Anthurium Veitchii: How to Care for and Propagate “The King”

Nicknamed the King Anthurium (or just “The King”) for its jaw-droppingly long and large foliage, it’s counterpart, the Queen Anthurium (Anthurium Warocqueanum) is the "Queen".

Read on for everything you need to know about caring for Anthurium Veitchii and where to buy this amazing plant!

Here are some quick tips to understand the Anthurium King Veitchii's basic care:

 

Botanical Name: King Anthurium

Plant type: Slow growing epiphytic (climbing) plant

Exposure to sunlight: Plenty of bright indirect light

Soil type: Well-draining and chunky soil

Color: Mature leaves are dark green with a bit of metallic shine with lighter green underneath

Water: Moderately watered - consistently moist soil

Favorable climate: Tropical & Humid

Preferable Fertilizer: Liquid fertilizer (half dilution)

Propagation: Division or Stem cuttings with node - air layer for best results

Toxicity warning: Toxic if ingested

Status: Rare

Height: Up to 6 foot tall leaves

Origin: Native to Colombia

 

Now that you've gotten a quick overview of this rare Anthurium King Veitchii, we will give you important tips, do’s, and don'ts with growing this coveted plant.

 

Anthurium King Veitchii Potting Mix:

As an epiphyte plant, Anthurium King Veitchii prefer a loose and well-draining potting mix that still holds some moisture. Your plant will want a mix that will remain somewhat moist, but the majority of the water should be able to drain out.

You can purchase an premade aroid potting mix or make your own with one part orchid bark, one part perlite and two parts indoor plant potting mix.

 

Anthurium King Veitchii Watering:

Like many aroids, the Anthurium Veitchii does best with consistently damp, but not soaked, soil.

The best way to achieve this is to water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch, or when a moisture meter reads 3-4. (Here’s the moisture meter we prefer. By the way, it also measures light and soil pH!)

When you determine that it’s time to water, slowly add water to the soil until it just starts to drain out the bottom of the pot or basket. Tilt your pot and empty the drainage trays immediately or leave the pot in the sink to drain for an hour or two.

We recommend you water your Anthurium Veitchii every 7-10 days. It’s important to check your plant’s soil regularly to see when it’s moisture level because different environmental factors (such as humidity, temperature, soil aeration and light conditions) can affect how efficiently your plant absorbs it's water.

Anthurium King Veitchii Lighting:

Your Anthurium Veitchii needs bright, indirect light. An east-facing window is the best for your King. Do not put this plant in direct sunlight however as this could seriously damage the leaves. The plants foliage take a long time to grow in the first place, so be careful! Supplementing or utilizing grow lights are also a good way to keep your King happy.

 

Anthurium King Veitchii Humidity:

Since the King Veitchii naturally grow in tropical environments, these Anthuriums love humidity, but misting is generally not the most effective way to provide humidity for your plant.

We recommend using a humidifier to keep the humidity above 60%, which will be more foolproof for your plants. Plus, it’s easy to use a humidifier rather than always having to mist your plants.

 

Anthurium King Veitchii Fertilizer:

We recommend using a general houseplant fertilizer once a month (at half dilution) during the growing season (the spring and summer) to keep your Anthurium King Veitchii it's best.

 

Anthurium King Veitchii Toxicity For Pets:

Yes, Anthurium King Veitchii is toxic. Be sure to keep this plant far out of reach of pets and kids. Since the plant grows big leaves, we'd recommend having it higher up out of reach of pets or kids.

 

Anthurium King Veitchii Propagation:

You can propagate your King Veitchii through division or stem cutting. Propagating through division is the easiest and quickest way to “duplicate” another Anthurium King. Division is done by simply dividing two or more plants growing in the same pot. Then transplanting one of the 'Kings' into a soil mix that is similar to the parents.

Propagating through stem cuttings that already have some aerial roots will increase your success rate, although it’s not necessary. You'll want to find a stem and follow it down to find where it’s growing out from the node. Use a clean, sharp knife to cut off the stem below its node, so the node is included on the cutting.

 

Anthurium King Veitchii Rarity:

Is the King Veitchii rare? Yes, it is grown in more temperate climates and is not found in many US collections. Due to it's very long ruffled leaves that can grow up to 6 feet long, it's an Anthurium lover's favorite!

Where To Buy Anthurium King Veitchii In California:

If you're looking to buy a healthy Anthurium King Veitchii in California, look no further than plantvault.com!