Crystal Anthurium Anthurium crystallinum
ABOUT
The plant known as Anthurium crystallinum is a distinctive and attractive houseplant that is renowned for its stunning foliage. The leaves of this plant are large, heart-shaped, and have a velvety texture, presenting a deep green color that serves as a canvas for the contrasting veining. The veins are a pale silvery-white or greenish-white, creating a striking pattern that is reminiscent of crystal lines, hence the name. These veins branch out in a feather-like pattern from the central midrib towards the edges of the leaf, highlighting the leaf's shape and texture. In terms of its blooms, the plant produces a spadix that is a finger-like spike where tiny flowers grow. This spadix is typically accompanied by a single, large, waxy leaf-like bract known commonly as a spathe. The spathe is often mistaken for the flower itself, but it is actually there to protect and showcase the true flowers on the spadix. This bract is typically a pale green or a more subdued color compared to the leaves, and it curves elegantly in a way that complements the foliage. While the plant's roots are typically not seen, it's noteworthy that they are a part of its unique appearance when grown in transparent containers or when they emerge above the soil in potted conditions. These roots may appear thick and have a robust, earthy quality to them.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Araceae
Synonyms
Crystal Anthurium, Velvet Cardboard Anthurium
Common names
Anthurium crystallinum
ToxicityTo humans
The plant known as Crystal Anthurium is considered toxic to humans. Its toxicity is due to calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause skin irritation when handling the plant and symptoms of poisoning if ingested. If any part of the plant is consumed, it can lead to irritation of the mouth and gastrointestinal tract, resulting in symptoms like a burning sensation, swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue and throat, difficulty swallowing, and gastrointestinal discomfort or pain.
To pets
Crystal Anthurium is also toxic to pets. It contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, lips, and tongue, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if ingested. The consumption of any part of the Crystal Anthurium by pets can result in similar symptoms to those seen in humans due to its irritant nature.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Dark green
Flower color
White
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
11
Native area
Central America South America
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: With its dark green, heart-shaped leaves and contrasting white veins, Anthurium crystallinum, also known as Crystal Anthurium, adds aesthetic appeal to homes and gardens.
- Humidity Lover: Thriving in humid conditions, Crystal Anthurium can help in maintaining the moisture levels in your home, especially in dry climates or during winter months when indoor heating can lower humidity.
- Easy to Grow and Care For: As long as it has the right conditions, this plant is relatively easy to care for, making it suitable for people who are not expert gardeners but still desire a tropical touch in their surroundings.
- Promotes Wellbeing: Being surrounded by plants like the Crystal Anthurium has been shown to reduce stress levels, improve mood, and enhance creativity and productivity.
- Long Blooming Period: The Crystal Anthurium can bloom throughout the year when its needs are met, providing consistent beauty and a focal point in interior spaces.
- Enhances Interior Design: This plant's elegant appearance can complement a variety of interior styles, from modern to classic, providing a living piece of decor that grows and changes over time.
- Educational Value: Cultivating Crystal Anthurium can be an educational experience for children and adults alike, offering a closer look at plant growth, reproduction, and care.
- Gift Potential: Due to its beauty and ease of care, the Crystal Anthurium makes a thoughtful and appealing gift for a variety of occasions, from housewarmings to office parties.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Photography Subject: The Crystal Anthurium's distinctive heart-shaped leaves with prominent white venation are often used as a photogenic subject for botanical photography and artistry.
- Terrarium Plant: Due to its tropical nature and aesthetic appeal, Crystal Anthurium is a popular choice for inclusion in custom-built terrariums or vivariums.
- Artistic Inspiration: Artists and designers draw inspiration from the unique patterns and textures of the Crystal Anthurium leaves for creating textiles, wallpapers, and fashion prints.
- Symbolic Gift: In some cultures, the Crystal Anthurium is gifted as a symbol of hospitality and friendship because of its welcoming appearance and long-lasting flowers.
- Educational Aid: Botany educators use Crystal Anthurium as an example to teach about aroid plant family characteristics and tropical rainforest biodiversity.
- Luxury Interior Decor: The exotic appearance of Crystal Anthurium makes it a favored ornamental plant for luxurious interior design and high-end real estate staging.
- Feng Shui Element: Some practitioners of Feng Shui use Crystal Anthurium to bring positive energy into homes as it represents growth and natural beauty.
- Boutique Displays: Retail stores, especially those in the fashion and beauty industries, use Crystal Anthurium plants in their displays for an added touch of elegance and vibrance.
