Grow Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ in Your Home: Easy Hacks

Yes, I can relate too; I wanted to bring it home the first time I saw Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’.

But you might be questioning yourself if you could give all the nourishment and care it needs. Talking about the Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’, it is effortless to grow plants.

Hence, it won’t take much effort. With minimal effort, you can grow it to its full potential. 

When growing Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ in your home, keep the pot in bright indirect or partial sunlight with a temperature range of 68-80°F. Ensure the humidity is between 70-80%, and use a potting mix with proper drainage and aeration. Fertilize once every two to three months.

Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ is an evergreen tropical plant, a rare hybrid of the Anthurium genus.

The large heart-shaped velvet leaves add beauty to any home, making it one of the most sought-after plants among indoor plant enthusiasts.

Let’s head in to know all about one of the rare tropical plants and how to care for it properly.

Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ Overview

Before diving into all about growing the Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’, let’s briefly overview the plant.

Scientific Name	Anthurium 'Ace of Spades'
Common Name	Anthurium 'Ace of Spades'
Native	South America
Family	Araceae
Genus	Anthurium
Nature	Tropical
USDA	Zone 10-11
Plant type	Evergreen
Growth size	2 to 3 ft with broad spread
Foliage	Heart Shaped Velvety Leaves Around 2ft wide and 2.5ft long
Availability	Rare
Toxicity	Toxic to humans and pets
Speciality	Purifies Air, Removes harmful chemical like ammonia and formaldehyde

Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’: For SALE

Being a rare hybrid plant, Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ is generally not easily available and is sold out in most stores.

And if you can find the plant online, it will usually cost very high. Either way, let’s look at some of the sites where you can get the plant.

Sites	Specification
Etsy	Pros: Affordable Options, Large Variety of sellers to choose from Cons: Longer Delivery time of (almost 2-3 weeks)
House of Aroid	Pros: Free Phytosanitary and free shipping worldwide over 600 USD, Cons: Delivery time of around 1-2 weeks, Single Payment Option (Paypal)
Aroid Plant Shop	Pros: Free Phytosanitary and free shipping on orders over 600 USD, Returns within 14 days of delivery Cons: Single Payment Option (Paypal)

Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’- Care Hacks

Being a plant parent can get hard, especially if you get a high-maintenance plant. But with an easy plant like the Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’, you won’t be a difficult job to do.

The plant is a very easy grower, and with the proper care, you will have some magnificent heart-shaped leaves in your indoor garden. 

The low-maintenance and easy growing are why the plant attracts most indoor growers, and yes, how can we forget the beauty it adds to our homes. 

So, let’s head into the step-by-step guide to growing a fresh and healthy Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’.

Factors	Optimal Conditions
Sunlight	Provide indirect sunlight or partial sunlight
Watering	About every 2-4 days, once every week during winter
Temperature	Maintain a temperature of 68-80°F
Humidity	Maintain the humidity between 70-80%
Soil Condition	Acidic to neutral soil with good drainage and aeration
Fertilizing	Every 2 to 3 months from March to September use high phosphorus plant fertilizer
Repotting	Repot once every two or three years
Pot Size	Around 5-8 inches, 1-2 inch larger pot for repotting
Pruning	Only if the leaves get old or dry
Propagation	Stem cutting
Common Pests	Spider mites, Mealybugs, Thrips, Aphids, and Scales.
Bacterial diseases	Bacterial Blight, Bacterial Wilt, Rhizoctonia Root Rot, Phytophthora and Pythium Root Rot.

1. Adequate Sunlight and Proper Location

So, when talking about plant care, sunlight is probably the first thing that comes to our minds.

Talking about the Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades,’ the plant likes to be in partial light and not under direct sunlight. 

The plant requires sunlight to maintain its foliage’s color and sustain its growth, thus make sure the pot gets indirect or partial sunlight.

Direct sunlight could be a little too harsh for Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ as it could quickly get sunburns, and the leaves could get brown and crumble off.

Whereas too little light can lead to slow growth of the plant, and the magnificent leaves can lose their beautiful colors.

You can also keep the plant next to the east or even west-facing window to get some light from the morning sun.

