Anthurium Magnificum is a beautiful plant from the Araceae plant family with large, green foliage and beautiful red flowers in spring. These plants have enormous, heavy leaves and so a little external support will be highly appreciated. Their beautiful features and easy care makes them currently a hit in the botanical market, but they are especially well-known for their unique, beautifully structured flowers.
Classification
- Family: Araceae
- Subfamily: Pothoideae
- Genus: Anthurium
About the Genus Anthurium
In the Greek language, Anthurium translates as “tail flower”, referring to the shape of its flowers and leaves. This genus of flowering plants has about 1000 species that fall under it and is the largest of all the genera in the Araceae family. These plants are also known as Tailflower, Flamingo Flower or sometimes, Laceleaf. These are all herbs that grow as either epiphytes or terrestrial plants. They vary in shapes and sizes but are all equally stunning to look at.
All Anthurium plants grow flowers that have both male and female parts. The tiny flowers grow on a spadix, which is a long spike-shaped structure, and a spathe, which lies underneath the spadix. The plant even bears fruit on these tiny flowers, mostly berries that grow in clusters.
Unfortunately, all Anthurium plants are toxic and cannot be ingested. They contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause inflammation if eaten and handled.
Even still, most of these Anthurium plants are popularly grown as indoor houseplants because of their beautiful foliage. The most popular of these being Anthurium Magnificum and Anthurium Crystallinum as well as their hybrid, Anthurium Magnificum x Crystallinum.
Origin and Distribution
The genus Anthurium comes from the northern areas of Mexico to those of Argentine and some parts of the Caribbean. However, Anthurium Magnificum is found exclusively in Columbia, South America.
Anthurium Magnificum Features
Foliage and Stem
All Anthurium plants look different when they are babies and when they are mature plants. The petioles that support the leaves, often known as “stems” of the plant are winged. The actual stem of the plant is its base. The leaves have interesting velvet, glossy look, and a leathery feel to them. They are dark green but may sometimes have two different colors (bi-colored). They are relatively paler from underneath and have a matte finish. These leaves grow on large, long stalks. The stem may be as long as 15 to 20 inches, the general rule is, the longer the spathe, the longer the plant’s stem.
Evergreen
What’s amazing about this plant is that it stays healthy and green all through the year, no matter what season it is. This is one of the many reasons why it is so much in demand by houseplant lovers around the world.
Height
If given the right Anthurium Magnificum care, these plants can grow foliage as big as four feet. However, because the leaves grow so big and heavy, the plant may need some kind of external support to stand upright, like a wall or a pole.
Temperature Tolerance
These plants are not fond of extreme changes in temperature, especially cold climates. So, make sure you shift them to a more suitable spot when it gets chilly outside.
Humidity Tolerance
In terms of moisture in the air, these plants have a moderate tolerance to it. Just make sure your plant gets enough humidity to stay hydrated and healthy, but not too much that it starts to rot.
Flowers
All Anthurium plants are aroids which means that they grow spadix and spathes that, in turn, grow tiny flowers. The spathes are curved and green in color while the spadix is a darker shade of green and turns yellow as it matures. These flowers are a beautiful shape and are red. They grow on a slim, lean stalk and have spathes that could be white, yellow, red, or green. They consist of both male and female parts but do not self-pollinate because the female part becomes active before the male pollen-creating part so the pollinators must do their job and bring pollen from other plants. When pollinated, these flowers bear fruits in the form of berries that have seeds in them.
Drought-resistance
These plants do not do well without water and should not be kept thirsty for long. A dehydrated Anthurium Magnificum looks dull, dry, and very ill.
Pressure Tolerance
These plants have thick, leathery leaves but are not tolerant of extreme pressure. Even though they might not die immediately if stepped on, consistent pressure may disrupt their structure and growth.
Disease Resistance
Anthurium plants are not disease resistant and may catch bacterial and fungal infections. Some of the most common ones that you need to keep an eye on are:
- Bacterial Blight caused by Xanthomonas
- Fungal Root Rot caused by Pythium or Rhizoctonia
- Black nose disease caused by Colletotrichum Gloeosporioides
All of these diseases generally make the plant look overall pale, give it holes and lesions and in worst cases, kill them. You can manage an infected plant by isolating it as soon as possible so that the disease-causing microbes do not spread to the other plants. Next, prune the dead, diseased parts of the plant, and re-pot it if necessary. Use fungicide and give it the proper care to bring it back to normal health.