- Wedding Decor: The Crystal Anthurium's striking leaves and flowers are sometimes incorporated into wedding bouquets and venue decorations for a tropical or exotic theme.
- Craft Material: The sturdy leaves of the Crystal Anthurium can be used in various crafts, such as natural bookmarks or as part of a homemade potpourri mix.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiCrystal Anthurium is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityCrystal Anthurium is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Hospitality: The Anthurium crystallinum, commonly known as the Crystal Anthurium, has a welcoming appearance with its heart-shaped leaves and shiny texture, often symbolizing the warmth and friendliness associated with inviting someone into your home.
- Abundance: The Crystal Anthurium's lush green leaves are sometimes associated with growth and abundance, possibly reflecting prosperity and fullness in one's life.
- Rarity and Uniqueness: As a plant with unique aesthetic features, like its striking veins and crystal-like appearance, it may represent the distinctiveness or rarity of a person or situation.
- Long-lasting Love: Given its association with anthuriums in general, which are often seen as symbols of long-lasting love due to their long-blooming nature, it may carry this meaning as well.
- Beauty: The decorative nature and striking appearance of the Crystal Anthurium can symbolize beauty and appreciation of aesthetics in our lives.
WaterWhen watering your Velvet Cardboard Anthurium, it's best to allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Typically, this means you should water it every 1 to 2 weeks, depending on the humidity and temperature of your environment. When you do water, do so thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes, using about 8-16 ounces of water for a medium-sized pot. During the winter months or in a cooler climate, reduce the frequency as the plant's growth slows down.
LightThe Velvet Cardboard Anthurium thrives in bright, indirect light. It is best to place it near an east or west-facing window where it will get plenty of light but is protected from the harsh direct sunlight, especially during the hot afternoon hours. If natural light is limited, consider using a grow light to supplement.
TemperatureThe Velvet Cardboard Anthurium prefers warm temperatures, ideally between 65°F and 80°F. Avoid exposing your plant to temperatures below 55°F, which can cause cold damage. The perfect temperature range to promote healthy growth for this tropical plant is 70°F to 75°F.
PruningPrune your Velvet Cardboard Anthurium to remove any yellow or damaged leaves and to encourage bushier growth. The best time to prune is in the spring or early summer before the plant enters its active growing phase. Pruning can be done as needed, but not too frequently – once or twice a year is usually adequate.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Crystal Anthurium thrives in airy, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. A mix of orchid bark, perlite, peat moss, and charcoal works well. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH, around 5.5 to 6.5.
RepottingCrystal Anthuriums should generally be repotted every two years or when the roots have outgrown the pot. It's best done during spring or early summer.
Humidity & MistingCrystal Anthuriums require high humidity levels, ideally between 60-80%, to thrive and maintain their lush foliage.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in bright, indirect light with high humidity.
Outdoor
Grow in warm, humid, shaded spot protected from wind.
Hardiness zone
11-12 USDA
Life cycleThe life of Anthurium crystallinum, commonly known as the Crystal Anthurium, starts with seed germination, where conditions such as warmth and high humidity are crucial for the process to occur. After germination, the seedling stage is marked by the emergence of the first roots and leaves, which gradually mature into a juvenile plant with characteristic heart-shaped, velvet-textured leaves with prominent white veins. As the plant enters the vegetative stage, it focuses on leaf and root system expansion, becoming larger and more robust. Upon reaching maturity, the Crystal Anthurium begins the reproductive stage, producing inflorescences consisting of a spathe and spadix, which are pollinated by insects or artificially, leading to seed production. After pollination and seed set, the cycle can begin anew if conditions permit seeds to disperse and germinate, while the original plant continues to produce new leaves and possibly more inflorescences. The plant's lifespan can extend over many years in the right environmental conditions, with continuous cycles of vegetative growth and reproduction.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The optimum time to propagate an Anthurium crystallinum, commonly known as crystal anthurium or velvet cardboard anthurium, is during the warmer months of spring and summer, when the plant is actively growing. The most popular method is by dividing the plant's clumps or offshoots, commonly referred to as pups. When the parent plant is sufficiently large, you can separate these pups from the main plant. This involves gently removing the plant from its pot and detangling the roots to identify the offsets. Using a clean, sharp knife, carefully cut the offsets away, ensuring they each have an appropriate amount of roots. Afterwards, plant the pups in their own pots filled with a well-draining potting mix specially formulated for aroids, which typically contains peat, perlite, and pine bark. Keep the newly potted offsets in a warm, humid environment with indirect light and water them just enough to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. In conditions like these, the pups will eventually establish their own root systems and begin to grow independently.
