Regal Anthurium (Velvet Anthurium) care

Light

In the wild regal anthurium grows on the bright edge of a forest canopy, not in the canopy and not in the open. Indoors, that translates to within a metre of an unobstructed window, sheer curtain optional. Medium to bright indirect light. An east window, or a few feet back from a south/west window behind a sheer curtain, is ideal. Avoid prolonged direct sun, which scorches the velvety leaf surface; too little light causes leggy growth and leaf drop. The fastest test: a hand held at the leaf casts a soft-edged shadow at noon — sharp shadow means too much sun, no shadow means too little light.

Watering

Aim for every 5-9 days in growth; water when the top 2-3 cm has dried for regal anthurium, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule. A south-facing summer windowsill will dry the pot twice as fast as a north-facing winter room. Lift the pot; if it feels noticeably lighter than it did wet, water it. Keep the mix lightly, evenly moist but never soggy. Water thoroughly, let excess drain, and allow the top 2-3 cm (about an inch) to dry before watering again. Reduce noticeably in winter. Overwatering is the main killer here, causing root rot and sudden yellowing of lower leaves.

Soil and pot

Regal Anthurium grows best in chunky, fast-draining epiphytic aroid mix. Use a loose, airy blend of orchid bark, perlite and coco coir or peat (roughly equal parts), with optional charcoal and sphagnum. The roots need oxygen, so a dense potting soil suffocates them. Target a slightly acidic to neutral pH (about 6.0-7.0) and always use a pot with drainage holes. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Regal Anthurium sits happiest at around 60-80% humidity and 18-27°C (65-80°F). A high-humidity plant native to cloud forest. It performs best above 60%; below about 50% leaf edges brown and new leaves may emerge deformed. A humidifier is the most reliable fix; grouping plants or a pebble tray helps modestly. Avoid heavy misting on the velvet leaves, which can encourage fungal spotting. If you keep the room above 18 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed regal anthurium sparingly. Feed lightly with a balanced water-soluble houseplant fertiliser (such as 20-20-20) at quarter to half strength every 4-6 weeks during spring and summer. Anthuriums are sensitive to salt buildup, so flush the mix with plain water periodically and stop feeding in autumn and winter. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on regal anthurium in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Yellowing lower leaves — Usually overwatering or a waterlogged, dense mix leading to root rot. Let the top few centimetres dry between waterings and switch to a chunky, free-draining aroid blend.
• Brown, crispy leaf edges — A sign of low humidity or salt/mineral buildup from tap water or fertiliser. Raise humidity above 60%, water with filtered or rainwater, and flush the mix occasionally.
• New leaves emerging small or deformed — Often insufficient humidity, inconsistent watering or low light during leaf development. Stabilise conditions; this fussy grower needs steady warmth and moisture to size up each new leaf.
• Faded leaves or scorched patches — Too much direct sun bleaches and burns the velvety surface. Move to bright indirect light or add a sheer diffuser.
• Leaf drop / failure to thrive — Anthurium regale notoriously struggles to hold multiple leaves indoors; cold drafts, low light or root disturbance trigger drops. Keep it above 18°C, away from drafts, and avoid frequent repotting.
• Root rot and mushy stem base — Caused by soggy media and poor drainage. Unpot, trim affected roots, and replant in fresh airy mix in a pot with drainage holes.

Propagation

Most reliably propagated by division of mature plants that have offshoots or multiple growth points, or by stem cuttings with at least one node and some aerial roots; root the section in damp sphagnum or a light airy mix under high humidity. Seed propagation is possible but slow and uncommon outside specialist growers. Best done in spring or early summer. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Regal Anthurium is toxic to pets. Toxic to cats and dogs. Anthurium regale is not listed individually by the ASPCA, but the genus member it lists (Anthurium scherzeranum, "Flamingo/Tail Flower") is classified toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and all anthuriums are Araceae aroids containing insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing releases needle-like raphides that cause oral pain, burning, swelling of the mouth and tongue, drooling and difficulty swallowing. Keep out of reach and verify with your vet if ingested. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Regal Anthurium deep-dive guides

Every aspect of regal anthurium care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Regal Anthurium watering schedule
• Regal Anthurium light requirements
• Best soil mix for regal anthurium
• Regal Anthurium fertilizing guide
• When to repot regal anthurium
• How to propagate regal anthurium
• Regal Anthurium growth rate & size
• Regal Anthurium cold hardiness
• Regal Anthurium temperature & humidity
• Is regal anthurium toxic to cats & dogs?

Related guides

Regal Anthurium is also commonly called Regal Anthurium or Velvet Anthurium.

• Types of anthurium — varieties identified, with care and pet-safety
• Snake plant care — light, water and common problems
• Dracaena care — light, water and common problems
• Peperomia care — light, water and common problems
• All 609 plant care guides in the Growli library