The Anthurium crystallinum is a popular houseplant with incredible foliage and a mostly hassle-free care routine. These perennial epiphytes make for a perfect in-home companion.
Plus, they’re incredibly easy to propagate, meaning you can turn your home into a tropical paradise with absolute ease. Easy to care for, easy to grow.
Here is everything you need to know to grow Anthurium crystallinum.
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Meet Anthurium Crystallinum
The Anthurium crystallinum is a large-leaved perennial stemming from the Araceae family. Growing extensively throughout the rainforests of central and South America, these tropical plants thrive beneath the canopy of larger trees.
The crystallinum produces a wealth of large, heart-shaped leaves with a silvery, velvet sheen. Its deep, dark green leaves are lined with pale green veins, giving it an intricate, exciting appeal.
As these plants are used to dappled light and warm conditions, they’re an ideal choice for indoor growing, especially for lounges, kitchens and bathrooms.
These plants also enjoy being root bound, so they’re happy to thrive in pots and smaller containers. In the right conditions, these plants can produce flower stalks a year after growing.
These flowers are sometimes lacking in vibrance, blooming in a deep purple, brownish colour.
How to Grow Anthurium Crystallinum
These plants are not overly picky when it comes to soil or light. However, they do require slightly warmer and humid conditions in order to thrive.
Light
Anthurium crystallinum needs a small amount of indirect light in order to photosynthesize effectively. They are ideal for partially shaded positions.
In winter, these plants can cope with almost no sunlight. However, in summer, they will need around 6 hours of bright, indirect light. Avoid keeping your plants in a full sun position, as the harsh rays can scorch the leaves.
Soil for Anthurium Crystallinum
A loamy, well-draining soil mixture is ideal for these plants. Although a pre-made mixture can be bought, most growers recommend mixing your own soil mixture.
You’ll want a soil mixture with equal parts loam, peat and perlite. Know the difference between perlite vs vermiculite here.
Temperature
If hotter, more humid regions, these plants will thrive. However, in colder regions, the drops in temperature can cause some damage to your plants.
In cold regions, it’s advised to keep your plants indoors. Avoid keeping pots too close to windows, air conditioners, fans or in any major drafts.
Warmth can be improved by keeping your pots on heat mats or by providing artificial light using a reliable grow light in the winter. These plants also enjoy as much as 70% to 80%. Keep your plants in the bathroom occasionally, or keep them on a moist, pebble tray.
How to Propagate Anthurium Crystallinum
Anthurium crystallinum propagation by cutting or division is often far better than propagating from seed. Growing from seed can be a tedious and timely process, especially as these plants are such slow growers.
Cuttings should be taken from younger plants. Plants older than 3 to 4 years old will thrive when divided.
Propagating Anthurium Crystallinum from Cutting
- Remove a stem cutting with one large, thriving leaf.
- Allow the stem to be callous and dry out overnight.
- Dip the calloused end into some rooting hormone and plant into a small pot with a rich potting mix.
Propagating Crystal Anthurium by Division
- Remove your plant from its pot, gently shaking off some loose soil.
- Look to see if there are any loose rhizomes. These can easily be pulled off the parent plant and planted.
- Otherwise, using a blade, gently divide the root ball by hand. Ensure that each of the divided parts has sufficient roots.
- Replant into a compost-rich potting mix and keep in a shaded, warm spot.
- Water often in the first few months.
Planting Anthurium Crystallinum
These plants enjoy being root bound, so they won’t need to be replanted too often after original planting. Replanting should be done every 2 years or so, especially if beginning to look overgrown.
Be sure to add some fertilizer to the soil before planting, giving your plants plenty of nutrients to thrive.
It is also recommended to use a terracotta pot as this allows the soil to retain some moisture without causing the soil to waterlog.
Anthurium Crystallinum Care
In the right conditions, these plants mostly care for themselves. However, the most important part of plant care will be to regulate watering.
Watering
These plants like wet conditions, so you can water as much as every 3 to 4 days during the growing season. Just be sure to allow the first inch of soil to dry out in-between.
In the colder months, you can cut back watering to once per week. It is recommended to use distilled or rainwater so as to mimic their natural conditions as much as possible.
Tap water can often contain additional, unwanted chemicals that can affect your plants.
Fertilizer
Regular fertilizing can help to improve your foliage. When choosing a fertilizer, a good liquid or slow-release, organic fertilizer is advisable.
Get yours online by checking our review on the best organic fertilizers available today. Consider looking for a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus.
Pruning
Pruning is not always needed but cutting back certain stems can help to encourage new growth and ensure nutrients are spreading evenly to all leaves.
Pruning should be done during the warm season. Be sure to cut back any dry, damaged, or yellowing leaves. Cutting back any overly bent leaves is also advisable.
Potential Anthurium Crystallinum Problems
- Leaf Spots. Dark, yellowing spots can be a sign of a potential bacterial infection. This is most often due to overwatering. Be sure to remove infected leaves as soon as possible to avoid spread.
- Yellow or Wilting Leaves. Yellowing leaves are a sign of a potential fungal infection. It’s most often an indication that your roots are getting too much water.
Consider repotting your plant, regulating your watering and removing any wilted leaves.
Crystal Anthurium FAQs
How do you take care of Anthurium crystallinum seedlings?
Seeds should be kept in warm conditions, with rich and moist soil. A vermiculite soil mixture is the best choice for a seeding mix. A relative heat of around 70°F is ideal for germination.
Plant seedlings into individual pots after germination. Plants will require around 4 years to reach maturity.
Is Anthurium crystallinum toxic for pets?
Stems do contain a sap that becomes an irritant to the skin or problematic when ingested. As such, it’s best to keep away from curious pets.
How do you make Anthurium crystallinum grow faster?
If you want to increase growth or improve blooming, it’s best to regulate the conditions of your plant. Pay special attention to humidity, level of light and moisture.
How long does it take for Anthurium crystallinum to grow?
Plants propagated from division can take anywhere between 2 to 5 years to reach maturity. General conditions can affect the growth rate.
Crystallinum Anthurium Final Growth Tips
If you’re planning on growing crystallinum, be sure to keep in mind:
- These plants enjoy a good soaking, so watering in a bathtub or basin is a good idea. This way, you can soak the soil and allow it to drain before placing it back into the pot.
- The large leaves tend to get dusty, which can affect your plant's ability to photosynthesize. Use a damp cloth to gently wipe the leaves.
- When dividing plants, be sure to check on your roots. Roots should be a cream colour with a slight pink tinge when in ideal health.
- If growing your plants outdoors, on a balcony or patio, it’s essential not to keep them outdoors during the winter.
- Add this with other indoor plants to get your home looking green and fresh.
Author bio:
"With love and a bag full of pleasure, Sara talks about plants and more often - writes. She is the founder of indoorgardenook.com, an indoor gardening blog, at service to those who need help growing plants in these urban life times.
She often says that a plant a day keeps bad spirits away."
Wrapping Up Our Anthurium Crystallinum Guide
Get ready to turn your home into a tropical paradise and start growing this incredible plant today. Be sure to keep an eye on how much light your plant is getting and that you’re giving it enough humidity.
And there you have it, folks! What are you waiting for? Start growing Anthurium crystallinum today.
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