We Found Your Next Houseplant—How to Grow Anthurium Clarinervium This Season

One look at the large, thick, heart-shaped leaves of anthurium clarinervium with their striking patterns on their leaves and you'll know immediately why it is a popular houseplant.

Native to Mexico, this tropical plant is an epiphyte that grows on trees or other plants. As a houseplant, however, it is planted in a porous potting mix similar to orchids.

The prominent veins on its leaves are ivory or light green and wide, not unlike the pattern of corrugated cardboard, which gives the plant its common name, velvet cardboard anthurium. The flowers are inconspicuous; this plant is grown for its foliage.

Anthurium clarinerviumhas a moderate growth rate and takes several years to reach its mature size.Like all anthuriums, the plant is toxic to humans and pets.

Common Name	Velvet cardboard anthurium, velvet leaf anthurium, velvet anthurium
Botanical Name	Anthurium clarinervium
Family	Araceae
Plant Type	Perennial, herbaceous
Mature Size	6-12 in. tall and wide
Sun Exposure	Partial
Soil Type	Well-drained
Soil pH	Acidic
Hardiness Zones	11-12 (USDA)
Native Area	North America
Toxicity	Toxic to humans and pets

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Anthurium Clarinervium Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing anthurium clarinervium:

• Place the plant in a location with bright indirect light.
• Plant it in a well-draining, porous, and gritty potting mix.
• Maintain warm temperatures and a high humidity level.
• Fertilize every two months during the growing season.

Light

Place anthurium clarinervium in a spot where it receives bright, indirect light. This can be near an east-facing window or inside a room with a south- or west-facing window. Avoid exposure to direct sunlight.

Soil

The soil for anthuriums clarinervium needs to be light, coarse, and with excellent drainage. You can use a potting mix for orchids or mix your own from a 50-50 combination of orchid and houseplant potting mix.

Water

Keep the soil evenly moist at all times and never let it fully dry out. Water slowly and deeply until water runs out of the drainage holes and only water again when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Temperature and Humidity

Maintaining the proper temperatures and humidity levels is key to successfully growing anthurium clarinervium.

This tropical plant thrives in temperatures between 70 and 90°F during the spring and summer and slightly cooler temperatures in the winter, but never lower than 60°F. The plant dies at temperatures below 40°F. In USDA Hardiness Zones 11 and 12 where winters are frost-free, Anthurium clarinervium can be grown outside.

High humidity of at least 50 to 60% is equally important. To keep humidity levels high during the winter months when indoor air is especially dry, you may find it necessary to run a humidifier. Place the plant in a room of your home where the humidity is naturally higher, such as a bathroom with adequate light or the kitchen.

Fertilizer

Anthurium clarinervium does not need a lot of fertilizer. Apply an all-purpose houseplant fertilizer every two months during the growing season in spring and summer.

Pruning

There is no need to prune the plant other than removing old, brown leaves at their base with sharp pruners.

Types of Anthurium Clarinervium

There are no varieties of anthurium clarinervium, but there are other anthurium species that make attractive houseplants:

• Crystal anthurium (Anthurium crystallinum) is a rare anthurium whose heart-shaped, deep green leaves with pale green or silvery-white veins are exceptionally large, growing over 18 inches long.
• King anthurium (Anthurium veitchii) is another rare anthurium with huge leaves up to four feet long. The leaves develop deep ridges as they mature.
• Flamingo flower (Anthurium andreaenum) is unlike other anthuriums, grown for its colorful flowers. The bracts in red, pink, white, and burgundy have a shiny surface that lends them a lacquered appearance.

Propagating Anthurium Clarinervium

Like all anthuriums, anthurium clarinervium develops side shoots over time. Using those for propagation is the easiest and fastest way to make more plants. Propagation should be done in the spring or early summer, so the new plant has time to grow before dormancy. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Identify a strong side shoot growing off the main stem. It should have at least one mature leaf and several aerial roots.
2. Using sharp pruners or a knife, remove the side shoot with its aerial roots, making a clean straight cut where it joins the main stem.
3. Fill a pot that is wide and deep enough to accommodate the main stem and roots with 1/3 potting mix.
4. Place the side shoot on top and fill in to cover the aerial roots. Do not cover any leaf nodes or leaves with soil. Water slowly and deeply until water runs out of the drainage holes.
5. Place the pot in a warm location with bright indirect light. New growth appears in about 4 to 6 weeks.

Potting and Repotting Anthurium Clarinervium

When purchasing a new anthurium clarinervium, inspect the potting medium to make sure it is porous and well-draining. If in doubt, repot the plant right away in the same pot but with a fresh potting mix.

Repotting is usually only necessary every two to three years or when the roots have reached the sides of the pot. The best time to repot is in the spring as the new growing season starts. Use a pot that is no more than 2 inches wider in diameter than the old pot and make sure it has large drainage holes.

Fill the new pot with about 1/3 of fresh potting mix, then set the plant in the center and lightly pack additional potting mix around its base. Water thoroughly after repotting.

Common Pests

Anthurium clarinervium is susceptible to the same pests as most houseplants, including aphids, mealybugs,spider mites,whiteflies, andscale. Placing the plant in the sink or the bathtub and removing them with blasts of water is usually sufficient but if there is a persistent infestation, treat it with insecticidal soap.

Tip

Because anthurium clarinervium absorbs moisture through its foliage, it is important to keep the leaves free of dust. Gently wipe them with a soft, damp cloth, taking care not to damage the leaf surface.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

The earlier you detect any of these potential problems of your anthurium clarinervium and treat it, the better.

Brown Leaf Tips

The tips of the leaves starting to turn brown indicate that the humidity around the plant is too low. Misting the leaves is only a temporary fix; to effectively increase the room humidity, use a humidifier.

Root Rot

Both overwatering and compacted soil lead to root rot. The two go hand in hand, as soil that is too dense and lacks porosity does not drain well and becomes water-logged. Check the soil of your plant and repot it with a fresh potting mix if necessary. Adjust your watering routine and only water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Yellow Leaves

Determining the cause of yellow leaves is a bit trickier because there are several possible reasons: soil that is too dry or too wet due to overwatering or poor drainage. Another potential reason is that the pot is too big for the plant’s root system, which usually leads to too much watering and the soil drying out too slowly.

Curling Leaves

Likewise, curling leaves can have different reasons. The soil could be too dry too wet. Other culprits are low humidity or temperatures that are two hot or too cold, which cause the leaves to curl as a protective mechanism.

From: thespruce