Anthurium is a popular plant with collectors and makes a great gift for any tropical plant lover. Part of the Araceae family, anthuriums have nearly a thousand diverse cultivars and include epiphytic, semi-epiphytic and terrestrial plants.
Simple to maintain, these plants offer a variety of specimens for all tastes, which will never cease to impress with their magnificent leaves and flowers in varied colors and textures.
History & origins
Natural environment
Maintenance & advice
Watering
Potting soil
Bloom
Temperature
Fertilizer
Lighting
Toxicity
Species
History & origins
Anthuriums were among the first ornamental plants to find their way into European homes in the late 1800s. It was then common to find magnificent specimens of Anthurium crystallinum and Anthurium regale as decorative pieces among a variety of others types of plants.
The generic name, Anthurium , is derived from the Greek words anthos and oura . A literal translation would be “flower tail”: a very appropriate name given its inflorescence consisting of a spathe and a spadix on which the flowers are located. Due to this type of inflorescence, the Anthurium genus has been classified as belonging to the Araceae family.
Natural environment
Anthuriums come from South and Central America. The vast majority of the most beautiful specimens are located on the western slopes of the Andes, in the tropical forests of Ecuador and Colombia. Other specimens are also found in southern Mexico and the Antilles.
Since anthuriums usually grow in tropical rainforests, they receive water on a daily basis. Anthuriums typically grow on trees, which means that rain falls on the plants and drips off very quickly so there is never any pooling of water around the roots. This allows the roots to receive water while remaining exposed to air. This combination of elements is necessary in order to prevent the growth of harmful organisms.
You may have ever wondered how epiphytic anthuriums ended up growing in trees. The answer is simple: birds! They eat the seeds which are found in their excrement and then fall on the branches of trees. Anthuriums have just enough nutrients (from the bird's droppings) to begin their life cycle.
Taking good care of your anthurium: maintenance & advice
Understanding the differences between epiphytic, hemiepiphytic and terrestrial anthuriums
In order to fully understand and master the maintenance of your anthuriums, it is essential to know how to differentiate between the different types and varieties. This is a great indicator of where they are coming from and their specific needs, which can help replicate an ideal environment.
Epiphyte
Epiphytes are plants that grow by clinging to other plants or surfaces, such as tree bark or rock faces. Not growing on the ground, these plants obtain their nutrients from the air, water and debris around them. Since epiphytic Anthuriums do not acquire their nutrients from the soil like their terrestrial cousins, they have evolved various unique adaptations allowing them to survive this nutrient-poor environment. These plants also generally require more humidity and frequent watering.
Hemiepiphyte
While many people know how to recognize an epiphytic plant, hemiepiphytic plants are a little less known. Hemiepiphytic plants are plants that begin their life cycle on the ground and subsequently continue their growth on a tree or other support. This type of anthurium will even go so far as to move away from the light (knowing that it will easily be able to find it again), in order to cling to a tree. Hemiepiphytic anthuriums will benefit from a stake to be able to climb and grow healthily.
Earthly
As you may have guessed, terrestrial anthuriums do not depend on other plants to grow. They grow on the ground, without assistance for support. This type of anthurium requires light, aerated soil as well as less frequent watering to provide them with an environment conducive to the development of their roots.
How to water your anthurium
The key to success in maintaining anthuriums lies in watering. It is necessary to provide them with regular watering while allowing the roots to obtain air. We recommend watering enough to keep the soil moist at all times, without being soggy, in a pot that allows for effective drainage. By using well-aerated potting soil, excessive watering is avoided. It is recommended to mist the plant regularly to maintain good humidity. It is also possible to place your anthurium on a tray filled with water and clay balls to increase the ambient humidity around the plant. Note, however, that it is important not to let the leaves of the plant come into contact with water!
Choosing the right soil for your anthurium
If you could visit a tropical rainforest, you would find that the soil is mostly made up of dead leaves, rotting wood, compost and charcoal left behind by forest fires. By making sure you choose the right soil for your anthurium, you offer it an environment resembling its natural state and therefore conducive to its growth.
