Crystal Anthurium (Anthurium crystallinum) Care Tips; Watering, Fertilizer, Humidity, Propagation
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Anthurium crystallinum (Crystal Anthurium) prefers bright indirect light, warm and humid conditions, and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Crystal Anthurium is one of favorite Anthurium varieties and features heart-shaped leaves are velvety on the surface and the leaf color changes from bronzy-purple to deep-green with age.
The foliage hangs vertically, displaying the prominent silvery veins. Under good light, the silvery veins reflect light like crystals and hence the name 'Crystal Anthurium'.
Crystal Anthurium is a spectacular plant in any space and it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
Anthurium crystallinum is widely bred, cultivated and hybridised. It is often mistaken for Anthurium clarinervium and Anthurium magnificum both of which look similar though they differ in size and leaf presentation.
Botanical name: Anthurium crystallinum
Family: Araceae
Common name: Crystal Anthurium
Origin
Anthurium crystallinum is native to the tropical regions of Panama to Peru where it grows as an epiphyte on trees. It is among popular tropical foliage plants that you can grow successfully in any space.
How big do Anthurium crystallinum grow?
Anthurium crystallinum grows to a height of 90 cm. The leaves are held on 70 cm long round petioles and can be 50 cm long and 40 cm wide which places it among the large-leafed plants ideal for a bold statement in any space.
Flower
Crystal Anthurium inflorescences are green spathes with a pale-green spandix. This plant flowers throughout the year.
Is Anthurium crystallinum toxic?
Yes. Anthurium crystallinum like other Anthuriums is toxic to both humans and pets. It contains oxalate crystals which can cause digestive distress, breathing problems and skin irritation. Always wear gloves when handling the plant and wash your hands thereafter.
Where to Buy
Are you looking to add Anthurium crystallinum to your collection? You may obtain them from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Anthurium crystallinum Care Indoors
To care for Anthurium crystallinum indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 16-270C, humidity of 60-80% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained soils coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Crystal Anthurium requires pruning to keep it neat and tidy as well as reduce pest and disease infestations. Repotting is only needed when pot-bound. Keep reading for a detailed account on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
How often should I water Anthurium crystallinum?
Water Anthurium crystallinum liberally in spring and summer until water drains from the bottom. Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy to prevent rotting, yellowing and browning leaves.
Decrease watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is reduced at this time. Do not let the soil dry out completely to prevent wilting, drooping, yellowing and brown leaf tips.
Use chlorine-free water like filtered or rain water as this plant is sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in water. Only use room temperature water to prevent cold shock which ca lead to stunted growth.
Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to root-rot and eventual loss of the plant. Avoid wetting the foliage to prevent fungal diseases.
Light Requirements
Anthurium crystallinum grows best in bright indirect light (dappled light); place it near a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunshine to prevent scorching of the leaves.
Too little light will result in yellowing and leggy growth. If the natural lighting is not adequate, use a grow light to increase for a lush growth.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for a balanced growth.
Temperature
Crystal Anthurium thrives in a warmth of 16-270C. Keep it away from sources of drafts to prevent sudden changes in temperature as they can cause stunted growth, drooping, yellowing and brown leaf tips.
Humidity
What is the humidity for Anthurium crystallinum?
Anthurium crystallinum likes a humidity of 60-80%. Too low humidity (dry air) will result in brown leaf tips and edges. To increase humidity, group the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Maintain good air circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
Fertilizer
What is the best fertilizer for Anthurium crystallinum?
Feed Anthurium crystallinum with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in the growing period for a lush growth. Stop feeding in the cold season to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time.
Flush out accumulated salts regularly by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow it to run for a few minutes and repeat the process several times to get rid of most of the salt.
Potting Soil
What is the best soil for Anthurium crystallinum?
The best potting soil for Anthurium crystallinum is a rich, free-draining soil that does not get soggy while providing the required nutrients. An Aroids potting mix is good for this plant.
