Are you an admirer of velvety anthuriums? Let us introduce another exotic aroid. Anthurium magnificum is a popular member of its genus, grown for its admirable foliage. The Columbian native plant is an evergreen, epiphytic perennial, introduced in 1865. Juvenile leaves with burgundy shades mature into 6 to 10 inches dark-green coriaceous(leathery) leaves with prominent white veining. Moreover, the plant surprisingly blooms throughout the year with well-developed bisexual flowers.
The big and bold leaves clearly mention its natural links with the jungle. However, with proper care, it can dwell equally well in indoor environments. The green-leafed Magnificum is magnificent enough to decorate any corner of your home or garden.
In this article, we are going to share more interesting facts about the A. magnificum plant and its care.
Anthurium Magnificum Classification
Family: Araceae.
Genus: Anthurium.
Species: A. magnificent.
Genus Anthurium
Anthurium is the largest genus of the Arum( Araceae) family comprising about 1000 flowering plant species. This collection includes both epiphytic and terrestrial plants. This American native genus was introduced by Schott in 1829. Moreover, a number of common names are associated with Anthuriums including laceleafs, tail flowers, and flamingo flower plants. Additionally, for further classification, this genus is further divided into numerous sections.
Anthurium Magnificum Plant Features
- This plant belongs to the section Cardiolonchium of its genus.
- The height and spread of an average plant are around 24 to 60 inches (60 to 90 cm).
- The stem of the plant is central and strongly rooted to support the capacious leaves.
- The actual stem is the base of the plant and not the commonly confusing leaf supporting petioles.
- Surprisingly, it blooms throughout the year with beautiful green to white, perfectly made, and bisexual flowers.
- Maganificum is suitable for indoor containers as forming landscape plants in tropical gardens.
Magnificum and Other Anthuriums
You can differentiate it from other similar species by its quadrangular (four-sided) or C-Shaped petioles.
The Magnificum and the popular A. clarinervium plant belong to different sections of the genus. You can differentiate the later by the lighter shade of its veins. Thus, making them look more defined against the velvety green leaves.
Toxicity
Your big and beautiful-looking green leaves are toxic for you and your pets. Just like other Anthuriums and the cousin Philodendrons, the magnificums have high levels of calcium oxalate crystals in them. So, be careful friends!
Anthurium Magnificum x Crystallinum
Before we move towards the hybrid, let us have a little introduction about the A. crystallinum plant.
This plant is an epiphytic flowering perennial. The Crystal Anthurium grows about 35 inches in height. Moreover, the large green and velvety leaves with prominent white veining make it look admirable for both indoor and outdoor decoration.
Coming towards the hybrid, the Anthurium crystallinum x magnificum inherits the beauty of both of the parents and becomes one of the most beautiful Anthurium hybrids. About 8 inches big, velvety round leaves with beautiful white venation make it an important plant to be in your Anthurium collection. Moreover, just like the parents, the juvenile leaves are reddish in shade with pinkish veins.
Anthurium Magnificum Care
The Anthuriums and their hybrids have pretty similar requirements. Let learn about how to care for your A. magnificum and Anthurium magnificum x Crystallinum plant.
Water Requirement
Season of Growth
The water requirement of the plant is variable according to the weather. In general, the plants need frequent watering followed by intervals of dry soil. In spring and summer, you need to water your velvet-leaf beauty twice or thrice a week. You can get an idea about the water requirement when the upper layer of the soil gets about 80% dry. Yes, at the start you can even check the soil by dipping your finger in it.
Season of Dormancy
On the other hand, on colder days, the requirement will reduce to once every 10 to 14 days. You need to water again as soon as the soil gets completely dry.
Note:
Make sure you never overwater your Anthuriums, as it will be an invitation to plant issues like root rot and fungus.
Light Requirements
Season of Growth
Anthuriums love bright to medium indirect sunlight.
Season of Dormancy
However, in winter and fall, the Anthurium magnificum and its hybrids can conveniently survive in partial shades.
Note:
Avoid keeping the plant in direct and unfiltered exposure to sunlight, as the fierce sun will burn the sensitive leaves.
Temperature Requirement
The optimal temperature range for the Anthuriums is 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
These plants are not wintered hardy. Thus, a fall in temperature below 55 degrees will freeze and harm (even kill) your veined-leaf plants. Make sure you transfer them to suitably warm areas, as soon as the fall arrives.
We recommend keeping them in areas with good air circulation. However, close exposure to ACs and heaters is not suitable.
Humidity Requirement
Are you looking for an indoor plant for your kitchen or bathroom? These plants love to live in high moisture (at least 60 to &70%). Low humidity will dry out your plants. In case you feel that the atmosphere is getting dry, you can provide adequate moisture by using a humidifier or a pebble-water tray. Moreover, misting is a good and easy option.
Note:
Make sure you avoid keeping the plants soggy. Or you can invite plant issues like fungus and leaf-rot.
Soil Requirements
To hold these plants well, the PH of the soil should be neutral (6.6 to 7.5) and it must have dual qualities. Apart from being well-drained, it needs to have slight water retaining ability as well. Furthermore, you can use a commercially mixed Anthurium substrate. Potting soil mixture with orchid mix or perlite is a good option. Additionally, a mixture of materials like potting soil, mulch, gravel, perlite, and sphagnum moss shows equally good results.
Fertilizer Requirement
Season of Growth
The plants will love to have some added nutrients in a constrained quantity of a suitable fertilizer. You can use orchid or flowering house plant mix once a month from March to September.
Season of Dormancy
Once the weather starts getting cold, you don’t need to fertilize your Anthuriums.
Pot Requirement
These plants have an extensive and well-built rooting system. Thus, we recommend using spacious pots with drainage holes at the bottom. In addition, these plants grow best if you keep a supporting totem in the pot. The heavy leaves will surely love to have some extra support.
Growth Zone
The plants are hardy in USDA zones 9a to 11.
Anthurium Magnificum Propagation
These plants are commonly propagated by division. The best time to repot and propagate an Anthurium is early spring. Gently take out a mature healthy plant and feel the roots to be separated. For successful propagation, each division should get at least two to three leaves and some healthy roots. Use moist breathable substrate for the plantlets.
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Summary
Anthurium magnificum is an exotic evergreen aroid grown for its beautiful foliage. The big green and velvety leaves are marked with prominent white venation. This plant is hybridized with the Crystal Anthurium to form the Anthurium magnificum x crystallinum with its round big leaves. These velvety beauties are toxic in nature and good choices to beautify your indoor pots and gardens.
