Anthurium bonplandii Variegata

Origin and background of Anthurium bonplandii Variegata

This is a cultivated variegated form of Anthurium bonplandii. The species is native across northern South America, including Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas and northern Brazil.

In its native range, A. bonplandii grows on the ground or as an epiphyte and produces its leaves from a central bird’s-nest rosette.

Growing Anthurium bonplandii Variegata indoors

• Plan for a widening rosette: Use a stable pot with free drainage and leave room around the outer leaves. Move to a slightly larger stable container once roots fill the pot or the widening rosette starts to compromise balance.
• Give the variegated foliage bright filtered light: Direct midday sun can leave dry tan patches, especially after a sudden change in exposure. Introduce gentle early or late sun gradually.
• Water the complete root zone: Let the upper layer begin to dry, then soak the coarse mix thoroughly and empty all runoff. Blot water that remains between the youngest leaf bases.
• Feed for steady growth: Use a modest feed while new leaves and roots are developing. Reduce feeding when growth slows.

Issues seen in Anthurium bonplandii Variegata

• Pale or green areas turn tan and crisp: Strong sun, heated glass or a long dry interval can scorch the leaf. Move the plant to filtered light and restore a more even watering rhythm.
• A new leaf is much greener than the previous one: Variegation can fluctuate between growth cycles. Keep conditions stable and compare the pattern across several new leaves before deciding that the pattern has changed.
• The centre remains wet or begins to smell stale: Blot trapped water, remove loose debris and improve airflow through the rosette. If the central base remains firm and clean, keep it dry and monitor the next growth. Soft, dark or foul-smelling tissue indicates active decay; isolate the plant, remove loose decayed material with a clean tool and keep water out of the centre. Cut back to firm tissue only if the softened area continues to spread.

Anthurium bonplandii Variegata is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Who first published Anthurium bonplandii, and what does the name mean?

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. Bonplandii honours the French botanist and explorer Aimé Bonpland.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Anthurium in 1829 in Wiener Zeitschrift für Kunst, Literatur, Theater und Mode, volume 3, page 828.

George Sydney Bunting first described Anthurium bonplandii in 1975 in Acta Botanica Venezuelica, volume 10, page 267.