dr block anthurium Anthurium Michelle® – Burgundy Foliage with White Veins

dr block anthurium Anthurium Michelle® – Burgundy Foliage with White VeinsAnthurium Michelle (DocBlock) Young leaves on Anthurium Michelle (DocBlock) can open in dark grey green, brown, burgundy or purple tones before maturing to a darker green velvet surface. The plant forms a compact basal clump, with each new leaf adding another layer above the pot. Mature leaves show a soft silvery sheen, pale green to grey green venation and a lighter underside with red to purple vein detail. The shallow fleshy roots need a breathable

Anthurium Michelle® (DocBlock)

Young leaves on Anthurium Michelle® (DocBlock) can open in dark grey-green, brown, burgundy or purple tones before maturing to a darker green velvet surface. The plant forms a compact basal clump, with each new leaf adding another layer above the pot.

Mature leaves show a soft silvery sheen, pale green to grey-green venation and a lighter underside with red to purple vein detail. The shallow fleshy roots need a breathable mix that drains freely after watering.

Foliage and growth details of Anthurium Michelle®

• Leaf shape: Cordate to narrow-cordate blades develop from the base of the plant.
• New leaf colour: Young foliage can show burgundy, purple-brown or dark grey-green tones.
• Mature surface: Dark green to grey-green velvet leaves develop a subtle silvery sheen.
• Venation: Pale green to grey-green veins stand out softly across the mature upper surface.
• Leaf reverse: Paler undersides can show red to purple vein colouring.
• Growth habit: Clump-forming basal growth with leaves emerging from a compact base.
• Root structure: Fleshy adventitious roots need a loose, well-aerated potting mix.

Growth habit and foliage development

Growth stays close to the crown: each leaf emerges from the basal centre, opens with stronger colour, then darkens as the blade firms. The silvery sheen and the contrast between the upper surface and pale reverse become clearer as the leaf matures.

The root system sits relatively shallow, so deep wet substrate can stress the roots before the leaves show clear symptoms. A chunky Anthurium mix keeps moisture available while leaving air pockets around the roots.

Care for Anthurium Michelle®

• Light: Place it in medium to bright filtered light. Direct sun can mark the velvet surface and fade tender new leaves.
• Water: Water when the top part of the mix has dried, then let excess water drain fully from the pot.
• Humidity: Higher humidity helps the soft new leaves expand evenly and reduces dry edges during unfurling.
• Temperature: Keep it warm, ideally in stable indoor temperatures around 15–29 °C.
• Substrate: Use a fast-draining mix with orchid bark, coco chips, perlite, pumice or similar coarse material.
• Airflow: Gentle airflow keeps moisture from sitting on velvet leaves in humid conditions.
• Fertiliser: Feed lightly during active growth and flush the pot occasionally if salts build up in the substrate.

Common issues with Anthurium Michelle®

• Marked velvet leaves: Direct sun, water droplets, handling damage or leaves touching hard surfaces can leave visible marks.
• Brown edges: Low humidity, irregular watering or mineral buildup can dry the margins.
• Yellowing and root decline: A dense wet mix can damage the shallow fleshy roots before the crown looks weak.
• Distorted new leaves: Humidity dips and dry air can interrupt soft new growth while it is unfolding.
• Pest pressure: Check velvet leaves, petioles and new growth for thrips, spider mites and mealybugs.

Safety for Anthurium Michelle®

Anthurium Michelle® is not intended for consumption. Keep it away from pets and children, as Anthurium leaves and stems contain calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the mouth and digestive tract if ingested.

Name etymology and cultivar background

The genus name Anthurium comes from Greek roots meaning flower and tail, a reference to the spadix. Michelle® is the DocBlock cultivar ‘BLOCANTMIC’, bred by Jeffrey Sherwood Block from an Anthurium magnificum line and selected after several generations of controlled self-pollination before commercial tissue-culture production.