Anthurium magnificum ‘Silver’

Cultivated form and natural range of Anthurium magnificum ‘Silver’

‘Silver’ is a horticultural label for a strongly silver-marked form of Anthurium magnificum. The species is native to Colombia, where it grows epiphytically in wet tropical forest.

Caring for Anthurium magnificum ‘Silver’

• Cleaning the leaves: Remove loose dust with a soft brush. Rinse mineral residue with low-mineral water and let the leaf dry with gentle air movement.
• Light and space: Keep the plant in bright indirect light, away from hot midday sun, with enough room for the broad leaves to open around the centre.
• Temperature and humidity: Aim for a steady 18–27 °C. Move it to a warmer position before temperatures remain below 15 °C. Humidity of about 60–80% suits it when the air also moves gently.
• Watering: Water thoroughly when the upper layer has dried slightly and the pot feels lighter. Let all excess water drain before returning the plant to its outer pot.
• Potting mix: Use a chunky aroid mix that stays airy around the roots.
• Training: Keep the plant stable in its pot and support older stems only if they begin to lean.
• Repotting: Move to the next pot size once roots fill most of the current container.
• Feeding: A modest feed suits periods of active leaf and root growth. Reduce feeding as growth slows.
• Propagation: Separate established basal growth with roots, or use a healthy stem section that retains an active growing point.

Common issues with the silvered leaves

• The pale pattern looks dull or cloudy: Dust or dried minerals may be covering the surface. Brush away loose dust and rinse any remaining residue with low-mineral water.
• A dry tan patch appears on the brighter side: A hot window or direct sun may have scorched the exposed section. Increase the distance from the glass or filter the beam. The tan area will not recover, so use the condition of later leaves to judge the revised position.
• A new blade hardens with creases or torn margins: The soft leaf may have caught on another object as it opened. Clear more space around the next emerging leaf and do not pull or force folded tissue.

Anthurium magnificum ‘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 did Anthurium magnificum get its name?

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. The epithet magnificum is Latin for magnificent.

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

Jean Jules Linden first described Anthurium magnificum in 1865 in Catalogue des Plantes Exotiques, volume 19, page 2.