The anthurium is a popular plant among collectors and makes an excellent gift for any tropical plant lover. Part of the Araceae family, anthuriums include nearly a thousand diverse cultivars and comprise epiphytic, semi-epiphytic, and terrestrial plants.
Easy to care for, these plants offer a variety of specimens for all tastes, which will continue to impress with their magnificent leaves and flowers of varied colors and textures.
History & origins
Natural environment
Care & tips
Watering
Potting mix
Flowering
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 other plant types.
The generic name, Anthurium, is derived from the Greek words anthos and oura. A literal translation would be "flowering 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 genus Anthurium has been classified as belonging to the family Araceae.
Natural environment
Anthuriums originate from South and Central America. The vast majority of the most beautiful specimens are located on the western slope of the Andes Mountains, in the rainforests of Ecuador and Colombia. Other specimens are also found in southern Mexico and the West Indies.
Since anthuriums usually grow in humid tropical forests, they receive water daily. Anthuriums generally grow on trees, which means that rain falls on the plants and drains very quickly so as never to leave water accumulation around the roots. This allows the roots to receive water while remaining exposed to the air. This combination of elements is necessary to prevent the growth of harmful organisms.
You may have wondered how epiphytic anthuriums came to grow in trees. The answer is simple: birds! They eat the seeds which end up in their droppings and then fall onto tree branches. Anthuriums get just enough nutrients (from bird droppings) to begin their life cycle.
Taking good care of your anthurium: care & tips
Understanding the differences between epiphytic, hemi-epiphytic, and terrestrial anthuriums
To properly understand and master the care of your anthuriums, it is essential to know how to differentiate between the different types and varieties. This is an excellent indicator of their origin and their specific needs, which can help replicate an ideal environment.
Epiphytic
Epiphytes are plants that grow by clinging to other plants or surfaces, such as tree bark or rock walls. Not growing in the soil, these plants draw their nutrients from the air, water, and surrounding debris. Since epiphytic Anthuriums do not acquire their nutrients from the soil like their terrestrial cousins, they have developed various unique adaptations allowing them to survive in this nutrient-poor environment. These plants also generally require more humidity and frequent watering.
Hemi-epiphytic
While many people can recognize an epiphytic plant, hemi-epiphytic plants are a little less known. Hemi-epiphytic plants are plants that begin their life cycle on the ground and then continue their growth on a tree or another support. This type of anthurium will even move away from the light (knowing that it will easily be able to find it again) in order to cling to a tree. Hemi-epiphytic anthuriums will benefit from a support to climb and grow healthily.
Terrestrial
As you may have guessed, terrestrial anthuriums do not depend on other plants to grow. They grow in the soil, without assistance to support themselves. This type of anthurium requires a light and airy potting mix as well as less frequent watering to provide them with an environment conducive to root development.
How to water your anthurium
The key to success in anthurium care lies in watering. It is necessary to provide them with regular watering while allowing the roots to get 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 a well-aerated potting mix, 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 pebbles to increase the ambient humidity around the plant. Note, however, that it is important not to let the plant's leaves come into contact with the water!
Choosing the right potting mix for your anthurium
If you could visit a tropical rainforest, you would find that the soil is mostly composed of dead leaves, decaying wood, compost, and charcoal left behind by forest fires. By choosing the right potting mix for your anthurium, you are providing it with an environment similar to its natural state and thus conducive to its growth.
This is accomplished by using a potting mix that is light, airy, and drains well, such as our hoya and aroid potting mix. You can also make your own blend by starting with a quality potting mix and adding a variety of substrates to create the perfect texture. We recommend starting with a mix of about 20% high-porosity potting mix, 20% coco fiber, and 20% black pine bark. Then, add 10% sphagnum moss, 10% clay pebbles, 10% perlite, and 10% pumice stone. Optionally, you can also add about 10% activated charcoal to control humidity and temperature fluctuations, in addition to helping with resistance to fungal diseases.
Elements like potting mix, coco fiber, bark, and sphagnum retain moisture and release it slowly, while clay pebbles, perlite, pumice, and charcoal provide aeration to the mix and help roots grow healthily. Pine bark eventually decomposes, creating organic matter that enriches the soil. Your anthurium's roots will then get all the necessary moisture while 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 only reproduce during a particular season.
Although several anthurium species exhibit 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 exhibits an impressive characteristic. The female part matures first, so that the pollinator can deposit pollen on it, allowing the plant to acquire genetic material from another flower. The cycle restarts when the insect leaves it by rubbing against 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).
