7 Types of Anthuriums to Grow as Houseplants
When you hear "Anthurium", do you think of the ever classic flamingo flowers, with its beautiful shiny leaves and brightly colored flower spathes? Or do you think of dark green, velvety leaves with a hint of glitter? No matter what type or style of plant you're into, chances are the Anthurium genus will have the right plant for you. With over 800 different species in its genus, Anthurium plants have exploded in popularity over the recent years.
When it comes to picking types of Anthurium for your houseplant collection, it's important to note that not all Anthurium care is equal. Some Anthurium plants will only grow under the most pristine and proper care while others could go with a few missed waterings. I always advice to do some research on any plant before you bring it into your care, so you know if you're up for the challenge and can properly care for a plant you just spend money on. You can read more about Anthurium care as houseplants in our earlier blog.
If you want to know more about the right type of Anthurium plants for you, here is a curated list of 7 Anthurium plants you'll see most often, either online or in your local garden center.
Anthurium andraeanum
The Anthurium andraeanum, or Flamingo flower, is the most common type of Anthurium on the market. These can be easily found at any big box store or local garden center. They are known for their bright, colorful tall flowers with heart shaped spathes that can range in colors from red, orange, and even black. They also have light green, glossy leaves that have a slight heart shape to them.
Anthurium andreanum is one of the easiest types of Anthurium to have in your collection.
Anthurium Flamingo Flower
Photo by tabitha turner on Unsplash
Soil:
They like a bit of a chunky soil. The soil from the garden center is often too dense for the standard household condition and can led to root rot. Add some perlite and orchid bark to your mix and your Flamingo flower plant will be happy. You can click HERE to read more about the importance of amending your potting soil.
Watering:
While Anthurium andraeanum is a hardy plant, it will show signs of stress if you let it get too dry. Don't let the soil completely dry out before you throughly water again.
Light:
Anthurium plants don't typically like bright light, they're considered understory plants. Meaning, they grow under the thick green canopy of trees in the rainforests of South America. Indirect light, or by a shaded window is best for this type of Anthurium plant.
Humidity:
Anthurium andraeanum does wonders in normal household conditions. However, if you notice problems with new leaves, stuck leaves, or you're in a dryer region consider adding a humidifier close to your Flamingo flower.
Anthurium Crystallinum
Anthurium Crystallinum is a type of Anthurium that isn't commonly found in big box stores but can be easily found online and have been popping up in local garden centers that specialize in houseplants.
Anthurium crystallinum has pronounced dark green, oblong heart shaped leaves with a white, glittery mid vein running through out the foliage. Crystallinum is often the stepping stone into the more rare Anthurium varieties. You can enjoy this not so common Anthurium without stressing too much about the perfect conditions since this Anthurium can handle a bit of neglect.
Soil:
Make sure you have a chunky potting mix. Anthurium have thick soil roots and thick aerial roots that don't like to be kept in damp soil. You may find some use in mixing peat moss or sphagnum moss in your soil for extra water retention, especially if you live in a dryer climate.
Watering:
Anthurium varieties enjoy a thorough watering when it's watering day. Make sure to never let this Anthurium dry out too long. While it's okay with a missed watering every so often, it can start to suffer when left without water for too long.
Light:
Anthuriums will suffer if given too much light. Put this Anthurium a few inches away from a bright window or any shaded spot outside.
Humidity:
Anthurium crystallinum would thrive best in humidity level of 50% or higher. In my experience, they can handle lower humidity but that's where you may run into problems. Slower growth, leaves that don't fully form once its harden off, leaves that get stuck or torn leaves are all signs of too low humidity. If this is the case, try putting your Anthurium by a humidifier or in a greenhouse.
Heart Leaf Anthurium (Anthurium clarinervium)
Anthurium clarnervium, or the Heart leaf Anthurium is another type of uncommon Anthurium that is the gateway plant to the Anthurium world. Anthurium clarinervium has deep green perfectly heart shaped leaves. And similar to Anthurium crystallinum, clarinervium has a thick, glittery mid vein running through out the center of the leaf.
Anthurium clarinervium has grown in popularity not only for its beauty but for its ease of care. I find this to be on of the most hardy Anthurium, even more tolerant than the standard Flamingo flower.
Juvenile Anthurium clarnervium
Photo by Huy Phan
Soil:
This Anthurium plant likes a nice chunky potting mix. Equal parts of perlite, orchid bark and coco coir will help this plant thrive.
Watering:
Water when the soil is almost dry. In my experience, this Anthurium is quite forgiving with one or two missed waterings.
Light:
Keep your Anthurium in indirect light.
Humidity:
Humidity of at least 50%. But will be happy and grow in 40%.
Anthurium superbum
Anthurium superbum has a completely different growth pattern than most other Anthuriums. This Anthurium spp is a bird's nest anthurium, meaning it grows upright in a rosette form. It has wide dark green leaves with serrated edges and purple undersides. When keeping this Anthurium indoors, make sure to give it plenty of space since this plant will grow massive and spread outwards.