Make sure the plant receives enough sunlight. In situations where the plant doesn’t get enough light, we can also use artificial grow light to let the plant thrive.

Although the plant can survive in low lights, it is best to supplement it with artificial light in low light conditions.

Know about different light colors’ effects on plants and find out: What Light Color is the Best for the Plant’s Growth?

2. Watering Schedule

The Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ loves to be in moist soil but doesn’t fancy staying in soaked soil.

The plant requires medium watering, meaning you can let the soil get slightly dry, mainly in the top 1-2 inches between each watering session.

Watering around 2-4 times a week during spring and summer would be fine. Whereas in winter, cut down the watering to about once a week, as you can let the soil go a bit drier.

You can even use a moisture meter to check the soil’s moisture or check with your fingers before watering.

Overwatering Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ is a big no, no. Overwatered Anthurium will rot the root leading to brown and mushy roots, and the stems will also be discolored.

Tips to Properly Water Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’

• Always check the soil before watering.
• Use soft, stagnant water. You can go with rainwater or distilled water free from the toxic mineral found in tap water. Rainwater also has nitrates, which will help better grow the plant.
• Avoid overhead watering or splashing water on the leaves, leading to fungal and bacterial diseases on the plant.
• Due to its sensitivity to low temperatures, cold water might stress the plant and damage the roots. So, always use small amounts of soft, lukewarm water.
• In case the soil is well-draining, the watering frequency should be increased accordingly.

Watering Cans; an essential for gardening, there is no argument on that. Find out your perfect piece with 10 Cute Mini Watering Cans for Indoor Plants

3. Warm Temperature

You will be able to grow a magnificent Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ in a warm environment of around 68-80°F throughout the year.

You can go lower temperature temporarily, but even for short intervals, a temperature below 50°F isn’t recommended.

As I said earlier, you don’t want to keep it in extreme temperatures, especially during the winter, as the plant can die due to frost injuries.

According to hgic.clemson.edu, frost conditions damage the plants’ cells by freezing them, thus damaging the plant from the inside.

So, keep the plant indoors in warmer places to keep it healthy and last a lot longer.

Hot temperatures during summer, especially above 90°F, can burn the plant’s leaves.

Tips for Maintaining Ideal temperature

• Keep the room well ventilated, mainly during the spring and summer seasons.
• You can also use an artificial HVAC system to maintain the ideal temperature for the plant but ensure you don’t direct it towards the plant.
• During winter seasons, frost cover and heating pads can also be used to save the plant from cold stress.
• Bring it inside during colder days.
• Place young plants in a terrarium or a mini greenhouse.
• During summers, mist the plant often to keep the plant from overheating.
• Avoid placing the plant near heat vents and radiators.

4. High Humidity

Like most tropical plants, humidity is one thing you can never skip while growing the Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’. 

Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ Plant loves about 70 to 80% of humidity, i.e., they thrive in high humidity levels.

Generally, most of our rooms have a humidity of only about 20% to 40%, which is not enough for the plant to stay fresh and sustain its large magnificent leaves. 

Signs of Low Humidity in Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’

• Leaves turning yellow or brown
• Leaf Scorch
• Curling leaves
• Wilting Stem or Leaves

Tips for Maintaining Ideal Humidity Levels

• Misting
  • • Misting is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to give the plant the moisture it wants.
    • Just spray the plant’s leaves a couple of times a week, and you are good to go.
    • But high moisture and high temperature might lead to fungal disease development. 
• Investing in a Humidifier
  • • If you don’t want to spend your time doing the hard work, you can invest in a humidifier.
    • It will help your Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ stay fresh and grow efficiently.

• Grouping the plants
  • • Another great way to add humidity is to group all your plants in one place.
    • By creating your small private jungle, the water evaporation from the leaves of the plants will help increase the humidity.
    • But this also does increase the chance of pest and disease infestation
• Pebble Tray
  • • Creating a pebble tray is an effective way to increase the humidity.
    • The pebbles hold the water above the plant, and as the water evaporates, it creates moisture around the plant.  

5. Well-Draining Soil

So, the most crucial part, what would that be other than soil, right?

Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ grows best in slightly acidic soil to neutral with about a pH level of around 6.1-7.3. 

