Anthurium Cutucuense Care Guide [Updated 2023]

The fact that Anthurium cutucuense is an endangered species and less in supply makes them slightly expensive to acquire.

I paid $150 to get a tiny plant dominating my work desk.

However, growing these Ecuadorian species seems more challenging than other Anthuriums because they require a growing climate similar to their natural habitat.

Here is a complete guide to help grow, care for, and multiply your Anthurium cutucuense at home.

Overview of Anthurium Cutucuense

Did you know most cutucuense in the market was initially shipped from its native region, making it an endangered plant species in Ecuador?

Therefore, you should only buy a propagated plant from a sustainably grown nursery as a responsible grower.

Here is a brief overview of the Anthurium cutucuense plant.

However, you will be rewarded with a 2-feet tall plant that boasts amazingly bizarre trisect leaves with a bullate texture (covered with rounded swellings like blisters) with proper care and maintenance.

Anthurium Cutucuense Care Guide- Experts Reveal!

Maintaining the tropics-like climate at home is the first step to keeping your cutucuense happy.

The second and most crucial step includes keeping it away from common pests, diseases, direct sunlight, and low-humid conditions.

Remember to provide optimal care throughout the year to keep it looking healthy.

8-10 hours of bright, indirect sunlight	When the top two inches of soil dry out
Perlite-based potting mix or orchid mix	Phosphorus-rich plant food once in 3-months in the growing season
A combination of cool temperatures between 60 to 70°F (15-21°C)	70% to 80% Humidity
Repot only when the root ball engulfs the soil	Propagate via Stem cuttings

1. Sunlight & Temperature

One big mistake every grower makes is keeping their Anthurium close to the light source.

Similarly, too much heat can invite evaporation, and excess transpiration of water from the leaves, leaving dry, curled foliage.

Otherwise, your Anthurium will begin exhibiting unusual signs that tell whether it is light deprived or light-saturated.

Tips to Maintain Ideal Sunlight & Temperature

• An indoor-grown cutucuense would require about 75% light, which equates to at least 8 hours of sunlight.
• Place them in the north-facing or west-facing window to avoid direct sunlight exposure.
• Alternatively, you can keep them in the south-facing window if other directions lack ample sunlight.
• Cover it with a frost blanket or a plastic bag to prevent cold stress. Otherwise, place a heating pad under the plant pot.
• Also, avoid low light places, draft corners, and right in front of the air conditioner or heater.

2. Watering & Humidity

Anthurium cutucuense tolerates water and thrives in evenly moist soil; however, it does not need watering daily.

You can slightly raise the watering frequency to 5 days when the temperature regularly soars above 85°F, especially in summer.

However, yellowing, limping, and drooping foliage are the signs of overwatered plants.

On top of that, wilted & crispy leaves, brown leaf edges, and stunted foliage growth are the symptoms of underwatered plants.

Tips to Provide Adequate Watering & Humidity

• The rule of thumb is to wait until the top 2 inches of the soil dry out before watering.
• Use a soil moisture meter to assess soil moisture; anything above six on the scale indicates a dried plant.
• Alternatively, consider adding an electric humidifier to maintain the humidity to the desired level.
• Alternatively, insert your finger to check whether the top few inches of soil feel dry and crumbled.
• Cut back on watering for a severely overwatered plant until it seems to revive.
• Misting the plant leaves in the summer’s early hours may help increase humidity levels.

3. Soil & Fertilization

Anthurium cutucuense ideally grows well in a combination of potting mix that retains moisture and is well-draining.

However, avoid making the potting mix too compact to prevent excess water retention and possible root rot.

Fertilize your Anthurium cutucuense once every 3-4 months in the growing season to witness a healthy set of leaves.

Some over-fertilized Anthuriums may also exhibit browning foliage or burn spots.

Tips to Provide Proper Soil & Fertilizer

• Stick with one type of fertilizer; slow-release granular or Grow More fertilizer.
• Apply slow-release plant food rich in Phosphorus every 3-4 months.
• Alternatively, use diluted liquid fertilizer once every three months.
• Ensure the fertilizer does not touch parts of the stem and leaves to prevent burns.
• Cut back on fertilizing in early fall until late winter when the plant becomes dormant.

4. Rare Pruning

Due to the lack of bushy foliage, Anthurium cutucuense does not require occasional pruning.

However, remove dead and decayed leaves and stems annually to prevent attracting pests or diseases.

The major pests & diseases inhibiting the growth of plants are Scales, mealybugs, spider mites, Root rot disease & Bacterial Blight.

Tips to Prune

• Use sterilized pruners to prune the yellow, dead & damaged leaves.
• Apply fungicides containing copper, Benomyl, or Mancozeb onto the soil directly.
• Preliminary root rot can be treated by trimming the infected parts, including leaves, stems, and feeder roots.
• Fungicides containing phosphorous acid can be helpful in treating bacterial wilt.
• Treating bacterial infections may need an all-purpose Agrimycin.

