved from its changing color.
Other than the direct sunlight, nutrients deficiency could be one of the reasons for the plant to turn brown. So, make use of different and good quality fertilizers to boost up the growth of the plant and avoid diseases.
The third reason could be if the plant has aged. So just cut the dead leaves and revive the beautiful art of nature. Moreover, the plant could face rotting of roots if watered more than it requires. So the simple solution to it is to be waterless.
The plant could be possibly attacked by pests and result in diseases. A simple combination of soap and water could avoid this.
Related Post:
Summary
The anthurium superbum flower is an absolute art of nature that requires care for it to grow healthier. It is found in the subtropical. Just like some other plants, it is a threat to some animals. The plant is happy with just the right amount of temperature and humidity.
It is an easy-grown plant that could be kept inside your house, and especially in areas like your room and your kitchen for it to make use of high humidity. It doesn’t require regular watering but just regular check-ups to make sure the plant is growing with its full potential. This just adds to the beauty of nature and likewise has significant advantages as well.
