Native to central and South America, Anthurium Crystallinum is a tropical plant species. It’s a herbaceous perennial plant that’s often grown indoors due to its attractive appearance.
Not only are they beautiful, but it is also a fairly tough plant, meaning that they’re not too difficult to look after and they’re pretty resistant to things like inclement weather and pests.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to grow Anthurium Crystallinum.
What is Anthurium Crystallinum?
Part of the Anthurium genus, this plant is known for its large, glassy and heart-shaped leaves. Their bright, attractive leaves are complemented by cute little white flowers that appear on long, slender spikes.
They’re often grown indoors due not only to their appearance but also because of the plant’s ability to tolerate low light conditions.
Anthurium Crystallinum is also known by some as a “Flamingo lily” or “Taliflower” due to the shape of its spathe (a leaf-like structure that surrounds the spadix, the spiky structure that holds the flowers.
How to Grow Anthurium Crystallinum
As long as you provide it with the appropriate conditions, it is a pretty easy plant to grow. The main things to consider are when, where and how to plant it, but here are a few additional top tips on how to successfully grow Anthurium Crystallinum:
- Light: The plant prefers bright, indirect light, but can tolerate low light conditions too. Avoid direct sunlight, however, as this can scorch the leaves.
- Temperature: Anthuriums tend to prefer temperatures of between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius.
- Humidity: The plant enjoys humidity, so if you like, you may mist the leaves occasionally or place a tray of water near the plant – it’ll produce a similar effect.
- Soil: The plant prefers a well-draining, peat-based potting mix.
- Watering: Anthurium Crystallinum needs to be kept sufficiently moist but not waterlogged. Water your plant when the top inch of soil is dry – don’t overdo it!
- Fertiliser: Feed the plant every four to six weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertiliser during the growing season.
- Propagation: It can be propagated by division or by taking stem cuttings.
Indeed, as long as you bear these factors in mind, you should have a healthy and thriving Anthurium Crystallinum in no time.
When to Plant Anthurium Crystallinum
Anthurium Crystallinum can be planted at any time of the year, as long as you can provide the right conditions for the plant to thrive. However, the best time to plant it will depend on your climate and the type of planting you’re planning.
If you’re planting Anthurium Crystallinum in a container and you plan to keep it indoors, you can plant it at any time of the year. Make sure to provide the right conditions, as mentioned above, and take care to protect it from direct sunlight, drafts and extreme temperatures.
If you’re planning to plant Anthurium Crystallinum in a garden or outdoor landscape, the best time to plant it will depend on your climate and the specific weather conditions in your area. In general, it’s best to plant tropical plants like this during the warm seasons – that way, the soil is warm and the temperature is mild. This will allow the plant to establish roots and start growing before the hot weather arrives.
However, since Anthurium Crystallinum is a tropical plant, it won’t tolerate frost or freezing temperatures. Therefore, if you live in an area with cold winters, it’s best to grow it as a houseplant or bring it indoors when the temperature drops.
Where to Plant Anthurium Crystallinum
As with any plant, the best place to plant Anthurium Crystallinum will depend on the specific conditions in your area and whether you plan to grow it indoors or outdoors.
If you’re growing it indoors, place it in a bright, well-lit room with indirect sunlight. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight as this can scorch the leaves. You can also put your plant near a window that receives filtered light.
If you’re planning to grow Anthurium Crystallinum outdoors, however, the best place to plant it will depend on your climate and the specific weather conditions in your area. Generally speaking, it’s best to plant tropical plants like this in a shaded area with filtered sunlight. Alternatively, grow it under partial shade – it’s bound to be satisfied with that.
Do note, however, that Anthurium Crystallinum isn’t frost tolerant, so it ought to be grown in a location where it’ll be exposed to freezing temperatures.
In addition, the soil type and drainage thereof are also important. So if you’re planting in an area with heavy clay soil, you may need to amend the soil with organic matter to improve drainage.
Thus, overall, the best place to plant Anthurium Crystallinum is in a location that provides the right balance of light, temperature and humidity, and a place where it won’t be exposed to frost or freezing temperatures.
