Last Updated on October 19, 2021 by Grow with Bovees
Anthurium Crystallinum is a plant native to Central and South America, with heart-shaped, evergreen and velvety foliage.
The leaves can be dark green or reddish purple, with deep, white veins that make them stand out.
It is commonly grown indoors as a houseplant and is generally considered one of the less demanding plants to grow.
You will commonly find them grown outdoors in tropical gardens, or as tender outdoor plants in temperate climates.
The good thing about them is that you don’t need to live in the tropics to enjoy the plant. With some attention and care, you can grow anthurium crystallinum comfortably in your home.
In this post, you will learn everything you need to know about taking care of your anthurium crystallinum and make it thrive.
How to Care for Anthurium Crystallinum?
Planting and caring for anthurium crystallinum when it’s not in its natural environment is rather straightforward. All you need to know is that it’s a tropical plant, and if you can recreate similar conditions, it will thrive.
Under the right conditions, its growth rate is very admirable.
Anthurium Crystallinum Watering
Regular watering is perhaps more important for anthurium crystallinum care than anything else. As a tropical plant, it has adapted to heavy rainfalls and wet seasons.
So, if you want it to thrive, you need to keep track of watering. This is very important when starting out from the seed.
Once you place the seed in the pot, water the topsoil layer to prevent sinking the seed. The soil should ideally remain moist at the top and dryer in the lower layers.
To check the dryness, check the moist surface with your finder and dig a few inches into the soil. If the deeper layers feel as moist as the top layer, it’s not yet time for watering.
Grown plants will also require similar conditions. The top layer needs to always be wetter than the bottom layers, so take care to avoid overwatering the plant. You also need to account for the season. The amount of water the plant needs will vary throughout the year.
During summer, anthurium crystallinum will need more water, and you probably have to water it a few days every week. Contrariwise, winter time will require longer breaks between waterings to avoid overwatering.
Lighting Requirements
All anthurium plant species will require a lot of bright indirect light to thrive. Both outdoor and indoor anthurium crystallinum plants will require a medium amount of light during the daytime.
Consider placing them in partial shade to help mimic their natural habitat. Never expose them to direct sunlight because their leaves are quite delicate, and too much sunlight can damage them.
The amount of light the plant needs will also vary depending on the season. During winter, they won’t require as much light as during summer and spring.
If you’re growing the plant indoors and your room doesn’t get a lot of natural sunlight, you can use alternative light sources. LED grow lamps are ideal as they won’t produce too much heat, and you can control the intensity of the light.
Temperature Requirements
This is perhaps the most challenging aspect of anthurium crystallinum care. It’s understandably difficult to control the outside temperature during the seasons, and both too low or too high temperatures can cause the plant to die.
If you are growing anthurium crystallinum as indoor plants, it’s much easier to maintain a constant temperature throughout to ensure the plant thrives.
The ideal temperature to grow anthurium crystallinum is between 60 and 70 degrees, which makes planting them in spring highly recommended. Temperatures that go below 55 degrees are harmful to the plant and could lead to its death.
Humidity
In their native regions, these tropical plants are constantly exposed to high humidity, due to the evaporation of water in the soil. This level of humidity is as vital to them as well as proper water, lighting, and temperature conditions are.
Heaters or air conditioners will dry the air, which could damage the plant. While humidifiers might be a great solution, keep in mind that they will often require daily refills. And just as with the lighting, it’s all about finding the right spot.
Kitchen and bathroom areas generally tend to have more humid air compared to other rooms, and you should consider placing the plants in these rooms or closer to them. Slow air circulation is also important, though you can place the plants near windows. However, ensure that they are not exposed to direct winds as the strong winds could damage the plant.
Soil Requirements
It’s no surprise that soil conditions will greatly influence the development of anthurium crystalline. With the right conditions, your plant will thrive with vivid green, large leaves. The soil should ideally be well aerated and contain the right nutrients.
If the soil isn’t properly aerated, water will be unable to seep deep enough and the roots will be unable to grow big enough to reach all of the minerals. With the right soil conditions, fertilizer will do its job and you’ll get a stunning plant, more on fertilizers later.
Sphagnum moss is great for the plant, especially when starting from seeds. Perlites and pine bark should help – these make the potting mix porous, adding small air pockets that the plant needs. Plus, these are great for holding onto moisture, letting you take longer breaks between waterings.
Fertilizers
It’s recommended that you use organic fertilizers over chemical fertilizers.
