Anthurium forgetii ‘Silver’

Cultivated origin of Anthurium forgetii ‘Silver’

‘Silver’ is a cultivated form of the Colombian species Anthurium forgetii. It exists only in cultivation and is distinguished by its broader pale vein pattern.

Keeping Anthurium forgetii ‘Silver’ healthy

• Light and leaf clearance: Give the plant bright diffuse light, protect it from direct sun and keep opening leaves free from contact.
• Temperature and humidity: Keep the plant warm at roughly 18–27 °C and away from prolonged cold below 15 °C. Maintain high humidity around 60–80% with moving air.
• Water: Use the lighter weight of the pot and a slightly dry top layer as the cue to water, then soak and drain the root ball fully.
• Potting mix and stem: Use an airy mix of small bark, fibre and coarse mineral particles in a pot that fits the root ball closely. Keep the short stem above the mix.
• Feeding: A light complete feed suits periods when new leaves and roots are forming. Reduce feeding as growth slows.
• Leaf care: Brush mature foliage gently and avoid oils or leaf-shine products.
• Repotting: Repot once roots or new growth from the base begin to crowd the container, giving the expanding clump a little more width.
• Propagation: Separate a rooted basal shoot when available; otherwise Choose a healthy stem section with an active growing point.

Troubleshooting Anthurium forgetii ‘Silver’

• One leaf has less silver than another: Vein width and contrast can vary with leaf age and between growth cycles. Compare several mature leaves to judge the plant’s usual pattern; no corrective treatment is needed when the foliage is firm and otherwise healthy.
• Green areas turn cream or tan: Cream or tan tissue indicates damage. Move the plant away from direct sun and check whether the affected area faced a hot window.
• Dark rub marks cross the pale veins: The velvet surface has been pressed or scraped. Move supports and neighbouring foliage far enough away to give later leaves clear space for expansion.

Anthurium forgetii ‘Silver’ 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.

How the name Anthurium forgetii came about

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. Forgetii honours Monsieur Forget.

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

Nicholas Edward Brown first described Anthurium forgetii in 1906 in Gardeners’ Chronicle, series 3, volume 39, page 161.