Anthurium clarinervium: care & propagation

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

Anthuriums are known for their decorative foliage and colourful leaf bracts. Like its relatives,  Anthurium clarinervium displays striking leaf patterns and makes for 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 the velvet cardboard anthurium, is a species of the flamingo flower genus (Anthurium), which belongs to the arum family (Araceae). In its native Mexico, velvet cardboard anthurium grows as an epiphyte, that is, it grows on trees or other plants, without ever touching the ground. However, velvet cardboard anthurium is by no means a parasite. They only make their way up to the treetops for light.

Anthurium requires high humidity and frequent rainfall. Because it never touches the ground, velvet cardboard anthurium collects water from its large, heart-shaped, dark green leaves. The leaves display striking, white patterns, which makes the velvet cardboard anthurium a popular houseplant, even if its flowers are fairly unremarkable.

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 cardboard 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, velvet cardboard 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. Orchid soil made from coarse pine bark, for instance, is perfect. And do make sure your anthurium’s pot has a drainage hole.

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

Anthurium clarinervium care

Once you have a suitable location for your velvet cardboard anthurium, there are just 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 summer, velvet cardboard anthurium will need more water than in winter because of the higher temperatures.
• Humidity: Velvet cardboard anthurium is at home in a tropical jungle. To mimic the jungle’s humidity, spray the anthurium plant regularly with low-lime water, or place a bowl of water near the plant or on the radiator. If the air is too dry, the leaves of the anthurium clarinervium plant may develop brown tips.
• Fertilise: Fertilise your velvet cardboard anthurium regularly during its growing season. Our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food is an ideal source of essential nutrients and microorganisms that promote root growth and improve phosphate uptake. Your anthurium will need fertilising roughly every two months.

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• Repotting: It is best to repot older velvet cardboard anthuriums every two to three years, and younger plants annually. This will provide your anthurium more space and fresh soil. Fresh soil provides the plant some essential nutrients that are lacking in even the best fertilisers. Repot your plant in spring at the beginning of its growing season, and remember to use fresh soil.
• Leaf care: To ensure velvet cardboard anthurium can photosynthesise, regularly dust its large leaves. Do this with a soft, damp cloth that does not damage the leaf’s surface.
• Pruning: Use a sharp knife to cut off old, brown leaves at their base. These leaves rob the plant of energy. Otherwise, velvet cardboard anthurium does not need pruning.

Anthurium clarinervium propagation

To propagate your velvet cardboard anthurium, divide it at the stem. That is, separate the root ball carefully into two or more parts, ensuring 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 spring when you are repotting your anthurium anyway.

Is Anthurium poisonous?

Like its relatives, velvet cardboard anthurium is slightly 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 fantastic houseplants. Why not find out more about them?