Anthurium superbum originates from the dense, humid rainforests in South America, specifically Ecuador. However, in household conditions, 50% humidity will be enough to help this Anthurium thrive.
Soil:
Always pot your Anthurium in well draining soil. This bird's nest Anthurium is more tolerant if your soil isn't as chunky but make sure it's never sitting in soggy soil for too long.
Watering:
Water this Anthurium plant when the soil is almost completely dry. It's important to keep up with watering when Anthurium varieties are pushing out new growth but, in general, the superbum can tolerate a bit of drier soil.
Light:
This Anthurium will thrive best in shaded light. However, you may notice more of the purple undersides when the plant is receiving brighter light.
Humidity:
Superbum isn't really fussy about higher humidity. However, for any Anthurium, I recommend at least 50%.
Anthurium Fingers (Anthurium pedatoradiatum)
Anthurium fingers starts off like many other Anthurium varieties, with those classic heart shaped leaves. As it starts to mature, the plant morphs into something completely different. The mature leaves resemble a hand with long fingers, hence the name Anthurium fingers. The mature leaves are a vibrant green and have deep lobes with a glossy finish. This Anthurium grows quite tall, reaching over 2 ft tall, and can sprawl out when given enough space.
Soil:
Chunky potting soil made from perlite, orchid bark, horticultural charcoal or anything to add extra air to the plant roots.
Watering:
Water when the pot is almost dry. If you notice soft, mushy leaves, water less. If new leaves are dried and crispy, water more frequently.
Light:
Indirect light. However, if you want bigger leaves you can slowly introduce this Anthurium to brighter light.
Humidity:
This Anthurium would thrive in at least 50% humidity.
King Anthurium (Anthurium veitchii)
Anthurium veitchii has majestic, elongated heart shaped leaves that are deep green with a glossy finish and a ripple like effect throughout the leaf. Native to Columbia, South America, this Anthurium is one of the largest epiphytic Anthurium varieties, living up to its name as the "King". In indoor conditions, this Anthurium can reach up to 4-6ft but will easily double that in its native environment.
Anthurium veitchii was once considered a rare houseplant and extremely hard to find. But, in recent years, its supply has doubled due to tissue culture.
In its juvenile form, this Anthurium has little rounded heart shaped leaves with no rippling on the leaves. As it grows, the ripples will be more pronounced and the leaves will start to elongate.
Soil:
Like the other Anthuriums mentioned earlier, the King, especially, likes a chunky mix. Adding extra orchid bark and horticultural charcoal does wonders for the thick roots of an Anthurium.
Watering:
Anthurium veitchii will need to be watered when the soil is almost dry. With too many missed waterings, new leaves will come our deformed and older leaves will start to crisp and drop off. If you live in a drier climate, you'll need to water more frequently. If your Anthurium plant is in higher humidity, it can tolerate going a longer period of time without watering and not show any signs of stress.
Light:
This Anthurium wants bright indirect light. When in doubt, offer less light then slowly increase to brighter light. Brighter light will help with leaf size.
Humidity:
King Anthurium will thrive best in anything 50% and higher, especially as a young plant. If you buy Anthuriums as seedlings, always make sure to give higher humidity until they're more established.
Queen Anthurium (Anthurium warocqueanum)
Anthurium warocqueanum is known as the Queen Anthurium for obvious reasons. In the tropical regions of Columbia, the deep green leaves can grow over 6ft long. However, this Anthurium plant is known for its velvety leaves and striking silver mid vein running down the middle of the leaves.
This Anthurium is recommended for more advance plant collectors because it requires really specific needs in order to truly thrive.
Soil:
If you read our Anthurium care blog, you know many types of Anthurium are epiphytes. Epiphytic plants thrive in an especially chunky mix with minimal potting mix and the Queen is no different. The roots enjoy extra air. I find equal parts of pumice, orchid bark, horticultural charcoal and coco coir does wonders.
Watering:
The Queen Anthurium is not okay with any missed waterings. One missed watering while a new leaf is forming can lead to misshapen leaves or a new leaf to be completely aborted. Finding the right watering schedule for this Anthurium is crucial to growing is successfully. If it dries out too fast try adding some sphagnum moss to the soil since it's great for water retention.
Light:
In my experience, the Queen does well in lower indirect light. The lower light will also help keep the leaves more dark green. However, if you notice your plant is struggling with putting our new growth, slowly introduce it to brighter light.
Humidity:
Humidity is crucial to the Queen, especially when it's growing a new leaf. The Queen will need humidity of at least 60% however, higher humidity will be ideal. Some ways to help increase the humidity, is topping the soil with a layer of peat moss or wrapping the aerial roots in moss. You could also place it in a greenhouse or next to a humidifier.
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