The plant’s roots don’t prefer compact soil that retains water for long, and soil with poor air circulation is also a NO.

Adding sand and perlite to the potting mixture also helps in aeration, whereas adding in the orchid mix increases fertility. 

You can also DIY your potting mix to achieve the best conditions for your plant. Some of the most accessible DIY mixes are,

• 2 parts orchid mix
• 1 part peat
• 1 part sand or perlite.

Another easy mix for the plant is using 1 part sand and 1 part cocopeat.

Here are some commercial Soil Mix suitable for Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’,

• Burpee Premium Organic Potting Natural Soil Mix
• Miracle-Gro Indoor Potting Mix
• Espoma Organic Potting Soil Mix

6. Diluted Fertilizer

So, when it comes to leafy plant-like Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’, it doesn’t require constant nourishment.

Every 2 to 3 months, from March to September, you can add regular all-purpose fertilizer, which will do the job. 

Leafy plants like the ‘Ace of Spades’ will generally do better with high phosphorus fertilizers. But you always need to dilute the fertilizer to its 1/4th strength before adding it to the plant.

During the winter season, when the plant goes dormant, you can also go without fertilizing the plant at all.

You can also get high phosphorus plant fertilizers from Amazon:

• Indoor Plant Food by E Z-GRO,
• Triple Super Phosphate 0-46-0 Easy Peasy, 
• SEA-90 Organic Fertilizer.

Tips to Properly Fertilize Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’

• Make sure to water the plant before fertilizing the plant. Adding fertilizer to dry soil might burn the roots.
• Do not go overboard with the fertilizer, leading to fertilizer burns on the plant and salt buildup on the soil.
• You can also go with organic fertilizer for your Anthurium.
• Layer the compost to the top inch of the pot and gently work with the potting mix. Slowly the organic compost will get with the overtime acting as a slow fertilizer.
• Since this fertilization takes longer, you can add compost into the pot every once or twice a year. The best time to add compost is when the plant gets into its growing season during the early spring.

7. Features and Growth Rates

Don’t expect the Anthurium plant to grow much or even grow fast. It is a slow grower taking almost 2 to 3 years to develop fully. 

If you still want a faster pace from your plant, then placing a pole in the pot will help increase the pace by a bit. 

The center of attraction, the plant’s heart-shaped leaves grow up to 2 feet in width and about 2.5 feet in length. As the leaves grow, they go from red to dark green. 

You will notice silvery-white venation in a new leaf against the resounding green foliage.

Talking about the plant itself, it also doesn’t grow much, with only about 2 to 3 feet in height, making it a great addition to your indoor garden. 

Ace of Spades does produce a narrow purple-brownish spathe, but it is more cherished for the breath-taking foliage than the spathes’ fragrance.

8. Potting and Repotting

When talking about pots for Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’, the plant prefers a pot with a low, plastic pot with good drainage, and you can use pot sizes of around 5-8 inches. 

One benefit of growing ‘Ace of Spades’ is that it makes your job slightly easier as you don’t have to transplant it frequently.

Generally, you will need to transplant the Anthurium only once every two or three years. While repotting, always repot during early spring when the plant enters its growing season.

Signs to Repot Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’

• The plant outgrows the pot,
• It has withered leaves even after regular care,
• The root veins outgrow and become visible.

Steps to Repot Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’

• Get a slightly bigger(1-2 inches) pot than the previous one.
• Cover the drainage hole with a mesh to let the soil from escaping out.
• Use a similar potting mixture to the previous one.
• Now, rinse the plant’s roots to check for any signs of root rot. In the case of brown roots, use sterilized shears to remove them.
• Place the plant gently in the potting mix and fill the container with the potting mix.
• Finally, water the plant thoroughly, and you are good to go.

Minimal Grooming for Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’

Another job off your shoulders, the plant doesn’t need any frequent pruning as you would expect in other plants. 

You only need to prune the plant if the leaves get old or dry. But you don’t need to prune the size of the plant unless you want to have a desired shape or size. 

While pruning, always prune with sterilized shears to reduce the chances of infectious disease. Start by removing wilted, brown, and damaged leaves.

You can also yank the leaves that have been out of their natural shape. But don’t overdo it, even during heavy pruning. At least keep 3 to 5 leaves on the plant.