Repotting
Should I repot my Anthurium crystallinum?
Yes. Repot Anthurium crystallinum every 2 years at the beginning of the growing season. Use a pot one-size larger that has a drainage hole and free-draining soil to prevent sogginess which can lead to root-rot and eventual plant death. Check out these planters with drainage hole on Amazon.
Pruning & Maintenance
Pruning Anthurium crystallinum involves removal of yellow and dead leaves to keep the plant neat as well as reduce pest and disease infestations. Cut away any wayward leaves to maintain the shape of the plant.
Cut the leaves at the base of the stem with a sharp sterlized knife or clean pair of scissors to avoid unnecessary injuries which can lead to disease infestations.
Clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust. Do not leave water drops on the leaves as it may cause fungal diseases infestations.
Anthurium crystallinum Propagation
Anthurium crystallinum is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season from splits by plant division.
Propagating Crystal Anthurium by plant division
- Water the plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
- Slip the plant out of its pot and carefully divide it into sections by pulling apart the roots. Ensure each section has adequate roots to hasten establishment.
- Select a 6 or 8 inches pot that has a drainage hole to prevent rotting.
- Fill the pot with loose, free-draining, potting mix and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.
- Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base. Take care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.
- Wet the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place until the new plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.
Related Content: How to Propagate Anthurium Plants by 5 Easy Methods
Anthurium crystallinum Problems & Remedies
Crystal Anthurium problems are brown leaves, yellow leaves, drooping leaves, brown leaf tips, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their solutions.
Brown leaves
Some of the causes of brown leaves on Anthurium crystallinum are dry air, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, salts buildup among others.
How to fix it
Dry air: To raise humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or group the plants together.
Inconsistent watering: Do not water on a schedule; water when the top 1-2 inches of soil dry and do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot with a drainage hole and free-draining soil.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like radiators, AC units, heat sources, windy doors, drafty windows and others.
Salts buildup: Regularly, leach out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until the water drains through the drainage hole.
Yellow leaves
The main causes of yellow leaves on Anthurium crystallinum are too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, drafts among others.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.
Inconsistent watering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry. Do not water on a schedule.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and free-draining soil.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from drafts coming from AC units, hot stoves, windy doors and windows, hot air vents among others.
Drooping leaves
Drooping leaves on Anthurium crystallinum are caused by low humidity, incorrect watering, direct sunlight, drafts or pests infestations.
How to fix it
Low humidity: To upscale humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other moist areas.
Incorrect watering: Do not water on a schedule. Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Direct sunlight: Keep the plant away from direct sunlight or use a sheer curtain to diffuse the sunrays.
Drafts: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like AC units, windy doors, drafty windows, heat sources among others.
Pests infestations: Inspect the plant regularly for pests and take timely control measures.
Brown leaf tips
Brown leaf tips on Anthurium crystallinum are caused by dry air, underwatering and soggy soil.
How to fix it
Dry air: To heighten humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom.
Underwatering: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry and do not allow the soil to dry out completely for a long period.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and well-draining soil.
Pests
Common pests of Anthurium crystallinum are spider mites, aphids and fungus gnats.
How to fix it
- Isolate the infested plant to minimize spread to other plants.
- Treat the infested plant with neem oil or an insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's recommendations.
- Regularly, damp-wipe the leaves with a soft cloth to discourage the pests.
- Keep the plant well pruned to minimize the hiding and breeding places for these pests.
Diseases
Crystal Anthurium is prone to root-rot disease which is more prevalent in soggy soil. The disease is characterized by general yellowing, browning, rotting and sudden plant collapse.
How to fix it
- Carefully slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots.
- Trim brown-black, mushy roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and free-draining soil to prevent the soil from soggy.
- Do not water the plant immediately; keep it dry for 5-7 days before you can resume watering.
- Reduce watering in fall and winter as growth is less at this time; keep the soil slightly moist.
Related Content: 8 Common Anthurium Problems and How to Fix Them.
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