5. Frequent Repotting 

Anthurium cutucuense needs repotting as it grows; however, a slow grower may not require frequent repotting.

Otherwise, slide out the plant and check for root bulb size in early spring.

It may be time to repot it when the roots engulf the soil or begin poking out the drainage holes.

Steps to Repot

• Start with getting a pot 2-inches larger than the previous one
• Fill the new pot to one-third with a potting mix.
• Gently slide out the plant from its pot and remove the soil from the roots.
• Inspect for visible signs of root rot (black, mushy, or dark roots).
• Trim the infected parts using a pruning shear and apply fungicide to the end to prevent infection.
• Gently place the plant into a new pot with roots facing down.
• Water it thoroughly until all the water comes out of the drainage holes.
• Now, set it aside in a warm location with enough indirect sunlight and wait for it to rebloom.

Toxicity of Anthurium Cutucuense

Anthurium cutucuense is considered a toxic plant to both humans and pets.

On top of that, every Anthurium plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that are harmful when ingested or exposed to bare skin.

It may cause swollen lips or tongues in humans and breathing difficulty when ingested.

In case of emergency, contact the American Association of Poison Control Center (AAPCC) at (800) 222-1222 or ASPCA Poison Center at (800) 426-4435 for pets immediately.

Growth Rate and Foliage

This variety of Anthurium does not grow any blossom, so the focus is entirely on foliage growth.

Thanks to its slow-growth rate, it enjoys a life of 10-15 years.

The Ecuadorian plant is known for its signature foliage, where a single node can grow three different leaves boasting bullate texture.

Moreover, each leaf could grow up to 2-3 feet. The downward-sloping leaf may resemble the snake plant slightly without its upward arching appearance.

It is limited to a few mountainous areas where it grows, climbing through cool forests; hence, many growers complain of poor foliage growth.

This anthurium cultivar does not produce flowers.

Propagating Anthurium Cutucuense

As you know, Anthurium cutucuense in the wild is considered endangered; hence propagating them would be a good idea to obtain a new plant sustainably.

However, It does not respond well to the root division method because cutting through the aroid bulb can leave it under stress.

Similarly, growing them from the seeds will be unachievable because finding seeds is impossible.

Read our article about propagating Anthurium plants at home.

Here is a quick stem-cutting propagation method for home growers.

1: Take the Cutting

• Select a healthy-looking, green stem with at least two nodes (leaf node).
• Cut the stem horizontally a few inches below the bottom node using a sterilized pruning shear.
• Leave a little stem (1/2 inch) below the bottom node to spare.

2: Prepare the Cutting

• Remove any leaf-like husks from the stem (Stipules that appear when new leaves grow).
• The larger the stems are, the better your Anthurium cutucuense will grow.
• However, do not remove the mature leaves from the stem, as they are a part of healthy stem cutting.

3: Choose a Potting Medium

Rooting in a soil mix vs. water will result in slightly different times.

a. Rooting in Potting Mix

For rooting in potting mix, consider applying fungicide and rooting hormone to the cut end to boost the growth rate.

• For powder rooting hormone, dip the end into the powder.
• Alternatively, apply cinnamon powder to the cut end to prevent fungal infections.
• Prepare a new pot with the appropriate potting mix and insert the stem cutting into it.
• Ensure at least one of the two nodes remains outside the medium.
• Thoroughly water the mix and set it aside in an area with a warm environment.

Do not forget to cover the plant with a plastic bag to induce a highly humid environment.

Voila! Your stem cutting will begin growing and producing new shoots in 5-6 weeks.

b. Rooting in Water Medium

• Take a glass or clear jar filled with distilled water.
• Apply liquid rooting hormone to the cut end or mix the rooting hormone in the water.
• Insert the cutting into the medium and set it aside in a warm location with bright indirect sunlight.
• Change the water every 4-5 days or when it becomes darker.
• Within a few weeks, the stem will begin sprouting feeder roots.
• Let it sit and wait 2-3 weeks to see new shoots appearing from the stem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Anthurium Cutucuense run out of supply?

Not really! With sustainable sources that rely on healthy propagation methods still in place, Anthurium cutucuense will likely thrive to grow in numbers as houseplants.

However, because many plants were uprooted from their native habitat to a level of extinction, they will remain an endangered species.

Can Anthurium Cutucuense grow taller?

Almost every Anthurium plant is a small grower; hence, they hardly reach over 3-4 feet tall.

With proper care and environment, the best chances are that your cutucuense will grow at most 2 feet tall and survive five to ten years or more.

Should your mist Anthurium Cutucuese regularly?

Although they enjoy a humid environment and love to be misted, especially in the warm season, you should not mist them frequently.

Moreover, excess misting will wet the leaves, causing the formation of bacterial blight.

Is a leggy Anthurium Cutucuense a problem?

A leggy cutucuense indicates a problem, especially when fertilizing them too often.

Ensure to fertilize them once in 3-4 months with a mild solution. Lack of adequate light may also cause leggy growth.