Anthurium balaoanum is part of the Araceae family and its native range is Ecuador where it grows as a subshrub or epiphyte primarily in the wet tropical biome. Leaves are moderately coriaceous but thin, they are cordate with a very pronounced sinus.
Genus name is derived from the Greek ‘anthos’ for flower and ‘oura’ meaning tail; 'flower-tail', which possibly refers to the tail-like spadix. Specific epithet is from ‘Balao’, a small town in Ecuador.
Light: Bright indirect light, meaning the plant sees the sun for 0-4 hours per day - this could be through trees or a translucent curtain, it’s important for the plant to see the sky in order to thrive.
Water: Allow the first 2-3 inches of mix to dry out, pour water slowly over the top and allow the water to pass through the drainage holes.
Potting mix: A chunky, well-draining mix composed of coco coir, perlite or vermiculite, orchid bark and worm castings. You could also add coco chips and horticultural charcoal to create a more typical epiphytic mix.
Fertilising: Feed your plant every other watering during the growing season or when you observe active growth. You can dilute fertiliser to half the recommended amount but never add more.
Temperature: 21-32˚C.
Humidity: These Anthurium prefer higher humidity but do well to adapt to average home humidity. You can increase humidity by placing the plant on a watered pebble tray or using a humidifier.
Anthurium are toxic, keep out of reach of pets and children.