While they won’t really damage the plant, huge amounts of artificial fertilizers will do little work, and you won’t get grand results. The plant rarely produces flowers, but the right fertilizer may encourage their formation.
If you’re looking for flower growth, it’s recommended that you use a slow-release fertilizer with a ratio of 3:2:1. Use only 20% strength fertilizer when mixing it with water.
Keep in mind that phosphorus may positively affect the growth of the plant, so be sure to look for it when shopping for fertilizer.
Other nutrients to look for are nitrogen (nitrate nitrogen is better for them than ammoniacal), magnesium, and calcium.
Note that over fertilizing will cause pale colors and small leaves. If you notice this happening, stop adding fertilizer and give the plant a break. Plus, you can stop adding fertilizer during winter and then start again in spring at the start of the growing season.
How To Propagate Anthurium Crystallinum
If you’re looking to make new plants, you should learn a bit more about anthurium crystallinum propagation. There are a few ways to propagate anthurium crystallinum, as outlined below.
When starting from the seeds or the roots, propagation will be more demanding compared to starting from cuttings, though both can be done without too much effort.
Anthurium crystallinum is a rather tolerable plant that easily adapts to different conditions. Note that propagation should ideally be done during the growing period; the first half of March is a great time to start.
1. Stem Cuttings
The first thing you want to do is to ensure you have the right tools and a new pot for your plant, along with everything else it might need. The stem should be 6 or more inches long, with a few leaves. The pot should have holes for good drainage, and the potting soil should fill 75% of the pot.
Before you place the stem, create a small hole in the soil, about 4 inches deep. Place the stem and add a small amount of soil mixture around it. Make sure that the soil doesn’t cover the leaves. Place the pot in an area with the proper lighting, temperature, and humidity.
2. Division
Before you plant, you should carefully untangle the roots. Ensure that the roots are healthy, with several leaves on them. Place the root in the growing mix and place a glass jar over the roots to help create the best conditions for growth. Be sure to water the soil regularly as the plant will require water during the growing phase.
3. Seed
This is the longest and most difficult propagation method of the three. To get the seeds, the plant will have to develop a flower, then a fruit, from which you can take the seed. Once you wash the pulp, the process is the same as with division.
However, since you are starting from the seed, your Crystallinum will probably be able to adapt better to any imperfect growing conditions. Still, keep it in a warm, high humidity area for best results.
When and How to Repot Anthurium Crystallinum
As the plant gets larger, you will probably need to switch the pots. As mentioned earlier, the plant tends to grow fast. However, if you start with a 10-inch pot, you might be able to wait for at least a year before you need to repot it.
Usually the roots will play a huge role in determining when’s the right time to switch to a larger pot. If they take half of the pot, then it’s time to repot. The best time to do it is in the spring season, as that is when the growing period begins. The beginning of fall is also great.
Once you uproot the plant, detangle the roots carefully and fill the new pot with good quality indoor potting mix. Ensure that the leaves are not touching the soil, and that the roots take up less than half the pot.
Put the plant back in its place and maintain the same caring routine.
Anthurium Crystallinum Common Problems
Problem: Fungal Disease
This is one of the most common problems with anthuriums. The disease may cause the stem and the roots to rot, and may also damage the leaves.
Solution: Avoid excessive watering. If the infection is severe, consider using a fungicide to prevent the disease from spreading to other parts of the plant.
Problem: The leaves turning yellow
Low air humidity is the main culprit here, and it may cause the leaves to turn yellow with dead ends.
Solution: This is a sign that the plant is dying. Water the plant more often, especially if the room lacks humidity.
Problem: Pests
Luckily, Anthurium Crystallinum does not attract insects. However, some pests may invade the plant. Mealy bugs are quite common, and they appear as white balls underneath the leaves. Aphids and scale can also invade the plant, though they won’t cause much damage.
Solution: Use a little bit of water to sprinkle the pests off the plant.
Is Anthurium Crystallinum Poisonous to Humans and Pets?
Anthurium Crystallinum contains oxalate crystals, which are generally not safe for human or animal (pets) consumption. When the sap is swallowed, it could be dangerous, and will irritate the throat or lead to an allergic reaction.
Final Thoughts
With this guide, you now have the information you need to properly care for anthurium crystallinum, also sometimes referred to as crystal anthurium.
These plants are generally easy to take good care of once you know what they need and what conditions suit them.