Pest Resistance
These particular plants are rabbit and deer resistant, however, occasional visits by annoying bugs and insects can be expected. Make sure you keep your plant clean and wipe it with Neem oil or alcohol every once in a while.
Growth
The growth rate of a Magnificum plant depends on its genetic makeup and the environment it is being kept. Other factors that affect its growth are the soil type it grows in, watering sessions that are being given to it, and the pot it is planted in.
Toxicity
These plants cannot be ingested at any cost. They contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause stomach symptoms if ingested and skin irritation on careless handling. Make sure you keep these plants away from your pets and children. If accidentally eaten, take the patient for emergency medical help immediately.
Durability
Because of their perennial life cycle, they stay green and healthy for a very long time if given the right care and conditions to live.
Maintenance
These plants are considered to be rather low-maintenance considering their easy care and moderate environmental needs. This is another major reason why houseplant enthusiasts are in love with this particular specie.
Dormancy
During the winter season, these plants “go to sleep” and stop growing for about 6 to 8 weeks. During this time, make sure to water it adequately, not overly, and avoid feeding, pruning, or propagating it. You can do all of that once it “wakes up” in spring.
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Anthurium Magnificum Care
Anthurium Magnificum care requires warm temperatures and moderate light and humidity. Watering and feeding the plant is not a hassle as both can be done once or twice a week depending on the plant’s needs. It does not need frequent repotting and only needs grooming every once in a while.
Quick Care Guide
| Watering | Once 2 to 3 inches of soil is dry. |
| Soil | Moist, organic, and well-drained. |
| Sunlight | Moderate indirect sunlight. |
| Temperature | 55 to 80 F. |
| Fertilizer | Once every week or month. |
Water Requirements
You can water your Anthurium Magnificum as soon as you feel the first 2 to 3 inches of soil becoming dry. However, these plants love moist soil so make sure you don’t dry it out completely, nor do you want it wet. You can either use a moisture meter for the accuracy or just use your finger to feel the texture of the soil before you water it.
Soil Requirements
These plants love a rich, moist, organic soil that drains well and has a pH of about 6.5. A soil mix that has equal parts of potting mix and orchid or perlite is well-suited for them.
Sunlight Requirement
Moderate amounts of indirect, filtered sunlight work best for these plants. You can place them next to a window or behind sheer curtains to make sure they are not exposed to direct, scorching sunlight that can burn their leaves. Using a shade cloth is also beneficial for this purpose.
Temperature
A temperature range of 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal to grow Anthurium plants. Remember to keep the temperature moderate at all times and move the plant to a more suitable spot if the climate gets too warm or too cold.
Humidity
Just like temperature, these creatures love moderate humidity in the air. If your area lacks moisture in the air, you may get an indoor humidifier installed. If not, you can group a couple of water-loving plants. This is a good trick to increase humidity around a moisture-loving plant. Misting may also prove to be beneficial if done right.
Fertilizer
You can fertilize your Anthurium Magnificum weekly or monthly to boost its growth. Just make sure you are not using cheap or low-quality plant food as that contains cheap salts that may silently kill your plant.
Re-potting Requirements
You can repot your plant when it seems to be re-bound. Some common indications of this are:
- Roots that are spreading around the surface of the soil in circular motions,
- Roots escaping the drainage holes of the pot,
- Leaves looking dull and dry even after proper watering routine,
- A broken pot or container.
Preferably do this in spring when the plant comes out of dormancy. To do this, arrange a bigger pot for the plant and prepare it with suitable soil. The new pot should be at least one or two inches larger in diameter than the present pot. Now, carefully take out the plant from its current pot and shift it to the new one. Water your plant well and carry on the same routine as before. Just avoid fertilizing it for a few weeks or months after repotting it.
Grooming and Mulching Requirements
Now and then, you should remove the dead or un-well foliage from under the plant and clean the healthy ones. Grooming your plant makes sure it looks healthy and also stimulates new growth. You can also mulch the plants as it is recommended by plant-growers.
