Anthurium Clarinervium
Thick, velvety, heart-shaped leaves with bright white veins on a dark green ground. A compact collector anthurium that grows on limestone in the wild and wants an airy, chunky mix and humidity above sixty percent.
Clarinervium is the anthurium grown for its leaves rather than its flowers: thick, velvety hearts with white veins that look drawn on. It stays compact and produces a few leaves a year, each one a small event.
In the wild it grows on limestone cliffs with its roots in leaf litter, which is why it wants a very airy mix and rots in ordinary potting soil.
Light
Bright indirect light, but softer than most collector plants; an east or bright north window is ideal. Direct sun scorches the velvet and fades the veins.
Water
Water when the top inch or two of the mix is dry, about weekly in summer and every twelve days in winter. Because the mix is chunky it drains fast; water thoroughly and let it run through. Filtered water.
Soil and potting
Roughly half orchid bark, a quarter perlite, and a little coir and worm castings. Standard potting mix is far too dense. Repot every couple of years.
Feeding
A quarter-strength balanced feed every six weeks in spring and summer.
Propagation
Division of a mature plant, or seed from the berries if it flowers and is pollinated. Both slow.
In a hot, dry home
Sixty percent humidity is a real requirement, which here means a humidifier or a glass cabinet. Do not attempt it on an open shelf in summer. In a cabinet it is undemanding.
Problems and fixes
Brown, crispy edges
Likely cause: Humidity below sixty percent
Fix: Raise humidity with a humidifier or cabinet.
Yellow leaves
Likely cause: Dense mix staying wet
Fix: Repot into a chunky bark-based mix.
Small new leaves
Likely cause: Not enough light or humidity
Fix: Brighter indirect light and higher humidity.
Anthurium Clarinervium questions
What soil does Anthurium clarinervium need?
A very airy mix of mostly orchid bark and perlite. Standard potting soil holds too much water and rots the roots.
How much humidity does clarinervium need?
Sixty percent or more. In a dry home that means a humidifier or a glass cabinet.
Is Anthurium clarinervium toxic to pets?
Yes. Calcium oxalate crystals irritate the mouth.
