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What is an Anthurium Clarinervium?
Anthurium clarinervium is a houseplant, native to Mexico, with finely lobed, heart-shaped dark green leaves and striking white veins that is a member of the Aroid plant family.
It is best known as the “Velvet Cardboard Anthurium” because of its dense, velvety foliage. Other nicknames include “Queen Anthurium” and “White-Veined Anthurium.”
A mature, fully grown Velvet Cardboard Anthurium plant can reach 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide when planted in a pot, with leaves that are 8–10 inches in length.
Their robust roots have evolved to help them survive in the shallow soil trapped between rocks and stones.
It will thrive outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11.
Like many aroid family flowers, this Anthurium species blooms with a spadix and a spathe.
Difference Between Anthurium Clarinervium Versus Crystallinum
The Anthurium clarinervium is often confused with its cousin the Anthurium crystallinum.
While both Anthurium clarinervium and Anthurium crystallinum look very similar from afar, the main distinction between the two plants is that the Anthurium clarinervium has wider, darker green leaves, whereas, the Anthurium crystallinum has narrower, lighter green leaves.
Another slight difference is that the Anthurium crystallinum also grows at a faster rate than the Anthurium clarinervium.
How to Care for Anthurium Clarinervium
Anthurium clarinervium is an attractive and hardy perennial that can be grown in most gardens.
It needs moist but well-drained soil, plenty of sun, and regular watering.
Velvet Cardboard Anthuriums can be infested by pests and should be treated with a registered pesticide if they need to be done.
Read further for some tips to help keep it healthy.
Temperature and Climate
Anthurium clarinervium prefers and flourishes in a humid environment that is around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
To increase the humidity around the plant, you can group together other plants to boost humidity levels. At least 50% air humidity is achieved by grouping plants.
To enhance plants’ growth, place them in warm temperatures of 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 32 degrees Celsius).
The Velvet Cardboard Anthurium can withstand temperatures as low as 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius) in the winter, but anything below that may damage the plant.
Light
Place the Anthurium Clarinervium Plant in bright but not direct sunlight because its leaves need plenty of light to go through photosynthesis.
Anthurium Clarinervium light requirements are not difficult to maintain.
When grown as indoor plants, filtered sunlight or bright indirect light is comparable to what they would find in their natural habitat—under the canopy of the rainforest.
If there is insufficient light, the use of grow lights can be an alternative to sunlight.
The yellow leaves of your Velvet Cardboard Plant will be an indication that your plant isn’t receiving sufficient light.
Stunted growth and discolored leaves will affect the plant’s growth.
On the other hand, the beautiful, creamy-white veins may begin to fade in color in direct sunlight; so, be careful not to have direct sunlight on them for too long.
Watering
Water your Anthurium clarinervium plant every 7–10 days or when the top one to two inches of the soil medium is dry before watering again.
Proper soil moisture should be maintained to have a healthy plant.
Do not overwater your Velvet Cardboard Anthurium. Allowing the plant to sit in stale water will lead to root rot.
Ensure you get rid of any surplus water after you’ve watered sufficiently by allowing the water to drain completely.
Also, do not leave any water in the saucer underneath the pot.
Soil
Anthurium clarinervium plants need well-draining soil.
A soil mix made from potting soil combined with a soil amendment like perlite or peat moss will provide your plant with soil that is nutrient-rich and well-draining.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your Anthurium clarinervium plants every two months after watering them during the growing season that runs from March to September.
You can use a standard houseplant fertilizer that has been diluted to half strength to avoid overfertilizing it.
It’s super simple to use, and you don’t need to worry about it once you set it in the soil. It’s been a game-changer for our indoor houseplants.
Common Pests and Diseases
Aphids, spider mites, and scale insects are common pests on Anthurium clarinervium plants.
Yellow or brown marks on the plant’s foliage are an indication that your plant has pests.
You should always do a quick check before bringing your plant home from the store.
Most pests can be easily removed by using a plant pesticide or cleaning them off with cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol.
However, if your plant is infested with scale insects, you will need Neem oil to get rid of them.
Neem oil can kill pests and prevent future infestations .
In addition, scale insects dislike moisture, so try not to mist or get the leaves wet.
Repotting
Repot your Anthurium Clarinervium every two or three years.
Velvet Cardboard Anthurium plants do not become root-bound because they are relatively slow-growing plants.
An advantage to repotting your plant is that it stimulates development and growth.
When repotting, first examine the roots to make sure they are healthy.
- Take the plant and root ball from the pot with care. Wipe off any extra soil and, if required, detangle the roots.
- Split out a few portions of the roots if you’re splitting the plant, making sure each section has two or three strong stems.
- Fill a plant pot with a suitable amount of fresh, disinfected potting mix. Soil drainage is essential.
- Water it thoroughly to have moist soil for optimal growth and to keep the plant healthy.
Propagation
Propagate Anthurium clarinervium plants by root division or stem cuttings.
Root Division
To propagate your Velvet Cardboard Anthurium via root division, first, extract the plant from its pot.
Gently split the roots into two or three portions from the mother plant to create new plants from root division.
Fill a pot with the proper amount of potting soil for each part.
Plant the split roots into the new pots and wait for 2 to 5 weeks and you should see your baby plant sprout.
Stem Cuttings
To propagate Anthurium clarinervium by stem cuttings, cut a stem a few inches long from new shoots.
Place the cuttings in a jar of water until the plant starts to develop 1-inch (2.5-cm) long roots; be patient as it may take a few weeks.
Fill a small container halfway with damp potting soil. Put it in a light area and wrap it in a trash bag to maintain high humidity.
Until the new plant develops a root system, keep the potting mix moist but not waterlogged.
FAQ
Is Anthurium Clarinervium hard to care for?
No, Anthurium clarinervium care is not difficult. When grown in moist soil with good drainage, Anthurium clarinervium thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. During the growing season, water anthuriums when the top inch or so of the soil is completely dry, keep the relative humidity above 60%, and fertilize every two months.
Is Anthurium Clarinervium fast-growing?
No, anthurium clarinervium is not a fast-growing plant. Anthurium clarinervium grows slowly to moderately, reaching a height of 1 to 2 feet and spreading up to 3 feet in diameter. As a result, it should be repotted every 2 to 3 years because it will quickly outgrow its existing container by such time.
Should I cut the flowers of Anthurium Clarinervium?
Yes, you should cut the flowers from Anthurium clarinervium. The flowers are are considered not important and unattractive. So, simply cut them off so your plant can concentrate on growing new leaves.
Conclusion
Anthurium clarinervium is a lovely and low-maintenance houseplant.
To keep it healthy and looking its best, water it regularly and fertilize it every other month.
In the winter, when the plant is dormant, reduce watering to once a month.
Anthurium clarinervium is a beautiful and easy-to-care-for plant that can be a great addition to any home.
With just a little bit of care, this plant can bring years of enjoyment.
Other Anthurium Plants to Consider
Though Anthurium clarinervium is a great houseplant, there are other Anthurium plants that you can plant indoors or outdoors. Read more about other types of Anthurium plants:
References
Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.