You may be wondering, but at what season should I prune? If you are pruning it, the best time would be during the beginning of spring and even early summer.

Pruning is also crucial to keep the plant healthy. Cutting off the damaged or unhealthy leaves will save the plant’s energy to produce healthy green foliage.

Is Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ Toxic?

YES, it is toxic to both pets and humans, as it contains calcium oxalate crystals.

Be careful while handling the plant, as it can cause temporary irritation, itching, and redness on the skin.

It is hazardous when ingested, leading to nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal issues. Keep Ace of Spades out of reach of children and pets.

It would always be better to consult or rush to a doctor if ingested.

In case of intoxication Contact the American Association of Poison Control Centre at 1-800-222-1222 for humans and ASPCA at (888) 426-4435 for pets.

Propagation Methods for Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’

You don’t need to worry about propagating the Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’. It is as easy as propagating other plants. You can do it all by yourself without any hassle.

Propagation by stem cutting is an easy and convenient way to propagate the plant.

Here we will look at the two easiest methods of propagating the plant.

1. Stem Cutting method ‘Using Soil’

• Choose a stem longer than 3 inches and with some leaves on it, 
• Cut the stem using a disinfected sharp knife, 
• Remove the leaves from the bottom of the stem and leave around two to three leaves at the top,
• Prepare a separate pot with the potting mixture,
• Place the stem in the middle of the pot and water it,
• Place the pot in indirect sunlight, and keep watering it.

Following this step-by-step guide, you will be able to see new growth in just a couple of days.

And in about 1-2 weeks, as the root starts developing, you can start treating it like an adult Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ plant.

Also Watch,

2. Stem Cutting method ‘Using Water’

The stem cutting method using water is similar to the technique using a different medium to propagate the plant.

• Start by selecting a healthy stem with at least 1 or 2 nodes and a leaf. You can also select the section with aerial roots as they are pretty effective while growing in water.
• Cut the 4-6 inch section below the node or aerial roots with sterilized shears or knives.
• Take a clear jar and fill it with water. You can use any jar, but with a clear jar, you will be able to see the growth better.
• Place the stem cutting into the water by submerging the nodes or the aerial roots. The leaves should not be touching the water.
• Change the water once or twice a week, and in a few weeks, you will be able to see healthy amounts of new roots growing.

• When the roots get to about 2 to 3 inches, you can plant them into a pot with a proper potting mix for the plant.
• Water the plant regularly, and then you are good to go.

3. Root Division Method

Summer is the best season for the propagation, thus wait till it arrives, and then:

• Gently remove the Ace of Spades from the planter.
• Clean the dirt till the central stem is visible.
• Look for easy-to-separate offshoots and roots.
• Now, do a cutting and divide the plant into two halves. The top half with roots and leaves, and the bottom half stumped with the remaining roots.
• Make sure that both halves have a root system.
• Leave them until you see the callus.
• Plant them into a separate container.
• The stump should be visible, i.e., above the soil surface when planting.
• Keep the soil moist soil and maintain high humidity by placing plastic bags with holes over the individual plants.
• Feed them with their regular and diluted fertilizer until they stabilize. And there you go with two beautiful Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’

Common Problems in Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’

1. Pest Infestation

The Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ is not either pet-friendly or pest-friendly. 

Luckily pests don’t fancy the plant much. So, there will be very low chances of you encountering a bug or some other pest while looking after the plant.

However, it doesn’t mean you can neglect the plant; it is necessary to give it proper care.

In a low humid environment, spider mites still can occur, and remember, an unhealthy plant is more susceptible to bugs.

The plant may also get other pests like Mealybugs, thrips, aphids, and scales.

Pest	Symptoms
Mealybugs	Waxy fluffy wingless insects on the houseplant on the leaves and stems. Stunting, wilting, chlorosis, and defoliation.
Spider mites	Yellow or bronze spots on the leaves and web cluster on the plants, Wilting, dropping, or discoloration of the undersides of the leaves.
Aphids	Small, Pear-shaped insects commonly found on most plants. Yellow, Twisted, and Curled Leaves. Stunted Plant Growth or Dead Shoots.
Scales	Honeydew on the foliage or on other plant parts. Round or ovular bumps on the foliage or stems. Yellow leaves, premature shedding, or poor growth.
Thrips	Tiny rice-like flecks on the plant due to feeding damage. Stunted growth, Discolored spots on the foliage.