We accomplish this by using a potting soil that is light, aerated and drains well, such as our hoya and aroides potting soil . You can also make your own mix by starting with a quality potting soil and adding a variety of substrates to create the perfect texture. We advise you to start with a mixture of approximately 20% high porosity potting soil, 20% coconut fiber and 20%black pine bark . Next, add 10% sphagnum moss , 10% clay pebbles , 10% perlite , and 10% pumice . Optionally, you can also add around 10% activated carbon to control humidity and temperature variations in addition to helping resistance to fungal diseases.
Elements such as potting soil, coconut fiber, bark and sphagnum moss retain moisture and release it slowly while clay balls, perlite, pumice and charcoal provide aeration to the mixture and help roots grow healthy. Pine bark eventually decomposes, creating organic matter that enriches the soil. The roots of your anthurium will then get all the moisture they need while still being able to dry and move easily in their pot.
Flowering and pollination of anthuriums
Some anthurium cultivars freely produce flowers at any time of the year while others reproduce only during a particular season.
Although several species of anthuriums have what looks like a waxy flower, it is actually a spathe or modified leaf that envelops the flower and helps pollinators find them. It serves to protect the spadix, which contains several small flowers when in bloom. The spathe can come in several colors, such as red, pink, orange and white.
The flowering of anthuriums has an impressive feature. The female part matures first, so the pollinator can deposit pollen there, allowing the plant to acquire genetic material from another flower. The cycle begins again, when the insect emerges from it by rubbing on the pollen of the male flowers and then goes to pollinate another plant. The vast majority of flowers of different anthuriums also produce red or white berries (depending on the species).
Maintain an ideal temperature for your anthurium
Given its origin, your anthurium requires a comfortable temperature to be able to grow healthily. Cold weather below 15 °C can drastically reduce the growth rate of your plant in addition to causing the leaves to turn yellow. The ideal temperature for anthuriums is between 20 and 32 °C , depending on their species. It is also important to be wary of direct sunlight which can cause burns and dry out the leaves. The plant's ambient humidity should be between 60 and 80%, depending on the species. Some of them can survive with less humidity, like the classic red-flowered anthurium.
Fertilizer & fertilization of your anthurium
Anthuriums need lots of trace elements (very small amounts of iron, zinc, etc.), and minor elements (such as magnesium), as well as major elements (NPK, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium , etc.). Since many of them are epiphytes, or hemiepiphytes, they absorb these elements through rain and other elements as they pass (for example volcano debris, which contains minerals, nitrogen which becomes assimilable after lightning) . It may be interesting to fertilize directly on the leaves, but this using a very light mist (since at home, there is not enough wind to dry them quickly).
In our production of rare anthuriums , we mainly use Stimyla as fertilizer. We like to use it because it's made from five live algae. It is a phytostimulant from the Magdalen Islands, comparable to superfoods for us (such as kale). It is more complete than Acadia algae , but they can be used in tandem to increase the amount of nitrogen and potassium that plants need. Stimyla can only be used during the plant's active growth period, and it is important to filter it before each use so as not to block your sprayer. If the plant receives too much of this fertilizer, it will stop growing because it will not have time to evacuate the excess elements. This is another reason why it is good to alternate with Acadia, which is gentler and will not cause this phenomenon.
Provide adequate lighting for your anthurium
Regular bulbs simply don't provide enough intensity or the right spectrum to keep an anthurium specimen happy and healthy. Grow lights may be able to make them “grow” but probably won’t make them flourish.
What differentiates the anthurium (as well as the spatiphyllum) from other Araceae is the geniculum . It is a part which is located on the petiole, at the base of the leaf, and which allows the leaf to carry out movements in order to move towards the light. The majority of anthuriums are capable of detecting light!
Is my anthurium poisonous?
Anthurium sap and tissues are toxic to humans and animals due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. A severe burning sensation and inflammatory reaction may occur if swallowed or chewed, including blistering and swelling. It is therefore essential to keep your anthuriums out of the reach of children or pets.
The most beautiful species of anthuriums
Anthurium veitchii (king of anthuriums)
Anthurium veitchii , also known as the "king of anthuriums", was one of the first anthuriums recorded. It was Gustav Wallis who discovered it and reported it to his employer James Veitch and sons , hence its name: veitchii . Its leaves can grow up to 6 feet long in its natural habitat with optimal conditions.
