Anthuriums
Highly Variable and Collectible
For years, decades even, we’ve had ready access to an easily cultivated and hybridized set of Anthuriums known as “Flamingo Flowers”. While definitely a neat plant, that’s not the focus here. Instead, I love growing the much less common “Velvet Leaf Anthurium”, a group of species from tropical Central America and into parts of South America.
You may be surprised to learn that these exotic looking plants have actually been in cultivation for quite a long time – species from more southern regions such as Colombia have been grown in European hot houses since the late 1800s.
Conditions in situ
Pretty much all Velvet Leaf Anthuriums grow in highly tropical areas, with frequent rainfall and very high humidity. If you’ve never walked out into the tropics on an average day, the sensation is very similar to walking into the bathroom after someone’s taken a long, hot shower: the air feels heavy, almost like you can touch it, and in small spaces it’s downright foggy. If that’s not your natural home atmosphere, you’ll be perpetually compensating for the lack of humidity.
They also tend to grow on the jungle floor, or partway up trees (in the case of epiphytic species, such as A. pendens or A. warocqueanum), which means they get very filtered light rather than direct sun.
What’s the deal with the prices?
If you happened to look at the prices of these plants in late 2020 and through early 2021, you would have thought that everyone had lost their minds. More common species like A. clarinervium went for $150, while hard to find species such as dark-leaf A. warocqueanum went for easily $800 or more.
Why?
Because people really did lose their minds for a bit.
Trapped in the house during a pandemic, many people dove headfirst into collecting and growing tropical plants as a means of escape. The increase in demand but slow supply (they’re plants, after all) created a very rapid bubble effect. With the rise of “Buy, Sell Trade” groups on Facebook holding daily or weekly “purges”, where you had to claim a plant as rapidly as possible along with scores of other people, acquiring new plants took on a life of its own.
We seem to be past the peak of the bubble, which is good news for the plant lover: you can probably grab that wishlist plant you’ve dreamed of far more easily now, and at a much more reasonable price, than you could pre-pandemic.
General Care Requirements: Soil
I treat these like slightly needy orchids: I make sure their soil mix is chunky and has plenty of room for air to flow. Mixing orchid bark, pumice or perlite, and horticultural charcoal into the soil can significantly help the air flow of your soil blend. These plants have thick, chunky white roots that need plenty of air and space to roam. But don’t over-pot them; they thrive best when slightly root bound and fertilized regularly.
Potting for Success
Many beginners try to give their Anthuriums a nice, big pot to grow into – but that’s the opposite of what they need! Velvet Leaf Anthuriums thrive on a bit of root cramping, and if anything, should be kept under-potted until it’s almost absurd to bump them up.
Anthurium clarinervium
Beautiful Mexican species from the southern regions, where it’s more tropical. Semi-epiphytic, and commonly grows along the jungle floor.
Mature leaves stay small, rarely more than 6″ across, making these ideal as house plants.
Growing A. clarinervium
Basic cultivation: Like a cross between an orchid and a house plant; commonly referred to as one of the easiest Anthurium species to grow.
Soil: I’ve had the best success with a mix of 50/50 quality soil (fox farms or happy frog) with a mix of orchid bark and other porous, draining material, including pumice, horticultural charcoal, or perlite.
Watering: When dry, water thoroughly, but don’t keep them soggy. They seem to do best when let to go a little on the dry side, and then flushed – watered from the top until it is draining well out of the hole in the bottom of the pot.
Temperatures/Humidity: For perfect leaves, you’ll want ambient humidity at least at 60% almost constantly. Can tolerate night time lows in the mid 60s, but is not a fan – try to keep a fairly warm, stable 70 – 80F. I’ve grown mine outdoors in daytime highs up to the 90s in the shade, and they have been fine, but should be in full shade if it’s that hot out.
Fertilizing: I’ve used fish emulsion and a handful of synthetic fertilizers; I’m seeing the best results in most of my plants with regular, half-strength Dyna-gro Foliage+. Last year I began adding a bit of CalMag a few times during the growing season; I can’t say it made much difference.
Sun exposure or lighting: Indoors, needs very bright light, such as near a south facing window. Outdoors, should be in nearly full shade, or only a small amount of morning sun.
Propagation: You can divide via root or stem “chonks” and readily grow more from the various growth nodes. Does best during the warmest times of the year.
MORE COMING!