Anthurium Magnificum Propagation
It is rather simple to propagate an Anthurium plant.
- Start by sterilizing and sanitizing all your equipment and wearing protective clothing because you don’t want to spread any infections or hurt yourself during the process.
- Choose a mature Anthurium and cut off a piece of its stem with a clean, sharp pair of scissors, knife or blade. The cutting can be 6-8 inches long and should have a couple of leaves on its end.
- Next, prepare a new pot with suitable soil and proper drainage holes.
- Dig a hole in the center of the soil. Make it 2 to 3 inches deep with your finger or a gardening tool.
- Now, plant the cutting in the soil. Make sure it is upright and cut end of the stem is beneath the soil and the leaves stay out of it.
- Water your plant thoroughly and keep the soil moist at all times (not dry, not soggy, just moist).
- Place the pot in a warm, well-lit spot to grow.
One of the most well-loved and popular hybrids of this plant is the Anthurium Crystallinum x Magnificum. This particular plant a mixture of the beautiful features of the parent Magnificum plants and the silver veining of the other parent Crystallinum plants. The resulting hybrid specie has beautiful, rounded foliage with a velvet feel that grow as long as 6 inches.
Growth Timeline
Week 1: Plant your cutting and water it as needed under suitable warmth and sunlight.
Weeks 4-6: Roots will start to grow at this point.
Months 3-5: Your plant will now grow as fast or slow as the care it is given so make sure you fulfill all its needs and protect it from harm.
Anthurium Magnificum FAQs
Inappropriate watering is the number one cause of a browning Anthurium plant. If overdone, it can lead to fungal and bacterial invasions and make your plant sick. If you see this happening, immediately check the roots of your plant. If there is visible browning or blackening down there, confirm an infection, and take appropriate measures. Isolate the plant, prune its diseases or dead parts and repot it if needed. Spray a commercial fungicide and take care of it as you normally would.
The beautiful flowers on Anthurium plants live as long as four to six weeks, depending on where you keep them and how you care for them.
The beautiful flowers on Anthurium plants live as long as four to six weeks, depending on where you keep them and how you care for them.
There could be several reasons for this happening, some of them being:
-Improper watering (over-watering or under-watering, water being too salty)
– Too much light
– Too less light
– Improper diet (nutritional deficiencies)
– Poor soil drainage
– Unsuitable soil mix
– Dry environment (lack of humidity in the air)
– Extreme temperatures
You can fix your plant’s health by fixing the underlying problem. Shift the plant to a better spot, opt for indoor humidifiers or try misting occasionally, try putting the pot in a pebble tray, or group some plants together. Give it proper plant food and water it as needed. Make sure the soil is the right texture and makeup. Check the pot for proper drainage and size.
How to Plant an Anthurium Plant?
To plant one of these, you will need to prepare a suitable soil that is neither too dry nor too heavy, with high organic matter and good drainage capacity. Plant the Anthurium in a raised bed, less than 5 cm deep to avoid any root or stem rots. You can give the planted Anthurium external support of a stalk and water it as needed. You can also mulch the growing plant.
The ideal recommended pot for these plants should be 10 to 20 inches in diameter and about 10 inches in depth. Just make sure the pot is not too small, as root bound Anthurium will not grow.
Anthurium Magnificum vs Clarinervium
Both these plants are very often mixed up and mistaken to be the other, but if paid close attention, they can be differentiated. Clarinervium has rounded petioles and is comparatively smaller than the former. Its veins have a lighter color and are more defined and in contrast with its darker leaves.
Displaying An Anthurium Magnificum Plant
Because of their size and foliage, they look beautiful displayed on their own in balconies, patios, and indoors in the corners of your rooms. They add an instant tropical vibe to your place without causing a lot of mess and seeking much of your time and attention. However, while you are displaying them, make sure they are out of your pets and children’s reach.
Conclusion
Anthurium Magnificum plants are beautiful plants that look great displayed in any house and are very easy to take care of. These low-maintenance, high-quality plants are found exclusively in Columbia and can be easily propagated. Their hybrid plant Anthurium Magnificum x Clarinervum is a rather beautiful botanical masterpiece itself.