How to Plant Anthurium Crystallinum
If you’re planning on planting your own Anthurium Crystallinum, follow these steps:
- Choose the right container: Use a container with drainage holes in the bottom to ensure good drainage.
- Fill the container with a well-draining potting mix: Fill the container about two thirds of the way with a well-draining potting mix such as some kind of peat-based mix.
- Make a hole in the potting mix: Ensure that the hole you make is large enough to accommodate the roots of the Anthurium Crystallinum plant.
- Remove the plant from the container it was growing in: Carefully remove the plant and be extra careful not to damage its roots.
- Plant the Anthurium Crystallinum in the hole: When you do, ensure that the roots are covered with potting mix.
- Backfill the potting mix: Backfill the container with potting mix, gently firming it around the base of the plant.
- Water the plant: Water the Anthurium Crystallinum well to help settle the potting mix around the roots. Make sure the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
- Place the container in the right location: Ensure that it’s positioned somewhere where you can achieve the right balance of light, temperature and humidity for the plant to thrive.
- Provide regular care: Provide regular care for the Anthurium Crystallinum, including watering, fertilising and monitoring it for pests and diseases.
What is the Meaning of Anthurium Crystallinum?
The meaning of Anthurium Crystallinum is related to the characteristics of the plant. “Anthurium” is, unsurprisingly, the genus name for a group of tropical plants that are known for their glossy, heart-shaped leaves. “Crystallinum”, on the other hand, is the species’ name.
Anthuriums in general are known to symbolise hospitality and abundance. They’re also given as a symbol of love and are a popular choice for romantic occasions such as Valentine’s Day.
However, the specific symbolic meaning of Anthurium Crystallinum may vary depending on the context and culture. In some cultures and belief systems, plants and flowers are thought to have specific meanings and associations, but it’s not a common practice to associate specific meanings with this specific species of Anthurium.
How Do You Make Anthurium Crystallinum Grow Faster?
To make this plant grow faster, it’s important to provide the plant with the proper growing conditions. This includes all the basics we’ve covered above:
- Bright, indirect light
- High humidity
- Warm temperatures
- Well-draining soil
- Fertilisation
- Proper pruning and grooming
Essentially, getting your plant to grow faster simply comes down to ensuring that you’re providing it with the proper care. You don’t necessarily have to do anything special, just make sure you’re looking after it and paying close attention to the conditions in which it’s growing.
Is Anthurium Crystallinum Hard to Care For?
It’s generally considered fairly easy to care for, as long as you provide it with the appropriate growing conditions, of course. It’s a low-maintenance plant, but it still has the above specific requirements that have to be met.
In addition, it’s essential that you keep a lookout for pests and diseases. Also, make sure you remove dead or damaged leaves, as this can hinder the growth and development of your Anthurium Crystallinum.
Is Anthurium Crystallinum Fast Growing?
Yes, Anthurium Crystallinum is a pretty fast-growing plant. It’s a tropical epiphyte, meaning that it grows on other plants for support and doesn’t need to be planted in soil. It’ll grow over time but not at a fast rate. It’s essential to just be patient and provide the proper care and conditions for the plant to be able to grow healthy and strong. In addition to the basics, however, regular pruning and grooming can also help to encourage bushier growth.
Is Anthurium Crystallinum Rare?
It is, in fact, a relatively rare plant when it comes to natural growth. It’s native to Central and South America and isn’t cultivated for commercial use – this is likely due in part to its slow-growing nature and its specific growing requirements.
However, that being said, it’s not impossible to find by any means. It’s simply more likely to be found in speciality plant nurseries or through plant enthusiast groups.
It’s actually considered by some to be a collector’s plant, and it’s relatively expensive compared to other Anthurium varieties. It’s a rare find in most regular nurseries and tends to be appreciated by plant enthusiasts for its unique foliage and beauty.
It’s worth noting, however, that if you see Anthurium Crystallinum for sale, ensure that it isn’t a mislabelled plant. Often, different species of Anthuriums are confused with each other, and since Anthurium Crystallinum in particular is more rare than other species, it’s less likely that it’s actually the real deal – unless the person categorising the plants is a real expert and knows their plants.