Anthurium are attractive exotic plants with lustrous dark green, oblong, heart-shaped leaves that thrive in low light environments. The long-lasting, beautiful flower bracts have a protruding pale yellow, tail-like flower spadix and are colored red, rose, pink, and white. The flower bracts have a puckered appearance and a lacquered-looking sheen.
Each plant will produce four to six flowers throughout the year since anthurium blooms essentially continually. Each flower can be cut, placed in a vase of water, or left on the plant for around six weeks.
How many different shades of anthurium exist?
There are numerous sizes and varieties of anthuriums. You can get them in large- or small-flowered types as cut flowers or container plants. Their flowers come in a variety of shapes as well, including elongated, heart-shaped, and tulip-shaped blooms. They also come in a variety of colors, so that’s not all. Here are some creative uses for various colored Anthurium types as cut flowers and container plants.
The colours of Anthuriums as cut flowers and plants
Pink, orange, red, green, purple, black, yellow, salmon, brown, and even blue are among the colors that anthuriums can be.
There is no doubt that anthuriums come in whatever color you could desire! They are available for purchase at florists, supermarkets, plant stores, and garden centers. You can read more about caring for your Anthuriums here.
Do anthuriums come in a range of hues?
Anthuriums with a single hue, like the red variety, are called solid colors. But as was already mentioned, the anthurium has many additional hues. There are numerous different colors, including white, green, yellow, orange, pink, salmon, purple, brown, and black.
Do you adore Ultra Violet, the 2018 Pantone color of the year? If so, you’ll adore the Utah Anthurium, a purple species with stunning plant structure in addition to its enormous flowers. Or examine the tiny Zizou, which has blossoms in the form of a purple ribbon.
What anthurium is the rarest?
Anthuriums are a humorous species. Either they are plentiful, like the lovely blossoming variety, or they are elusive and difficult for collectors to get. In either event, they are cherished for their unique floral structures and captivating foliage and are among our most beloved houseplants. Here, we show you to some of this delightful plant’s most beloved species—some of which you can already own and others which we eagerly want to introduce to the Greenhouse as soon as possible.
What Makes an Anthurium?
Flowering plants belonging to the genus Anthurium are indigenous to humid, forested regions of southern Mexico, Central America, and South America. Many anthurium species are epiphytic, meaning they live attached to rocks or taller plants and draw their water and nutrients from their surroundings rather than the soil. Some anthurium species are terrestrial.
While the leaves can vary greatly between species, the bloom—or, more precisely, the cluster of tiny blooms—that develops on a long, slender structure known as a spadix is what makes an anthurium distinctive. The flat, vivid spathe that surrounds the spadix in many species is what frequently grabs the most attention.
Anthuriums are frequently divided into two groups by houseplant collectors. First, there are “Anthuriums that bloom, which are typically accessible and prized for their cheery, persistent spathes. When little else is blooming throughout the winter, these plants add a pleasant splash of color to our homes. The second group is frequently referred to as “leaves of anthuriums. These intriguing species are far more rare and highly prized by collectors. The foliage’s shape, pattern, and size are what attract the greatest respect for these rare beauties. And one of them is being enjoyed by a lucky plant parent in their collection.
Flowering Anthuriums
These are the anthuriums that we encounter most frequently; they are a familiar and cheery sight in the greenhouse and draw our attention with their vivid color. The long, slender stems of the flat, heart-shaped spathes, which are available in hues of red, pink, green, and white, stand tall among clusters of heart-shaped, leathery foliage.
Anthurium plowmanii
Anthurium plowmanii is one of many anthurium species where fascinating foliage predominates over showy flowers. Its narrow, sword-shaped leaves spread out in a dense cluster from the center of the plant, and each is gently rippled along the entire edge, resembling a bird’s nest fern. A. plowmanii is the most probable species among the harder-to-find anthuriums to be found in the greenhouse.
Anthurium veitchii
Anthurium veitchii is a young plant that doesn’t yet show much promise of becoming one of your collection’s most spectacular specimens. When the foliage has fully grown, it can sometimes grow to be four or five feet long, highly corrugated, and glossy dark green in hue. It makes sense why it is referred to as the “king anthurium.” These are something that we constantly seek out, yet finding them might be challenging.
Anthurium crystallinum
Anthurium crystallinum is a very beautiful foliage houseplant that stands out from the competition thanks to its sizable, velvety green leaves and clean, white venation. The demand for this item among collectors is extremely high because it is so uncommon. It might just be one or two at a time when we locate it for the Greenhouse collection.
Anthurium clarinervum
Another extremely unusual discovery—we’ll be pleased to locate even one—Anthurium clarinervum is sometimes mistaken for A. crystallinum because of their similar dark green hue and contrasted venation. However, the leaves of A. clarinervum are more conventionally shaped like hearts and have a harder, some even say cardboard-like, texture.
