Growli
Let's go

Fertilising guide

How to fertilise Anthurium 'Black Queen' (Anthurium andraeanum 'Black Queen')— schedule & NPK

Also called Black Anthurium, Black Flamingo Flower.

More about anthurium 'black queen'

About Anthurium 'Black Queen'

Anthurium andraeanum 'Black Queen' · also called Black Anthurium, Black Flamingo Flower · flowering

Anthurium 'Black Queen' is a flamingo flower selection grown for its dramatic, near-black glossy spathes that open deep burgundy and darken with age, set against broad green leaves. A tropical epiphytic aroid, it flowers almost year-round indoors given bright indirect light, steady warmth, high humidity and a chunky, fast-draining mix. Note: all parts are toxic to pets.

Growth habit: Compact, upright evergreen epiphytic aroid forming a clump of long-stalked leaves with flowers held above the foliage.

Watch for — Brown leaf tips: Low humidity or fertiliser-salt build-up burns the tips. Raise humidity and flush the pot to leach excess salts, feeding more lightly.

What fertiliser anthurium 'black queen' actually wants — and why

Anthurium 'Black Queen' is an easy, light foliage feeder — a half-strength balanced liquid feed through the growing months keeps it green without forcing weak, sappy growth.

A balanced general houseplant feed (roughly even N-P-K) is exactly right — it is grown for foliage, so steady, moderate nitrogen for healthy leaves is the goal, not a bloom or root formula.

For the language behind the three numbers on the bottle — what nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium each do — see the NPK ratio explained entry. The short version for anthurium 'black queen': match the feed to the job the plant is doing right now, not to a generic “plant food” on the shelf.

How often to feed anthurium 'black queen', and which months

Feeding only earns its keep while the plant is in active growth and can use the nutrients — pour feed into a dormant or low-light plant and it simply builds up as root-burning salt. For anthurium 'black queen':

Feed every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced or slightly higher-phosphorus houseplant feed at quarter to half strength. Anthuriums are sensitive to salts, so feed lightly and flush the pot occasionally; pause in winter. Treat that as every 4-6 weeks between spring through early autumn (roughly March to September); ease off in autumn and stop entirely in the low light of winter.

The dormant-season rule matters more than the exact interval: skip feeding entirely when anthurium 'black queen' is resting. For the wider context on indoor feeding rhythms across the seasons, the houseplant fertiliser schedule walks through the year month by month.

What strength to mix for anthurium 'black queen'

Half strength is the safe default for anthurium 'black queen' — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.

Feeding always goes onto already-damp soil, never dry roots — water anthurium 'black queen' first if the soil is dry, then apply the diluted feed. The companion question is when to water at all, covered in the anthurium 'black queen' watering schedule.

Signs you are over-feeding anthurium 'black queen'

Over-feeding is far more common — and more damaging — than under-feeding for most plants. The classic tells for anthurium 'black queen':

Signs you are under-feeding anthurium 'black queen'

If the symptoms point at watering, light or roots rather than nutrition, the full anthurium 'black queen' care brief covers soil, humidity and the common problems for this species.

Flushing and leaching the salts

Flush the pot of anthurium 'black queen' with plain water until it runs freely from the base every couple of months in the feeding season — it washes out the fertiliser salts that cause brown tips.

Organic vs synthetic feeds for anthurium 'black queen'

Organic options

A diluted seaweed or worm-casting feed, or fish emulsion if you can tolerate the smell indoors. UK: Westland or Baby Bio Organic, dilute seaweed; US: Espoma Indoor! or Neptune's Harvest fish & seaweed. Slow, gentle and hard to overdo.

Synthetic / liquid feeds

A general-purpose houseplant liquid at half strength — UK: Baby Bio, Westland Houseplant Feed or Phostrogen; US: Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food or Schultz. Convenient and fast-acting; the only risk is overdoing it.

Brand names are examples, not endorsements, and UK and US ranges differ — check the label’s own NPK and dilution rate, since formulations change.

Fertilising anthurium 'black queen' — frequently asked questions

What fertiliser does anthurium 'black queen' need?

A balanced general houseplant feed (roughly even N-P-K) is exactly right — it is grown for foliage, so steady, moderate nitrogen for healthy leaves is the goal, not a bloom or root formula. Anthurium 'Black Queen' is an easy, light foliage feeder — a half-strength balanced liquid feed through the growing months keeps it green without forcing weak, sappy growth.

How often should I feed anthurium 'black queen'?

Feed every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced or slightly higher-phosphorus houseplant feed at quarter to half strength. Anthuriums are sensitive to salts, so feed lightly and flush the pot occasionally; pause in winter. Feed every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced or slightly higher-phosphorus houseplant feed at quarter to half strength. Anthuriums are sensitive to salts, so feed lightly and flush the pot occasionally; pause in winter. Treat that as every 4-6 weeks between spring through early autumn (roughly March to September); ease off in autumn and stop entirely in the low light of winter.

What strength of feed for anthurium 'black queen'?

Half strength is the safe default for anthurium 'black queen' — houseplant feeds are formulated strong, and the diluted dose is gentler on the roots while still ample for foliage.

What does over-feeding anthurium 'black queen' look like?

Brown, crispy leaf tips and edges with no sign of underwatering. A white, crusty salt deposit on the soil surface or pot rim. Weak, pale, stretched new growth that flops. Lower leaves yellow and drop while the soil is correctly watered. Feeding anthurium 'black queen' year-round on a fixed schedule, including dark winter months, is the most common mistake — it cannot use the nutrients in low light and the surplus simply burns the roots and crusts the soil.

Should I flush the soil of anthurium 'black queen'?

Flush the pot of anthurium 'black queen' with plain water until it runs freely from the base every couple of months in the feeding season — it washes out the fertiliser salts that cause brown tips.

Keep reading