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Anthurium vittariifolium

A species from the wet, tropical forests of the Amazon basin; southeast Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and northern Brazil, where it grows as an epiphyte, perching on the trees’ branches and climbing or creeping along them, using its fleshy roots to cling to the bark. The elegant, strap-shaped, vertically hanging foliage, is highly ornamental and the glossy leaf blade, can be up to 2m long and 5-7 cm wide on mature specimens, although usually smaller in cultivation. The plant can reach 1.5m high. The foliage colour is green, with prominent, but thin, pale green veins. The flowers are not very showy, and these consist of a pale green, sheath-like spathe, surrounding a cream-coloured spadix or column. The small flowers along the spadix, are self-fertile, and on mature plants can produce attractive, pink berries, that completely cover the spadix. It is the spectacular foliage, however, that is the main asset of this plant

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Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1A

Botanical details

Family: Araceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Climbing
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant/allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten, skin/eye irritant/allergen - For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Anthurium are evergreen perennials, usually epiphytic and sometimes climbing, with large, simple or palmately lobed leaves, and spike-like flowering spadices each subtended by a colourful flat spathe
Name status: Correct
Plant range: southeast Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and northern Brazil

How to grow

Cultivation

A light, open, well-drained growing medium such as a proprietary orchid compost is required, along with warmth, bright, but indirect sunlight and high atmospheric humidity for the plant to do well. Watering the plant with rainwater or filtered water by standing plant in a saucer of water, at room temperature, is beneficial, as it can be sensitive to the build-up of chemicals dissolved in hard tap water, if used. The compost should be allowed to become dry before thoroughly watering again. Plants should not be allowed to sit in water for long periods, which can cause the roots to rot. Feeding with a proprietary orchid fertiliser is beneficial during the growing season April to September. See Anthurium and Houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by stem-tip or leaf bud cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to red spider mite, mealybugs and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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