Maintaining an ideal temperature for your anthurium
Given its origin, your anthurium requires a comfortable temperature to grow healthily. Cold weather below 15 °C can drastically reduce your plant's growth rate and cause leaves to yellow. The ideal temperature for anthuriums is between 20 and 32 °C, depending on their species. It is also important to beware of direct sunlight, which can cause burns and dry out the leaves. The ambient humidity of the plant 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 for your anthurium
Anthuriums need a lot of trace elements (very small amounts of iron, zinc, etc.), minor elements (such as magnesium), as well as major elements (NPK, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, etc.). Since many of them are epiphytic or hemi-epiphytic, they absorb these elements through rain and other elements along the way (for example, volcanic debris, which contains minerals, nitrogen that becomes assimilable after lightning). It can be interesting to fertilize directly on the leaves, but this should be done with a very light mist (since at home, there isn't enough wind to dry them quickly).
In our production of rare anthuriums, we primarily use Stimyla as a fertilizer. We like to use it because it is composed of five living algae. It is a phytostimulant from the Magdalen Islands, comparable to superfoods for us (such as kale). It is more complete than Acadie 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 Acadie, which is gentler and will not cause this phenomenon.
Providing adequate lighting for your anthurium
Regular light bulbs simply do not provide enough intensity or the right spectrum to keep an anthurium specimen happy and healthy. Grow lights may make them "grow," but will probably not make them thrive.
What differentiates anthuriums (as well as spathiphyllums) from other Araceae is the geniculum. This is a part located on the petiole, at the base of the leaf, which allows the leaf to move in order to turn towards the light. The majority of anthuriums are able to detect light!
Is my anthurium toxic?
The sap and tissues of anthuriums are toxic to humans and animals due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. A strong burning sensation and an inflammatory reaction can occur if ingested or chewed, including the appearance of blisters and swelling. It is therefore essential to keep your anthuriums out of reach of children or pets.
The most beautiful anthurium species
Anthurium veitchii (King of Anthuriums)
Anthurium veitchii, also known as the "king of anthuriums", was one of the first anthuriums to be cataloged. It was discovered by Gustav Wallis, who brought it back to his employer James Veitch and sons, hence its name: veitchii. Its leaves can reach up to 6 feet long in its natural habitat with optimal conditions.
Anthurium warocqueanum (Queen of Anthuriums)
Anthurium warocqueanum was discovered in 1874, at the same time as Anthurium veitchii, by the same plant collector, Gustav Wallis. Its name means "empress of the jungle" in Latin and it is affectionately nicknamed the "queen of anthuriums". In its natural environment, the leaves can reach up to 6 feet long and have a velvety texture and metallic veins. The appearance of the leaves can vary from one plant to another, as well as on the same specimen (a fairly frequent characteristic in 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 quickly became a favorite among 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 beloved plant among collectors and plant enthusiasts. It produces dark green heart-shaped leaves with a velvety finish, deeply lobed, and contrasting white veins. Its distinct features give it an exotic look that will stand out in any decor.
Anthurium crystallinum (Crystal Anthurium)
The leaves of this superb 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 A. clarinervium. The main difference is that A. crystallinum has more elongated heart-shaped leaves, while A. 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 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 due to its rosette-like structure, produces wrinkled leaves that have almost a cardboard-like texture, in a full, lush green color. In nature, 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 magnificent species that produce unique, textured, bubbly, heart-shaped leaves. Hybrid varieties resulting from the cross between the two species are often found. When the plants are young, the new developing leaves are dark red. As the plant matures, the leaves take on a beautiful chocolate color, then darken even further to forest green. Their unique flowers range from pink to brown, giving an exotic feel to any room or decor.
Anthurium magnificum
An exotic aroid cultivated 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 sizes in their natural environment, up to 3 feet long and 2 feet wide! In addition, the plant blooms amazingly throughout the year with well-developed bisexual flowers.
Anthurium pendulifolium
Its long, ruffled leaves make Anthurium pendulifolium an interesting addition to any plant collection. This heat-loving plant instantly creates a tropical atmosphere in your home. Anthurium pendulifolium features thin, blade-like leaves that can reach 4 feet in length in its natural environment and hang downwards, making it ideal for hanging baskets.
Anthurium regale
Anthurium regale produces heavily veined heart-shaped leaves that start out pale and evolve to a darker green and velvety texture over time. This exotic plant is known for its incredible ability to reach a total height of about 6 feet in the right environment!
Anthurium villenaorum
Anthurium villenaorum is known for its long, beautiful, bold, dark green leaves. A pattern of white veins adds contrast to these unique semi-velvety textured leaves.
Anthurium faustomirandae
The fascinating huge leaves of Anthurium faustomirandae grow on long petioles but do not have the velvety texture common to other species. New leaves appear with a red coloration that turns gold and has a glossy finish. As they mature, the leaves become leathery and matte, even rubbery.
