Featuring glossy green leaves and rich, colorful blooms, anthurium vittarifolium is one of the most attractive plants to grow indoors. It has beautiful long leaves, which can grow up to 2 meters.
The leaves are steady with a beautiful velvet glow. If you’re a rare plant gardener, then the anthurium vittarifolium is the perfect plant for you.
For the best anthurium vittarifolium care, you’ll need to provide it with the best growing conditions in your home, such as lots of humidity, frequent watering (albeit moderately), medium to bright indirect sunlight, perfect soil mix (avoid soggy or dry soil), feed once in a month in summer, etc.
In this article, we will look at how to grow anthurium vittarifolium plant.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Anthurium Vittarifolium Origin: What is Anthurium Vittarifolium?
| Common Name | Flamingo Flower, Hawaiian Heart |
| Botanical Name | Anthurium Vittarifolium |
| Plant Type | Epiphytes |
| Family | Genus Anthurium |
| Sun Exposure | Medium to bright indirect sunlight |
| Mature Size | Up to 7.9ft (2.5 m) tall & 4″ (10 cm) wide |
| Soil Type | A mix of orchid compost and peat-based soil. |
| Leaf Color | Dark Green Velvet Glow |
| Native Area | South America, on the tropical rain forests of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. |
| Temperature | 18°C to 25°C (64 to 77°F). |
| Toxicity | Toxic to humans & animals |
| Cool Hardiness | Not cold hardy |
Commonly known as Flamingo Flower, the anthurium vittarifolium is a spectacular strap-leafed plant from the genus anthurium family.
Native to South America, particularly the tropical rain forests of Colombia, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador, it is an exotic plant that features long narrow leaves that can grow up to two meters tall.
Talking about the leaves, it features glossy green leaves and rich, colorful blooms, which is why it is one of the most exciting prospects for your indoor jungle.
If you’re a plant lover, the anthurium vittarifolium is an ideal plant for you, as it is effortless to care for and will add a touch of luxury to an indoor space.
It is also called Hawaiian Heart, Painted Tongue, and Painters Palette because of its unique shape and small pinkish spathe & spadix.
It is epiphytic (grows on another as support), can grow up to 2.4m long & 7 to 10cm wide, and is clustered around the top of the stem.
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Is Anthurium Vittarifolium Easy To Care For?
Caring for anthurium vittarifolium is easy and is an exciting prospect for beginners. As long as you will imitate its natural tropical factors in your home, like lots of humidity, partial to bright indirect sunlight, regular watering, and good soil mix, then you’re good to go.
Anthurium Vittarifolium Care and Growing Tips
If you've ever desired to learn how to grow anthurium vittarifolium, below is all the necessary information you will need to grow and care for your anthurium vittarifolium plant.
Natural Habitat & Light Requirements
The anthurium vittarifolium has its natural habitat in South America, particularly the tropical rain forests of Colombia, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador.
And its native jungle, it grows deep in the humid rainforests, on the thin layer of forest soil, or in cavities between branches of trees, with more aerial roots, more leaves are collected in the cavities through which the plant benefits.
In other words, you can place it in a shaded area of your home that lacks long exposure to direct sunlight. An extended period in direct sunlight will burn the flowers and foliage.
However, it also needs sunlight, therefore, do not deprive it completely (75-80% shade is perfect), as insufficient light prevents flower production.
Watering
Watering the anthurium vittarifolium is one of the significant and tricky parts of the plant. Like other anthurium varieties, you must water your vittarifolium at least once every two or three days in its growing period, but during the winter, you can allow the soil to dry a little more.
Since the anthuriums are very plants that love moisture, you’ve to water them frequently, but be careful not to overwater because, at this point, you might be tempted to do so.
Excess moisture or water can result in root rot or yellow leaves. Endeavor to allow the water to dry in between watering.
Humidity & Temperature
Although it can survive in regular home temperatures, like other tropical houseplants, the anthurium vittarifolium requires added heat and humidity (therefore, it implies imitating its summer outdoor conditions) to make it feel very much at home and grow well.
