Anthurium clarinervium: care & propagation

Anthurium clarinervium displays stunning heart-shaped leaves. Here are our top anthurium care tips for this tropical beauty.

The beautiful heart-shaped leaves of the anthurium plant [Photo: Firn/ Shutterstock.com]

Anthuriums are known for their decorative foliage and colorful leaf blades. Like its relatives, Anthurium clarinervium displays striking foliage patterns and provides a stunning feature in any room. But where should you place your anthurium, and what care does it need? Find out here!

Anthurium clarinervium: flower, characteristics and origin

Anthurium clarinervium, sometimes called velvet papanthurium, is a species of the flamingo flower genus (Anthurium), which belongs to the arum family (Araceae). In its native Mexico, velvet papathurium grows as an epiphyte, that is, it grows on trees or other plants, without ever touching the ground. However, velvet papanthurium is in no way a parasite. They only go up to the treetops for light.

Anthurium requires high humidity and frequent rainfall. Because it never touches the ground, velvet papanthurium collects water from its large, heart-shaped, dark green leaves. The leaves show striking, white patterns, making the velvet anthurium a popular houseplant, although its flowers are quite inconspicuous.

The white leaf pattern is typical of Anthurium clarinervium [Photo: Riana Ambarsari/ Shutterstock.com]Planting Anthurium clarinervium: where and how?

The epiphytic lifestyle of the tropical anthurium gives us some clues as to where it would like to live. Velvet box anthurium likes bright light, but avoid direct sunlight. High humidity and warm temperatures between 20 and 25°C are ideal. During its dormant phase, in winter, velveteen anthurium will need cooler temperatures, but keep it above 15°C. To recreate the treetop lifestyle, use a particularly permeable soil that allows plenty of air to reach the roots. For example, orchid soil made from rough pine bark is perfect. And make sure your anthurium pot has a drainage hole.

Tip: You can make your own orchid soil from high quality materials. To do this, mix equal amounts of pine bark and a finer filler such as sphagnum moss or coconut fibers. Finally, add some nutritious potting soil, such as Plantura Organic All Purpose Compost.

Anthurium clarinervium flower should be placed in a bright place [Photo: Ika Hilal/ Shutterstock.com]Anthurium clarinervium care

Once you have a suitable location for your velveteen anthurium, there are only a few things to take care of.

• Watering: For your anthurium to thrive, water it regularly. Avoid waterlogging, but keep the soil evenly moist. As soon as the soil dries on the surface, water your plant again. Room temperature rainwater is best. In the summer, velveteen anthurium will need more water than in the winter due to the higher temperatures.
• Humidity: Anthurium in velvet cardboard is at home in a tropical jungle. To mimic jungle humidity, spray the anthurium plant regularly with low-lime water, or place a bowl of water near the plant or on the cooler. If the air is too dry, the leaves of the anthurium clarinervium plant may develop brown tips.
• Fertilize: Fertilize your velveteen anthurium regularly during the growing season. Spring Plantura liquid potting food is an ideal source of important nutrients and microorganisms that promote root growth and improve phosphate uptake. Your anthurium needs to be fertilized about every two months.

• Repotting: It is best to repot older velveteen anthuriums every two to three years and younger plants annually. This will give your anthurium more space and fresh soil. Fresh soil provides the plant with some important nutrients that are missing from even the best fertilizers. Repot your plant in the spring at the beginning of the growing season and remember to use fresh soil.
• Foliage care: To ensure that the velvet anthurium can photosynthesize, regularly dust its large leaves. Do this with a soft, damp cloth that will not damage the surface of the blade.
• Pruning: Use a sharp knife to cut off old, brown leaves at the base. These leaves rob the plant of energy. Otherwise, velvet papanthurium does not need to be pruned.

The young leaves of the anthurium plant are usually reddish before later developing their green color [Photo: Adam A Adrians/ Shutterstock.com]Anthurium clarinervium propagation

To propagate your velvet box anthurium, divide it by the stem. That is, carefully separate the root ball into two or more parts, making sure that each part has enough roots and leaves to survive. Place each part of the plant in a separate pot. It is best to do this in the spring when you are replanting your anthurium anyway.

Is Anthurium poisonous?

Like its relatives, velveteen anthurium is somewhat poisonous, so handle it with care. To be on the safe side, wear gloves when repotting and propagating your plant.

There are many other anthurium species that make great houseplants. Why not find out more about them?