Anthurium vittariifolium

Natural range and habitat of Anthurium vittariifolium

Anthurium vittariifolium occurs naturally from south-eastern Colombia through Ecuador and Peru to northern Brazil. In wet forest, it attaches to trunks and branches and roots in aerated pockets of organic material around its shortened stem.

Caring for Anthurium vittariifolium

• Provide a secure elevated position: Check the free drop below the crown as every new leaf lengthens. Keep leaves away from walls, floors and traffic.
• Light the crown from above: Bright indirect light from above supports balanced new growth. Long leaves can tolerate a dimmer lower section, but protect the whole leaf from hot direct sun.
• Temperature and humidity: Keep the plant around 20–30 °C and protect it from sustained temperatures below 15 °C. Provide about 60–80% humidity and keep gentle air moving around the hanging foliage.
• Water a chunky epiphytic mix: Soak large bark and coco pieces with a small amount of fibre and pumice when the upper portion begins to dry. Let all excess water drain away.
• Feeding: as new growth develops, apply houseplant fertiliser at a light rate; feed less once growth pauses.
• Handle the leaves along their length: Support a leaf when moving or cleaning the plant. Repot only when roots crowd the compact crown or the mix has begun to break down.
• Propagation: Use a rooted offset or division from a mature plant, keeping a healthy growing point and its roots together.

Problems on the long leaves of Anthurium vittariifolium

• A blade develops a horizontal fold: It has rested against a hard surface or been bent during handling. Increase the clear drop; the crease will remain after the tissue firms.
• Tips dry on several leaves: Review root dryness, fertiliser residue and mineral-heavy water. Flush the mix with low-mineral water when mineral-heavy water is the likely cause and stabilise watering. See the brown tip troubleshooting guide for the main causes.
• Stippling or silver scars extend along the blade: Fine pale stippling with webbing indicates spider mites, while silvery scars with black specks indicate thrips. Inspect the complete underside and newest folded growth for these signs. If you confirm spider mites or thrips, isolate the plant, apply a treatment labelled for the confirmed pest across the full leaf length and repeat it at the intervals stated on the label for the full course.

Anthurium vittariifolium 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.

Where does the name Anthurium vittariifolium come from?

The genus name Anthurium combines Greek anthos, “flower”, and oura, “tail”, referring to the tail-like spadix. Vittariifolium means “Vittaria-leaved”, referring to resemblance to the narrow fronds of the strap-fern genus Vittaria.

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

Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler first described Anthurium vittariifolium in 1905 in Das Pflanzenreich, IV, 23B, page 88.