Anthurium Care
Anthuriums prefer a lot of bright, indirect light—not direct sun—and humidity, in line with their natural home in shaded, tropical forests. If it’s not possible to provide them a home in a well-lit bathroom or kitchen, a room humidifier or a pebble tray will also work.
The best potting soil is loose, well-draining, and nutrient-rich because many anthuriums in the wild cling to trees where they endure periods of intense rain that drain away quickly. For the ideal mixture, you can try adding some bark-based orchid potting mix to a high-quality all-purpose potting mix. No anthurium loves to sit in water for an extended period of time, so water the mixture well when the top is dry and let it drain well.
Hard-to-Find But Worth the Hunt
When one of the rare anthurium species arrives home, it is a terrific day for a plant collector, and we understand precisely how it feels. We constantly look for anthuriums to bring to the Greenhouse, so when we do, it’s a cause for celebration. If you currently own one and have any inquiries, do so. We’ll be ecstatic to enjoy it with you and will be happy to assist you in any way we can.
Do purple anthuriums exist?
A beautiful purple blossom in the shape of a tulip is produced by purple anthurium plants. As you may already be aware, anthuriums weren’t originally available in a wide range of hues. In actuality, after the 1940s, most of the hues you see today were developed. Even more recent than that is the hue purple. It was likely created for the first time after 1980, in my opinion.
Anthurium andraeanum and amnicola were crossed to generate the flower known as andreacola. The best characteristics from both of its parent species seem to have been passed down to Andreacola. It inherited its compact size, its capacity to produce tulip-shaped flowers, and its resistance to the bacterial blight from the amnicola. It inherited the ability to produce bigger blossoms and a variety of hues, including, of course, purple, from the andraeanum.
Due to their somewhat reduced size compared to standard anthuriums, they make the ideal cut flower for compact bouquets. They last for several weeks and have an excellent vase life. They look fantastic when combined with white orchids or pink and pastel green anthuriums. The fact that these blossoms occasionally have a delightful perfume is another feature that distinguishes this kind. The majority of other anthurium blooms lack scent, but occasionally these flowers do.
They are also great indoor plants. They take up less space in your home because they are more compact than other varieties. Additionally, they are considerably hardery than other types, making them even simpler to maintain. Another advantage is that they are resistant to blight. You now have one less item to worry about as a result.
If you do choose to order one of these plants, aim to do so when the average daily temperature is around 70 degrees and the temperature range is small. These plants may be harmed by excessively hot or cold temperatures while being transported.
Aim to have a location for your new plant ready before it arrives after placing your order. There are several qualities that define the perfect spot. First, the temperature should be consistent and close to the optimal range of 70 to 80 degrees. Second, while it must not get direct sunshine, this area must be well illuminated. Your plant may be burned by direct sunlight. Third, while a high humidity level is preferable, you may make up for a low humidity level by spraying your plant with water each day.
The most important thing to remember when taking care of your new plant is to give it regular waterings. You should ideally water it each day. Wild anthuriums in the rain forest are used to receiving this, but you must also make sure that all of the water quickly drains out from the roots of your plant. If the roots are in contact with water for an extended period of time, they may develop root rot, which could be harmful to your plant.
How come my anthurium is not pink?
Anthurium maintenance is relatively simple. They need so little to continue to be appealing for so long. But occasionally, the color, feel, or appearance of their leaves can change or they can appear fairly dull. They can even generate new flowers that are still green. What is the ideal remedy? Here are some suggestions for maintaining your potted anthurium’s best health.
An Anthurium with green flowers
The Anthurium is likely receiving too much sunshine if the leaves start to turn yellow, thus the best course of action is to relocate it a meter away from the window. The Anthurium is not receiving enough light if it continues to produce new flowers that are green. You ought to position it a little bit nearer to the window in this situation. Old, yellowed leaves and spent flowers can be safely removed because the anthurium will just grow more blossoms!
An Anthurium with brown leaf margins or leaf tips
Brown leaf edges or leaf tips indicate that the watering of the anthurium is either excessive or insufficient. It would be better to feel the potting compost before watering. The Anthurium could use a spray of water if the potting compost seems pretty dry; however, if the potting compost feels moist, this can wait another week.
Do you want to learn more about maintaining anthuriums? To read our advice, click this link.
Which anthurium is best?
Light
Anthuriums require medium to bright indirect light to grow in our homes, though they will tolerate less during the winter months when they are dormant. Take care to cover them from scorching afternoon sunbeams as they are susceptible to direct light and burn rapidly.
Water
The key to caring for your anthurium (and all of your indoor plants!) is proper watering. During the growing season (March to September), keep the soil just barely damp, letting the top layer get close to becoming completely dry between waterings. Make it a habit to gently poke your finger into the ground once or twice a week to check on it. It should only feel slightly damp. Wait a little longer if it still seems damp.
