Anthuriums are one of the most popular house plants out there nowadays. Of the different varieties this plant species exhibits, the Anthurium Balaoanum stands out as one of the most beautiful and showy.
To care for an Anthurium Balaoanum, place it year-round somewhere with indirect light coming from a window. Water it thoroughly once per week or when you notice the top inch of soil is dry. The ideal temperature for this plant ranges between 64-93 °F (18-34°C).
Although the main caring tasks described above might sound simple, let’s have a look into the details of Anthurium Balaoanum care.
Anthurium Balaoanum Basics
The Anthurium Balaoanum is an evergreen, perennial plant in the Araceae family.
It originates from tropical rainforests in Ecuador. Anthurium Balaoanum can be grown outdoors year-round in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 10 or higher. It will need protection during winter months when temperatures fall below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (-4 Celsius).
The Anthurium Balaoanum produces light green, smooth, thin leaves that are almost as thin as tissue paper when adequately cared for.
Anthurium Balaoanum Caring Tips
The caring tasks to properly care for an Anthurium Balaoanum can be divided into the following categories:
- Watering
- Light
- Temperature and Humidity
- Soil and Fertilizing
- Pest prevention
- Propagation
Watering
Water your Anthurium Balaoanum when you notice the top layer of the soil is dry. You can check this by using your finger to make a slight hole in the soil. If the top inch of soil is dry, water thoroughly your Anthurium Balaoanum until you see all the soil is moist but not soggy.
Ensure that the pot or container has drainage holes so that the excess water will not sit at the bottom of the pot. Anthurium Balaoanum does not like to stay standing in water. Therefore you need to check beforehand that the excess water can drain out.
Light
The Anthurium Balaoanum likes bright, indirect light that mimics the filtered sunlight that comes in through a rainforest canopy. So put your plant where it will be exposed to the highest quality filtered light; this could be a window or a balcony. If you have a backyard with other plants, make sure that the leaves from its leafy friends can provide enough shade during the day.
You should avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight at all costs, as this can cause sunburns on the Anthurium Balaoanum leaves. Anthurium Balaoanum is very sensitive to high levels of light and it will show stress with small brown spots appearing on the leaves.
It’s worth mentioning that sunburn’s damage is irreversible and will make your Anthurium look unattractive, so aim for filtered light only.
Temperature and Humidity
The Anthurium Balaoanum likes warm temperatures that stay in the range of 64 – 93 °F (18-34 Celsius). So if you live in a place that gets too cold during winter, you will have a hard time keeping your Anthurium alive. Anthurium Balaoanum doesn’t like cold drafts either, so make sure that there is enough distance between it and the air conditioning vent in your home.
Regarding humidity, this plant prefers high levels, preferably above 70%. So if you have a challenging time while getting this caring task right, we suggest that you mist your Anthurium Balaoanum leaves once every two days. Alternatively, you can get a humidifier to ensure the humidity requirements are met.
Soil and Fertilizing
The Anthurium Balaoanum prefers a well-drained and light potting mix that consists of about 50% organic material like leaf litter, peat moss or composted bark.
Adding extra charcoal to the blend is suggested by some gardeners. This will help to prevent deterioration and keep nutrients in the soil for a long period. It will also help to allow airflow through the potting mix, retain moisture and aid drainage.
It would be best to fertilize your Anthurium Balaoanum every 2 weeks with a standard houseplant fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or similar. For safety reasons, do not use fertilizers with high nitrogen levels, as this could harm your Anthurium.
Pest Prevention
Aphids, scale and mealybugs are the main Anthurium Balaoanum pests that you may encounter if you don’t take preventive measures. So always check your Anthurium Balaoanum leaves regularly for signs of these little plant thieves.
If you spot any suspicious signs, identify the pest correctly before treating Anthurium Balaoanum with pesticides. Anthurium Balaoanum doesn’t respond well to sprays containing oil-based pesticides, so read instructions carefully or opt for an alternative solution if possible.
Propagation
There are three ways you can use to propagate your Anthurium Balaoanum: by air layering, cuttings or seed.
The first method consists of covering the Anthurium Balaoanum roots with some damp sphagnum moss and anchoring the new shoots on top. Next, you will need to wrap your Anthurium Balaoanum in foil, place it under indirect light and wait until you see new leaves forming.
The second method is by using cuttings of half-inch Anthurium Balaoanum shoots. Anthurium Balaoanum propagates quickly through stem cuttings, so aim to take 6 or more cuttings that are 1 inch long. Remove the leaves from the lower half of Anthurium Balaoanum stems and dip Anthurium Balaoanum cuttings in rooting hormone. The cuttings should be placed in a glass of lukewarm water, where they will develop roots within 2 weeks.
Propagation by seed is slower than the other two methods, but it remains an effective means of growing more Anthurium Balaoanum plants. Anthurium Balaoanum seeds need to be cleaned and then sown in a standard potting mix. Germination typically takes about 2 months and the plant will not bloom until it is mature enough, which can take up to 6 years.
The Anthurium Balaoanum is a beautiful plant to grow and care for, especially if you want something that looks majestic and will make your home or workspace feel more alive.
We hope this guide has helped you learn how to take care of an Anthurium Balaoanum so it can flourish in your own garden. If so, please share it with your friends and family who may be interested in starting their own Anthurium Balaoanum plant as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Anthurium Balaoanum flower?
Unline the Anthurium Andraeanum (Flamingo Plant), the Balaoanum doesn’t usually bloom indoors.
Are coffee grounds good for Anthuriums?
Coffee grounds can be actually harmful to Anthurium Balaoanum. Anthuriums don’t like acidic soil, so coffee grounds shouldn’t be used as a fertilizer.
