Anthurium vittariifolium

A strap-leaf epiphyte from the upper Amazon

Anthurium vittariifolium ranges through the upper Amazon basin from south-eastern Colombia and Ecuador to Peru and northern Brazil. It grows as an epiphyte or hemi-epiphyte in warm wet forest, usually at lower elevations, clinging to trunks and branches where its long leaves can hang freely. Roots occupy mossy bark and small pockets of decomposed litter.

Care for epiphytic Anthurium roots and foliage

• Watering: Water when the upper part of the coarse mix has begun to dry but pieces below remain faintly moist. Saturate the complete root zone and drain it freely; do not leave the crown wet or allow the epiphytic roots to dry hard for long.
• Humidity and airflow: Maintain moderate to high humidity with free air movement around the hanging leaves and crown.
• Light: Provide bright filtered light and keep long leaves away from direct midday sun. Light from above helps the crown grow evenly.
• Temperature: Keep at steady warmth and protect it from chilling temperatures. Protect hanging pots from cold windows and ceiling-level heat.
• Root care and settling in: Keep Anthurium vittariifolium steady while its aerial and pot roots resume growth, then repot without burying the crown. Use a secure hanging or elevated pot with coarse bark, coco chips, a little coir and pumice.
• Strap leaves and propagation: Hang or raise the pot so the strap leaves remain clear of floors and shelves. Rinse the blades from crown to tip and propagate from rooted basal growth or a viable stem section.

Health checks for Anthurium vittariifolium

• Yellow foliage with reduced firmness: A pot that feels unusually light with a dry open mix points to thirst; water deeply and leave the pot to drain completely. A root zone that stays wet and weighty, stale damp mix and limp yellow leaves point to root stress; delay the next soak while checking the root zone.
• A compromised root ball: Firm springy roots can remain in place; surface colour can change between waterings. Remove hollow or slippery sections using disinfected pruners, keep the crown high and return the remaining roots to a secure close-fitting pot with a coarse airy mix.
• Hidden pests on stems and foliage: Check a distorted new leaf for silver thrips damage; mites leave much finer pale dots along the length. Look over both surfaces from crown to tip. Isolate, clean the full leaf length, apply a houseplant product labelled for that pest, apply follow-up treatment at the labelled interval and watch the central growth point after treatment.
• Creases in long leaves: Strap leaves crease where they touch shelves or floors. Raise or hang the pot, clear the entire path below it and clean mature blades from crown to tip.
• New dark tissue on the leaf: Contact with a wall or shelf can leave a dry crease across the blade.

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.