Keep in mind that your home’s particular lighting and humidity, as well as the changing seasons and weather, can all have a significant impact on the amount of water your plants require. Your Anthurium might only need water every few weeks or so in the winter, or in the summer it might need it every few days. During the first few weeks after bringing your plant home, pay special attention to it and use your senses to get to know it. For example, how does it look? What does it need? What texture are the leaves? The soil feels how? Pay attention to what your plant is trying to tell you and make any necessary adjustments to your care routine.
Temperature
In order to properly care for your anthurium plants, you must be vigilant during the winter and shield them from drafty doors and windows. They are happiest between 65 and 70 degrees and will suffer or even pass away below that. Protecting your Anthurium from forced air is also crucial. If they are too close, heaters, fans, and air conditioners can harm plants, but gentle air movement (like an open window on a hot, muggy day) will help them.
Three young anthurium plants, from left to right: Anthurium pedato-radiatum “Fingers,” Anthurium clarinervium, and Anthurium veitchii
Humidity
Before taking an anthurium home, humidity should be taken into account because it is crucial to anthurium maintenance. High humidity is especially important for foliage kinds since they will suffer and frequently develop brown edges in the absence of it. Think about keeping your Anthurium in the kitchen sink area or a well-lit bathroom. If that isn’t feasible, you can mist your anthurium occasionally, keep a humidifier running close by, or place a simple pebble tray under the plant’s pot.
Soil
Some hybrids can be cultivated successfully in potting soil with careful watering by treating them like philodendrons and allowing the soil to get a little dry in between waterings. Anthuriums enjoy an environment more equivalent to an orchid mix, albeit this is because in their natural habitats they grow on the moss and leaf litter of tree branches. Typically, this is a mix of potting soil, peat moss, bark chips and/or mulch, charcoal, gravel, perlite or pumice, and sphagnum moss that is loose and permeable. Care for Anthuriums will be somewhat easier to manage if you use this kind of soil mixture.
Fertilizing
Anthuriums gain from routine, moderate fertilization. An indoor plant formula applied once every 6-8 weeks from March through September is sufficient for foliage kinds, however a formula for orchids or blooming indoor plants applied more frequently (every 3-6 weeks) will promote blossoms in flowering varieties.
Flowers
Many anthuriums are cultivated for their distinctive blossoms, which have nearly lacquer-like gloss and bright hues. What we commonly refer to as flowers are actually a multitude of incredibly tiny blossoms growing along the spadix (the thin, finger-like middle), with the outer, heart-shaped layer “In reality, a petal is a modified leaf known as a spathe. These “The glossy hue of a flower can linger in your home for months after you bring it home from the nursery since flowers have some of the longest life spans of any living thing. It is possible to get your Anthurium to bloom again, but it takes some time and attention. They will need frequent fertilization, constant but cautious watering, and brilliant filtered light (lower light will prevent them from blossoming). To help your plant focus its energy on new growth, gently prune spent blossoms.
Propagation
By gently splitting the roots, propagation is best accomplished during repotting in the early spring. Feel for roots that can be readily separated as you slowly pull the plant apart. Make certain that every piece has sound roots and at least one or two leaves.
Your Anthurium will thrive with a little extra care, but they are survivors and will typically put up with less-than-ideal conditions when necessary. Overall, they can be pretty simple to maintain and provide a certain certain beauty to a room.
Our 5 favorite Anthuriums
The anthurium veitchii (“King Anthurium)
Simply put, Anthurium veitchii is one of the most stunning leaves we’ve ever seen in our years of adoring tropical plants, which is why we adore it. The leaves develop into three long, vividly green, highly quilted/pleated leaves.
Crystalline x magnified anthurium
Why we cherish it: Beautiful velvety leaves with brilliant white venation can be found on this hybrid of two equally outstanding species. New leaves frequently sprout in vibrant crimson!
“Ace of Spades” Anthurium
Why we cherish it: The leaves of this hybrid with velvety leaves can be nearly black in color and have some lighter green venation. Dark, enigmatic, and wonderful!
superbum anthurium
Why we cherish it: A. superbum is one of many “bird’s nest Anthuriums” and develops as a thick rosette with lovely round, ruffled, and erect leaves.
Clarinervium anthurium
Why we adore it: You always wish for things you cannot have, don’t you? Sadly, it’s quite difficult to locate this small Anthurium in the US. It has velvety, heart-shaped leaves that are pleasantly cheerful. But it doesn’t mean we’ll give up looking!
Are you yet as enthused about Anthuriums as we are? Are you prepared to bring one home as your own? They are without a doubt one of our personal favorites, and Pistils frequently has them for sale. We always search for uncommon and unique kinds, and we will soon be receiving some exciting shipments. Call today to see what we have in the shop or follow us on social media to be the first to know when new shipments arrive!