Anthurium Superbum

If you’re looking for a truly unique houseplant that makes a bold statement, look no further. The anthurium superbum is a rare and striking tropical that stands out from the crowd with its dramatic foliage.

This plant isn’t your typical flowering anthurium. Instead of flashy blooms, it offers something more architectural. Its thick, dark green leaves have a stunning, almost metallic sheen and grow in a compact, bird’s nest shape. It’s a conversation piece that brings a piece of the rainforest right into your home.

Native to the rainforests of Ecuador, this plant is an epiphyte. In the wild, it grows on trees, not in soil. This gives us big clues about how to care for it successfully indoors. Understanding its natural habitat is the key to keeping it healthy and happy.

Why It’s a Special Plant for Collectors

The superbum’s beauty is in its simplicity and structure. Each leaf is rigid and paddle-shaped, with a beautiful quilted texture. New leaves emerge with a reddish tint before maturing to that deep, glossy green.

Here’s what makes it so desirable:

Architectural Form: Its leaves grow in a perfect, upright rosette that looks sculpted.
Unique Texture: The leaves are thick and leathery, helping it tolerate lower humidity than some fussier tropicals.
Compact Size: It stays relatively manageable, usually under two feet wide, making it ideal for shelves or tabletops.
Rarity: While becoming more available, it’s still considered a prized find among plant enthusiasts.

Essential Care Guide for Your Plant

Caring for your anthurium superbum is straightforward once you mimic its preferred conditions. It’s surprisingly adaptable for such a exotic-looking plant.

Light: Bright but Indirect is Best

This plant thrives in bright, filtered light. Think of the dappled sunlight under the jungle canopy. An east-facing window is often perfect. A few feet back from a south or west window works well too.

Avoid direct, harsh afternoon sun. It can scorch those beautiful leaves. If the light is too low, growth will slow to a crawl.

Watering: The Most Critical Step

Overwatering is the fastest way to harm your plant. Because it’s an epiphyte, its roots need air and hate being soggy.

Let the top few inches of the potting mix dry out completely before watering.
Water thoroughly until it runs freely from the drainage holes.
Empty the saucer or cache pot after a few minutes so the roots aren’t sitting in water.
In winter, reduce watering frequency as growth slows.

A good rule is to check the soil with your finger. If it feels damp, wait another day or two.

Soil and Potting: It’s All About Drainage

You cannot use regular garden soil. It holds to much moisture and will suffocate the roots. You need a chunky, airy mix that replicates tree bark.

A simple recipe you can make at home includes:

30% Orchid bark (for chunkiness and air flow)
30% Coconut coir or peat moss (for slight moisture retention)
30% Perlite or pumice (for drainage and aeration)
10% Horticultural charcoal (to keep the mix fresh)

Choose a pot with excellent drainage holes. Terracotta pots are a great choice because they allow the soil to dry more evenly.

Humidity and Temperature

As a tropical plant, it appreciates humidity above 50%. Average home humidity is often okay, but it will be happiest with a boost. You can:

Place it on a pebble tray filled with water.
Group it with other plants to create a microclimate.
Use a small humidifier nearby, especially in dry winter months.

Keep it in normal room temperatures, between 65°F and 80°F. Avoid cold drafts from windows or doors in winter, and keep it away from heating vents.

Common Problems and Simple Solutions

Even with great care, you might encounter an issue. Here’s how to troubleshoot.

Yellowing Leaves

This is usually a sign of overwatering. Check the soil moisture immediately. If it’s wet, let it dry out deeply before watering again. Ensure your pot drains properly.

Sometimes, older leaves yellow and die off naturally as the plant grows. If it’s just one or two at the base, don’t worry to much.

Brown Leaf Tips or Edges

This often points to low humidity or inconsistent watering. Increase humidity around the plant and try to stick to a more regular watering schedule based on soil dryness, not the calendar.

Pests to Watch For

Like many houseplants, it can occasionally attract pests. Keep an eye out for:

Spider Mites: Look for fine webbing and stippling on leaves. Wipe leaves regularly and treat with insecticidal soap.
Mealybugs: Appear as small, white, cottony masses. Dab them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
Scale: Hard, brown bumps on stems or leaves. Scrape them off gently and treat the plant.

Regularly inspecting your plant when you water is the best prevention.

Propagation: How to Make More Plants

You can propagate your anthurium superbum by division. It’s best done when you repot the plant in spring or early summer.

Gently remove the plant from its pot and brush away the old soil.
Look for natural divisions—clusters of leaves with there own root system.
Using clean, sharp scissors or a knife, carefully separate a division. Ensure it has healthy roots attached.
Pot the new division in its own small container with fresh, airy potting mix.
Keep it warm and humid while it establishes, watering lightly until you see new growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the anthurium superbum a difficult plant to care for?
Not particularly. It’s more forgiving than many other rare tropicals. The main thing is to avoid overwatering and provide it with bright, indirect light. If you can care for a pothos or philodendron, you can likely care for this one.

Does the superbum anthurium flower?
It can produce a classic anthurium inflorescence (a spathe and spadix), but it’s uncommon indoors. The flowers are small and greenish, and they’re not the main attraction. This plant is grown almost exclusively for its stunning foliage.

How fast does anthurium superbum grow?
It’s a moderately slow grower, especially in lower light conditions. With ideal care, you can expect a few new leaves each growing season. Patience is key with this one.

Is this tropical plant pet safe?
No. Like other anthuriums, it contains calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic if ingested by cats, dogs, or humans. Keep it out of reach of curious pets and children.

Why are the leaves on my plant not very glossy?
The shine can diminish if dust builds up or if the humidity is very low. Gently wipe the leaves with a damp, soft cloth every few weeks. This cleans the pores and helps it photosynthesize efficiently, and it often brings back the shine.

Final Tips for Success

The anthurium superbum is a rewarding plant that thrives on consistency. Don’t move it around to much; find a good spot and let it settle in. Fertilize lightly during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer once a month.

Repot only when necessary—every two to three years, or when you see roots growing out of the drainage holes. Remember, it actually likes being a bit snug in its pot. With these simple steps, you’ll enjoy this rare and striking tropical for many years to come.