Velvet Cardboard Anthurium

Velvet Cardboard Anthurium (Anthurium clarinervium) is a slow growing tropical foliage plant from Mexico, grown for heart shaped, velvety dark green leaves with a web of pale green-white veins. It reaches about 50cm tall and 60cm wide. It suits warm, humid, sheltered spots, from a tropical garden to a well lit patio or a bathroom window.

Why you'll love it

• Leaves that feel like velvet. The dark green, heart shaped leaves are soft to the touch, and the pale veins make each one look hand drawn.
• Prized by florists. It is grown commercially for its leaves, which high end florists value, and it is also kept as a special indoor plant.
• Slow and tidy. It grows slowly, so it keeps its shape and does not outgrow its pot quickly.
• Two shades of green. Young leaves emerge a brighter apple green and may not show their veins yet, giving two tones on one plant.
• A flexible plant. It suits borders, undergrowth planting where it makes good groundcover, containers and indoor decor.

Where it works best

Bathrooms and bright rooms. Indoors it does best in a bathroom or bright room where the air holds humidity. Keep it out of direct sun and cold draughts.

Tropical undergrowth. In frost-free gardens, plant 60cm apart beneath taller plants. It forms good groundcover in a partly shaded spot.

Containers. A pot of well drained, organic rich mix suits it, and the plant is an epiphyte in the wild, so it dislikes heavy, wet soil.

Growing Velvet Cardboard Anthurium in Australia

Position and climate. A partly shaded position in the garden or home, out of direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves, but in bright light. It suits warm climates, high humidity and sheltered areas. Protect it from cold and draughts, and keep it above 15 degrees Celsius. Outside the tropics and the warmest subtropical gardens, that means growing it in a pot that comes indoors.

Soil. A free draining, slightly acid to neutral soil rich in organic matter. A potting mix rich in peat moss or humus is ideal.

Water and feed. Water regularly through the first 12 weeks until the plant is established, then when the soil surface is dry, and less in winter. Mist often in dry locations and when growing indoors. Feed with a fertiliser for foliage plants monthly from spring to autumn, but not too heavily.

Pruning. Pruning is minimal. Remove damaged leaves at the base and wipe the surface gently with a damp cloth to remove dust. The leaves contain a poisonous substance, so keep children and pets away.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Velvet Cardboard Anthurium as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube, and in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Our grower supplies the tube stock and it is not always available. A sold out tube simply means the grower has none just now, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back. Expect a small, slow growing young plant. Unpack promptly, pot it up in a free draining mix, and keep it warm, humid and shaded from bright sun.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse tropical plants
• More indoor plants
• Indoor exotic plants guide
• Low light indoor plants

Common questions

Why are the veins pale?

That web of pale green-white veins is the plant's signature. Young leaves are a brighter apple green and may not show the veins yet.

Does it flower?

Mature plants may produce small white anthurium flowers, but it is grown for its leaves rather than its blooms.

What temperature does it need?

Keep it above 15 degrees Celsius and protected from cold and draughts. It rewards warmth, shelter, humidity and not too much food.