Treatment and Preventive Measures

• Treat the plant with neem oil to fight the pests.
• Splashing the plant with water might also help get rid of the insects. But make sure to leave them dry to avoid the spread of diseases.
• Use a pyrethrin-based insecticide to get rid of the scales, and for Mealybugs, use a Malathion-based spray.
• Wipe the plant’s leaves with horticulture soap water to prevent and eliminate the pests.
• Always use a commercially certified Aphid-free potting mix to prevent Aphid infestation.

2. Disease Infestation

Yet another great news, the Anthurium plant is quite resistant to disease.

But like mentioned already, too much moisture and high temperature will increase the risk of fungal and bacterial diseases.

So, avoid overwatering the plant and follow the care guide properly to grow a disease-free Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades.’

Here are the common diseases on the Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’. 

Diseases	Causative Agents	Symptoms
Bacterial Blight	Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae	Yellowed (chlorotic), water-soaked lesions in the leaf edges.
Bacterial Wilt	Ralstonia solancearum	Yellowing Leaves, Leaves veins and stems turn brown and bronze.
Rhizoctonia Root Rot	Rhizoctonia solani	young stems are girdled and water-soaked being unable to support the plant
Phytophthora and Pythium Root Rot	Phytophthora nicotianae var. parasitica and Pythium splendens	Wilting plants even with adequate soil moisture, root sloghing, black to brown leaf lesions on the leaves.

Treatment of Bacterial Diseases

• Use fungicides with Copper, Mancozeb, and Bacillus subtilis to fight Bacterial blight.
• Phosphorus-rich fertilizers will help prevent and treat bacterial diseases.
• For Rhizoctonia Root Rot, use fungicides with thiophanate methyl and Medallion.

Preventive Measures of Bacterial Diseases

• Lower the humidity with increased air circulation and proper ventilation.
• Isolate the infected plant and frequently sanitize the growing environment for all plants.
• Avoid overhead watering and try to keep the leaves dry.
• Always scrape off the soil and steam sterilize the pot of the infected plant before using it for another plant.
• Use disease-free propagation materials and sterilize all the equipment.

FAQs about Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’

Does Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ Climbs?

Yes, species of Anthurium are epiphytic, they are natural climbers that live in the tree, and while growing at home, they can be kept in hanging baskets.

Why does my Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ have dull leaves?

The leaves looking dull and losing their glossy shine is mainly due to lack of humidity. As tropical plants require higher humidity levels.

Make sure you provide enough humidity and moisture to the plant.

What does a dying Anthurium look like?

Overwatering or underwatering can be the common causes of a dying Anthurium plant. Too much water can cause root rot and kill the plant, whereas the leaves can get dry or brittle with underwatering. 

Generally, if your Anthurium is dying, you can notice signs like brown leaves, and brown spots on the stem, and the root also might be rotting.

It can be due to various factors, including overwatering or bacterial diseases.

Can I grow Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ Outdoors?

As I said, Anthurium thrives in bright indirect light, so while growing the plant outdoors, make sure you keep it away from direct sunlight.

Also, they don’t like to stay in windy places, so you should be able to protect them from the wind while providing an ideal temperature of 68-80°F and humidity of 70%-80%. 

So, you can grow Anthurium outdoors, but it would always be best to get them indoors in their favorable habitat.

Conclusion

With this complete guide, we probably have answered all your questions regarding the plant and helped you with the step-by-step guide to growing the best Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’ plant. 

Keep the rare hybrid plant in all the right conditions with proper care, and you will have magnificent heart-shaped leaves in your home in no time.

It is low maintenance and very tolerant plant, so you won’t have much hassle while growing it to its full potential.

So, let’s buckle up and start growing the Anthurium ‘Ace of Spades’.

Let me be clear, Anthurium offers a wide range of varieties: Here are the articles on some of the Anthurium such as: Rotundistigmatum, Plowmanii, Angamarcanum, and Fingers with their optimal needs.