Anthurium warocqueanum (queen of anthuriums)
Anthurium warocqueanum was discovered in 1874, along with Anthurium veitchii , by the same plant collector, Gustav Wallis. Her name means “empress of the jungle” in Latin and she is affectionately nicknamed the “queen of anthuriums”. In its natural environment, the leaves can grow up to 6 feet long and feature a velvety texture and metallic veining. The appearance of the leaves can vary from one plant to another, as well as within the same specimen (a fairly common characteristic among anthuriums).
Anthurium andreanum (Flamingo Lily, Painter's palette)
Anthurium andreanum , also known as "Flamingo Lily" or "Painter's Palette", is one of the most popular and recognizable houseplants available on the market. Requiring less humidity than some other species, it has quickly become a favorite with anthurium lovers! The iconic leaves and flowers are often cut and used in floral arrangements, and come in a range of colors depending on the anthurium variety or hybrid.
Anthurium clarinervium (Velvet Cardboard Anthurium)
Anthurium clarinervium is a plant adored by collectors and plant lovers. It produces dark green, heart-shaped leaves with a velvety finish, deeply lobed and with contrasting white veins. Its distinct features give it an exotic appearance that will stand out in any decor.
Anthurium crystallinum (Crystal Anthurium)
The leaves of this stunning tropical plant are heart-shaped, dark green or reddish purple with deep white veins that provide a beautiful contrast. Anthurium crystallinum is a close relative of clarinervium . The main difference is that Anthurium crystallinum has more stretched, heart-shaped leaves, while Anthurium clarinervium produces rounder, bubble heart-shaped leaves.
Anthurium forgetii
One of the most notable features of Anthurium forgetii is its lack of a sinus opening at the top of the leaf blade (a trait that most anthurium species possess). Anthurium forgetii has round, velvety leaves with intricate, contrasting veins that stand out in any plant collection.
Anthurium hookeri (Bird's Nest Anthurium)
Anthurium hookeri , also called "bird's nest" anthurium because of its rosette-like structure, produces wrinkled leaves that have an almost cardboard-like texture, in a full, lush green color. In the wild, Anthurium hookeri is epiphytic (meaning it grows without soil, in forest debris), making it a unique addition to your plant collection.
Anthurium radicans x luxurians
Anthurium luxurians and Anthurium radicans are beautiful species that produce unique, bubble-textured, heart-shaped leaves. We often find hybrid varieties resulting from a cross between the two species. When plants are young, the new developing leaves are dark red. As the plant matures, the leaves turn a beautiful chocolate color, then darken even further to a forest green. Their unique flowers vary from pink to maroon, giving an exotic feel to any room or decor.
Anthurium magnificum
Exotic aroid grown for its magnificent foliage, Anthurium magnificum is known for its large, velvety, dark green leaves, with contrasting white veins. Its leaves can also reach astonishing size in their natural environment, up to 3 feet long and 2 feet wide! Additionally, the plant blooms amazingly throughout the year with well-developed bisexual flowers.
Anthurium pendulifolium
Its long, ruffled leaves make Anthurium pendulifolium an attractive addition to any plant collection. This plant loves heat and instantly creates a tropical atmosphere in your home. Anthurium pendulifolium features thin, blade-shaped leaves that can reach 4 feet in length in its natural environment and hang downward, making it ideal for hanging baskets.
Anthurium regale
Anthurium regale produce heavily veined, heart-shaped leaves that start out pale in color and progress to a darker green and velvety texture over time. This exotic plant is known for its incredible ability to reach a full size of around 6 feet tall in the right environment!
Anthurium villenaorum
Anthurium villenaorum is known for its dark green, long, beautiful and bold leaves. A pattern of white veins adds contrast to these semi-velvet textured leaves unique to this species.
Anthurium faustomirandae
The fascinating, huge leaves of Anthurium faustomirandae grow on long petioles but lack the velvety texture common to other species. The new leaves appear with a red color that tends to gold and have a shiny finish. As they mature, the leaves become leathery and dull or even rubbery.