The vittarifolium requires temperature levels ranging from 18°C to 25°C (64 to 77°F). It will thrive at a humidity level of not less than 60%.
Keeping the plant at low-humidity levels is disastrous, as it might result in its stunted growth or stress the plant. Avoid hot or cold drafts and placing your Anthurium too near a heat source.
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Soil Requirements
The best soil to plant your anthurium vittarifolium is a well-aerated medium soil mix with a pH between 6.6 and 7.5 (neutral). You must ensure that the soil has a well-drainage system and water retention since it is a thirsty plant that needs regular watering.
A perfect well-aerated medium mix will strongly grip the roots and stems so tight as to provide the plant strong balance while it is growing.
It is quite necessary because of the cascade way the plant’s leaves grow. Macadamia nut shells and wood chips will be just fine to serve as protection to the roots.
The best soil potting mix for the vittarifolium is the bark and moss, as they offer the ideal amount of nutrients, moisture, and aeration your plant requires.
Fertilizing Needs
Several gardeners feed their plants with slow time-release fertilizers every month. Like other anthurium varieties, the anthurium vittarifolium possesses roots that are very sensitive to uncoated quick-release fertilizers, which can result in a burn in their sensitive roots.
Even powder organic fertilizers can lead to root burn. Therefore, liquid fertilizers can probably be applied as foliar applications or incorporated at lower concentrations into surface irrigation water.
Also, foliar fertilizers for orchids will be just fine for your plant. However, whichever one you choose, consistency will be a crucial factor.
Planting (Potting & Repotting)
Once you discover that your anthurium vittarifolium has overgrown its pot size, then it’s time for you to repot.
However, make sure you carry out any repotting activities during the spring season since the lighter days stimulate the formation of buds.
Also, when repotting, you have to place the plant in a pot with a diameter of at least 20% larger than the initial one and use special anthurium soil for this process.
If you must repot your plant, then you must have to mix in a little anthurium feed at the same time, as it will enable the plant to have a little more in its reserve for further growth.
How to Prune Anthurium Vittarifolium
If you want to prune your anthurium vittarifolium, then you must do it should from the top down. The first thing is to cut the flowers.
If you plan to propagate it by seed method, first, take out the seed and then remove the flower, as it will allow the plant to focus its energy on its proper growth.
Much like other tropical plants and anthurium varieties, if you are pruning your vittarifolium, you’ve to locate the dead, discolored, and wilted leaves and cut them gently so as to avoid harming other healthy leaves.
You can also get rid of some healthy leaves if the plant is too crowded with them. However, it is optional and just for beauty purposes.
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Anthurium Vittarifolium Propagation
Generally, there are three methods by which you can propagate your anthurium vittarifolium, namely, division, cuttings, and seeds methods. However, the two basic and most effective ways are the division and cuttings methods.
Let’s briefly discuss them below:
Propagation by Division Method
Of the 3 propagation methods of the anthurium vittarifolium, the division method of propagation is the most common and easiest to apply. You can carry out the division method by;
- Uprooting the mother anthurium vittarifolium from its container
- Cleaning the soil from the roots
- Using sharp knife to divide the roots without tearing
- Finally, planting the other roots in a new pot and leaving the mother plant in its original pot.
Note: Locate roots that are easy to separate, and carry this process with a steady hand, as any error can lead to the death of the full plant. Ensure you use the same fertilizers and soil mixes of the original for the clone plant.
Propagation by Cutting Method
Cutting is an activity that requires a little more preciseness but can still be done. In the cutting method;
- Using a sharp garden shears, slice the leggy growth of your anthurium vittarifolium, which is a result of healthy development.
- Then, plant it inside a new pot.
Note: The best thing about this method is that apart from giving you a replica of your original anthurium vittarifolium, the mother plant will reward you with multiple shoots right where the cutting occurred.
