Anthurium Varieties: 33 Stunning Tropical Plants For Your Home
From velvety leaves to vibrant spathes, explore the beauty and diversity of anthurium varieties for your indoor or outdoor garden.
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33 Stunning Anthurium Varieties for Every Plant Lover
Anthuriums, known for their exotic foliage and long-lasting flowers, have captivated plant enthusiasts worldwide. With heart-shaped leaves, striking veining, and an almost endless array of colors, these tropical beauties add flair to any indoor or outdoor garden. This guide showcases 33 unique anthurium varieties, from popular houseplants to rare collectorâs items, so you can find the perfect specimen for your space.
Why Choose Anthurium?
With over a thousand species and countless hybrids, anthurium plants offer remarkable diversity in leaf shapes, flower colors, and growth habits. Theyâre prized for:
- Long-lasting, often colorful blooms
- Stunning foliage, sometimes velvety or deeply veined
- Adaptability as houseplants with proper care
- Exotic, tropical appearance that brightens any space
Varieties Overview
These anthurium varieties include classics loved by beginners and rare gems sought after by collectors. Each entry highlights its unique appearance, recommended growing conditions, and what makes it stand out.
Anthurium Papillilaminum
- Botanical Name: Anthurium papillilaminum
- Sun Requirements: Bright indirect light
- Height: 3â+
This breathtaking species is native to Panama. Its slow-growing, bronze-tinted leaves deepen into a rich velvety green and display prominent veining near the petiole. Papillilaminum needs plenty of humidity to thrive and can reach over three feet tall. While still considered a rare collector plant, itâs becoming easier to find and is relatively simple to grow indoors.
Bosworth Beauty
- Botanical Name: Anthurium hybrid âBosworth Beautyâ
- Sun Requirements: Bright indirect light
- Height: 2â
Known for its dramatic, heart-shaped foliage, Bosworth Beautyâs leaves emerge in a deep ox-blood color before fading to dark, glossy green. The flowers are just as striking, featuring vibrant purple spathes and a deep purple spadix. This variety offers a colorful and affordable alternative to ultra-rare species, making it a favorite for many houseplant fans.
Painterâs Palette (Anthurium Andraeanum)
- Botanical Name: Anthurium andraeanum
- Sun Requirements: Bright indirect light
- Height: 12ââ18â
- Hardiness Zones: 11â12
Perhaps the most widely grown anthurium, Painterâs Palette sports large, waxy flowers in red, pink, or white, occasionally with bicolor patterns. Its glossy green leaves sit atop slender stems, creating an elegant silhouette. Easy to find and low-maintenance, itâs perfect for plant parents of all experience levels.
Anthurium Luxurians
- Botanical Name: Anthurium luxurians
- Sun Requirements: Bright indirect light
- Height: 18ââ24â
- Hardiness Zones: 10â12
This collectorâs staple boasts thick, deeply textured leaves that almost look like green leather. Luxurians is highly sought after for its dramatic appearance and is best suited for growers with some anthurium experience, as it thrives in high humidity and needs a bit of extra care.
Other Beautiful Anthurium Varieties
Beyond these standout types, the world of anthurium is filled with distinct cultivars and species, each offering unique charm:
- Clarinervium: Velvety, heart-shaped leaves with prominent white veins.
- Crystallinum: Silky, dark leaves with silver veining â ideal for display.
- Forgetii: Rounded, velvety leaves with no true sinus at the leaf base.
- Warocqueanum (Queen Anthurium): Long, narrow leaves with satiny sheen and light veins.
- Vetchii (King Anthurium): Fan-like, elongated leaves with rippled texture.
- Superbum: Upright, dark leaves with a dramatic, birdâs-nest growth habit.
- Veitchii: Saw-toothed leaf edges and striking, pendulous growth.
- Jemanii: Robust, paddle-shaped leaves and impressive size.
- Schwarzenberg: Rare variety with purple veins and iridescent foliage.
- Pallidiflorum: Slender, pendant leaves adored by collectors.
- Magnificum: Large, velvety leaves with intense pale green veining.
- Pendens: A unique trailing species with long, narrow leaves.
- Radicans: Compact, vining plant with ruffled leaves.
- Watermaliense (Black Anthurium): Remarkable for its dark, almost black spathes.
- Silver Blush: A Crystallinum hybrid with eye-catching silver markings.
What others are reading
How to Grow Anthuriums Successfully
While each variety has its preferences, most anthuriums share similar care requirements:
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight offers the best coloration and bloom production.
- Humidity: A humidity level between 50â60% is ideal, though some rarer species need higher humidity and do best in terrariums or greenhouses.
- Soil: Use a chunky, well-draining mix â a blend of orchid bark, perlite, charcoal, and peat works well.
- Watering: Allow the top inch of soil to dry before watering. Avoid letting the roots sit in water.
- Temperature: Keep them in warm conditions, ideally above 65°F (18°C). Avoid cold drafts.
Many anthurium species are epiphytes, thriving on tree branches in their natural habitat. Mimic this environment with loose, airy substrates and regular misting.
Anthurium Foliage vs. Flowering Varieties
| Type | Notable Features | Popular Varieties |
|---|---|---|
| Foliage | Striking leaves with velvety texture, silver veins, or dramatic shape | Clarinervium, Crystallinum, Magnificum, Luxurians |
| Flowering | Bright-colored spathes in red, pink, white, purple; long-lasting blooms | Andraeanum (Painterâs Palette), âBosworth Beautyâ, Watermaliense |
Tips for Displaying Anthurium Plants
- Group several varieties together for a lush, tropical look.
- Pair dark-leaved types with bright-flowered ones for striking contrast.
- Display rare or delicate species in glass enclosures or terrariums to maintain humidity.
- Use decorative pots that complement the plantâs dramatic foliage.
- Rotate plants regularly to ensure even growth and light exposure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the rarest anthurium variety?
A: Rarity changes over time, but Anthurium warocqueanum (Queen Anthurium) and Anthurium luxurians are among the most coveted due to their unique foliage and challenging growing requirements.
Q: Are anthuriums safe for pets?
A: Anthuriums contain calcium oxalate crystals, which are toxic if ingested by pets or humans. Keep them out of reach from curious cats, dogs, and children.
Q: Why isnât my anthurium blooming?
A: Anthuriums need bright, indirect light and regular feeding to flower. Lack of blooms usually signals insufficient light, too little nutrition, or improper humidity.
Q: How do I keep anthurium leaves shiny and healthy?
A: Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth to remove dust. Avoid harsh chemicals; provide adequate humidity and proper watering for glossy, vibrant leaves.
Q: What are the easiest anthurium varieties for beginners?
A: Anthurium andraeanum (âPainterâs Paletteâ) and Anthurium clarinervium are among the most user-friendly, with forgiving care needs and readily available plants.
Final Thoughts
Whether youâre starting with a single Painterâs Palette or building a collectorâs dream with rare velvety species, thereâs an anthurium suited to every plant loverâs taste and skill level. Their diverse foliage, unforgettable flowers, and adaptable nature make them prized members of any botanical collection. With the right care, your anthurium will reward you with lush leaves and dazzling blooms for years to come.
References
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