Anthurium regale
Anthurium regale Care Guide
Featured photoanthurium-regale.jpgAnthurium regale is a velvet-leaf species from the Peruvian Amazon, distinguished by its broad, rounded leaves that can exceed 70 cm long on mature plants. The vein contrast is bold even by velvet-anthurium standards, with white-silver lines running across very dark green tissue. It needs warmth, high humidity, and an airy mix to keep leaves expanding to full size.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Water when the top 2 cm of mix dries; the rest should stay slightly moist year-round.
- Humidity
- 70–90 %
- Temperature
- 18–27 °C
- Soil
- Chunky aroid mix with extra orchid bark and a sphagnum top dressing.
- Toxicity
- Mildly toxic. Calcium oxalate crystals can cause skin and oral irritation. (humans) · Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA Anthurium listing). (pets)
- Origin
- Lowland rainforests of central and eastern Peru.
- Mature size
- 70 to 110 cm tall, leaves up to 90 cm long with age.
Overview
Anthurium regale was first described in the 1860s and is among the largest velvet-leaf anthuriums. It is closely related to A. crystallinum and A. magnificum but is generally larger than either, with rounder leaves than A. magnificum and broader leaves than A. crystallinum.
Care Priorities
- Provide a tall pot or a tree-fern slab for a stable rooting base.
- Hold humidity above 70 percent — leaves stop reaching full size below this.
- Bright, filtered light only; direct sun bleaches the leaves and dulls the venation.
- Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth every few weeks; do not use leaf-shine products on velvet surfaces.
Common Problems
Smaller-than-expected new leaves usually mean the plant is short on light or root space. Crispy edges signal dry air or hard water. Yellowing lower leaves at a slow pace is normal turnover; rapid loss is a root problem.
Sources & further reading (3)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-28
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-28
- toxicity-database — accessed 2026-04-28
Frequently asked questions
Regale vs magnificum — same plant?
No. Regale tends to be larger with rounder leaves and a round (not winged) petiole, while magnificum has clearly winged, four-sided petioles.
How quickly does it grow?
Two to four leaves a year indoors is normal. Each leaf takes weeks to fully harden off.
Should I stake it?
A stake helps once the plant is mature; the central stem cannot always support the weight of fully expanded leaves.