Propagation by Seeds Method
Apart from the division and cutting propagation methods, you can decide to go with the seeds method. Seed propagation is the method with the slightest chance of getting the replica of the original anthurium vittarifolium. In the seeds method, you have to;
- First, take out a seed from the small orange fruits the plant produces once the flower matures
- Then, plant it in a new pot.
Anthurium Vittarifolium Varieties
Generally, there are over 1000 anthurium species, of which anthurium vittarifolium is one of them.
However, there’re some varieties that look so similar to the anthurium vittarifolium varieties that you can confuse them for the same plant. Three of the most notable ones are as follows;
1. Anthurium Andraeanum
Like the anthurium vittarifolium varieties, the anthurium andraeanum is popularly called Flamingo Flower.
They are also easy to care for and capable of almost continuous bloom. It features large flowers and colored leaves.
Several of its flowers are durable for at least some months. Like the vittarifolium, they also possess a center spike or spadix, which holds the flower.
2. Anthurium Scherzerianum
This incredibly famous anthurium species looks a lot like the Andraeanum and the vittarifolium varieties, with just one notable difference, which can be seen across the room. It features a decorative, curly spadix.
The leaves are also lengthier and lance-like, tapering to a narrow point. It has a similar care factor as the anthurium vittarifolium varieties.
3. Anthurium Luxurians
Featuring a special, quilt-like corrugation, the anthurium luxurians is a species that possesses shiny leaves and looks lacquered.
They are also very strong and look like cardboard, which dwells high on sturdy, square petioles. Like the anthurium varieties, the luxurians species are slow-growers that stay compact.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the leaves of my Anthurium Vittarifolium turning yellow?
Whenever you notice that your Anthurium Vittarifolium is turning yellow leaves, two things are involved; it is either you’re overwatering it or feeding it too many nutrients. Therefore, immediately you notice yellow leave signs in your plant, you should stop feeding it for some time, only water.
How Do I Get More Flowers On my Anthurium Vittarifolium?
Like other anthurium varieties, the anthurium vittarifolium is very selective of its environment. When faced with problems like soggy soil or insufficient lighting, it can stop it from growing flowers. Therefore, you’ve to encourage its flowering by placing it where it can get enough indirect sunlight, enough watering, and others.
What is the Best Fertilizer for My Anthurium Vittarifolium?
Your anthurium vittarifolium does not need excess fertilizing. It only needs to be fed with one-quarter strength fertilizer every once in three or four months. For the best blooming, a fertilizer with a higher phosphorous number (the middle number) is perfect.
Why are the Leaves of My Anthurium Vittarifolium Brown?
The best explanation for your Anthurium Vittarifolium leaves turning brown is excessive sunlight, fertilizing or lack or shortage of water/moisture, and diseases. Therefore, you can prevent this issue by ensuring that its environs are clean and have indirect sunlight. And make sure you water it every 3 days and feed once a month.
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Why does my Anthurium Vittarifolium have black spots?
If your anthurium vittarifolium has black spots, the best explanation is that it is infected with blight disease. Blight disease is caused by bacteria that attack the leaves, starting with brown and dark green spots, which later turn into black dry spots that kill the leaves.
The bacteria come as a result of the excessive-high humidity levels of your plant. So, endeavor to give it the best humidity level possible at least once in a while. Black spots can also be caused by excessive sunlight and dryness (insufficient watering).
What is the Lifespan of an Anthurium Vittarifolium Plant?
Generally, anthuriums, including the anthurium vittarifolium, have a lifespan of 5 years and above. Therefore, with adequate care and maintenance coupled with the ideal conditions, you should be able to enjoy their beauty for a long time. However, you can likewise propagate them by division if you want to add more plants or keep them around you for longer.
Is the Anthurium Vittarifolium Toxic?
Yes, all anthuriums, including the anthurium vittarifolium, are toxic plants; all components of the plant are toxic, ranging from the leaves to the flowers. Therefore, avoid contact with your mouth, and also watch out for kids and pets near it. The symptoms of this plant are apparent pain in the mouth, tongue, and throat.
