If you are new to the gardening world, you have probably heard of Anthurium’s reputation as one of the most popular ornamental plants. These flowering evergreens are well-loved by many due to their striking foliage and flowers. But do you know that there are many varieties of Anthurium? Two varieties – crystallinum and clarinervium – are particularly common in households and offices.
Crystallinum and clarinervium are actually very much alike, which begs the question – what is the difference between these two plants? If you are not aware of the different varieties, you would probably even mistake one plant for the other!
This guide will go into detail about the differences between Anthurium crystallinum and clarinervium so that in the future, when you encounter either one, you will not be confused again.
Anthurium plant overview
Before discussing the detailed differences and similarities between Anthurium crystallinum and clarinervium, let us have a quick overview of these popular ornamental plants.
Anthurium crystallinum
Anthurium crystallinum, also known as crystal Anthurium, is favored by many plant lovers for its beautiful ornamental leaves, which are large, heart-shaped, and decorated with unique patterns of silvery veins. Crystallinum blends perfectly with any landscape, whether you grow it indoors or out!
As long as the plant is grown under favorable conditions, its flowers can bloom in any season. The crystallinum is also not fussy when it comes to growing requirements – just give it the right care and a bit of your attention to enjoy its attractive foliage and flowers for many years to come.
Anthurium clarinervium
Anthurium clarinervium, also known as velvet cardboard Anthurium, is a flowering plant native to Mexico. Like its crystallinum cousin, this stunning houseplant is an epiphyte, meaning that it grows on tree trunks and other plants. Although the clarinervium is well-acclimatized to hot regions, it can also adapt well to cooler temperatures. This means that growing a clarinervium is not a headache – it is highly adaptable and does not demand a lot.
Perhaps the only challenge of growing a clarinervium is its slow growth rate. But, with enough time and patience, you will be rewarded with striking flowers and thick, leathery foliage worthy of display.
Anthurium crystallinum versus clarinervium – the differences
Although crystallinum and clarinervium might seem similar at first glance, these plants do have a lot of different features that make them stand out from one another.
1. Speed of growth
Anthurium plants tend to grow taller outdoors than indoors, where they can reach a height of up to 12 inches.
But when it comes to growth rate, crystallinum grows faster than clarinervium. Its buds and aerial roots multiply quickly and it therefore appears denser when compared with its clarinervium cousin.
Clarinervium is relatively slower to grow and requires a more complicated care routine. You might find this plant a bit challenging to maintain – not to mention its expensive price tag.
Overall, if you want a variety that is easy to grow and propagate, then Anthurium crystallinum is clearly the winner.
2. Berries and seeds
Another way to distinguish between crystallinum and clarinervium is through the seeds and the color of the berries.
Anthurium crystallinum produces berries that are white at first, and later turn purple as they reach maturity. Anthurium clarinervium grows white berries as well, but these later turn orange as the plant grows older.
Another important feature is the size of the berries. If you look closely, the clarinervium has larger berries that contain more seeds. This is also why this variety has a slower growth rate.
The berries of crystallinum, on the other hand, are smaller in size since they only contain a single seed.
3. Foliage
If you do not have a keen eye, you might easily mistake the leaves of these two Anthurium varieties as replicas of one another. But, if you look closer, you will notice that the shapes and patterns of the foliage actually have several differences.
One noticeable feature that makes these Anthuriums different is the thickness of the leaves. The clarinervium has thicker leaves that appear leathery and robust, while those of the crystallinum are the exact opposite – thinner and fragile-looking.
When it comes to the shape, both varieties have almost the same heart-shaped leaves. But experienced botanists can tell the slight difference – the heart shape of the clarinervium’s leaves is more noticeable, while the crystallinum’s are slightly bit elongated.
You can also differentiate between crystallinum and clarinervium by the color of their leaves. Crystallinum produces brighter leaves, whereas clarinervium leaves appear darker. Hence, the silver vein pattern of crystallinum foliage is more vibrant than that of the clarinervium.
4. Reproduction process
Anthurium crystallinum follows a vegetative process to reproduce, while Anthurium clarinervium reproduces generatively. That is why the latter grows more flowers and seeds, which makes it grow a bit slower. But, if you have the patience, it will reward you with larger, elegant-looking flowers to show off to your guests.
Both crystallinum and clarinervium can be propagated through cuttings, seed pollination, or division. While any novice gardener can easily employ these methods, each plant does have its own set of problems while growing. So, be sure to provide the optimal care for your Anthuriums if you have decided to grow and reproduce them.
Anthurium crystallinum vs clarinervium – the similarities
Most of the similarities between crystallinum and clarinervium are linked to their growing requirements. Hence, whether you choose a crystallinum or a clarinervium – or both, there should be no difference when it comes to caring for these ornamental plants. Some of the similarities they share are:
1. Temperature and humidity
Humidity and temperature both play an important role in the proper growth of Anthuriums. To grow and maintain luxuriant foliage and flowers, the environmental temperature must be around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity levels must be between 55 to 65 percent.
Neither the crystallinum nor the clarinervium will survive well in freezing temperatures. Hence, you should protect these precious plants from frost to avoid irreversible damage to their leaves and tissues.
2. Watering requirements
Both Anthurium crystallinum and clarinervium need to be watered about three times a week, especially during spring and summer, to thrive. These plants want moist but not waterlogged soil, so make sure not to overwater them, or risk root rot.
The best time to water your Anthurium is when the topsoil is 50 to 75 percent dry. Most gardeners check the dryness of the soil using the finger test. However, for more accurate results, you might want to consider a soil moisture probe that can easily be purchased online.
3. Ideal soil
Both these Anthurium varieties have the same soil requirements, too! Being epiphytes, they thrive well in loose and well-draining soil. Do not plant them in traditional garden soil or clay soil, as this medium can retain too much water and damage the root system.
Anthuriums also love nutrient-rich, slightly acidic soil, within a range of pH 5.5 to 6.5. If you are not sure about your soil’s acidity, we recommend testing it with a soil pH meter. There are several brands you can purchase on Amazon, such as SONKIR, that will help you check your soil condition from time to time.
The ideal potting mix should have a blend of 25 percent bark, 25 percent perlite, and 50 percent sphagnum to help your Anthuriums reach their full potential. Using orchid soil mixed with sand and peat moss should also work well for these ornamental plants.
4. Lighting requirements
Most Anthurium species originated from the exotic rainforests of Central and South America where they grow under the canopy of trees. Hence, both crystallinum and clarinervium do best in areas with partial or indirect sunlight. All they need is at least six hours of indirect light per day to grow well and stay happy. However, keep in mind that they might not survive in direct sunlight, as the intense heat will likely burn their leaves.
5. Fertilization
As with other houseplants, Anthuriums grow better and faster with fertilizer. We suggest feeding your plants with a fertilizer rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for stronger roots, stems, and foliage. However, make sure to fertilize them only during the growing seasons. Do not fertilize during winter, as plants at this time will generally go dormant and the excess nutrients could do more harm than good.
6. Plant size
When it comes to size, both Anthuriums can reach the same width – about 15 inches. However, the two do have slight differences in height, with crystallinum reaching 30 inches and clarinervium growing to 25 inches. Still, it is noteworthy to mention since their almost similar sizes can easily confuse a novice gardener when the plants are placed side by side.
Conclusion
Anthurium crystallinum and Anthurium clarinervium are often mistaken for the same plant, due to their very similar looks and requirements. However, these stunning perennials do actually have some differences in their foliage, berries, growth rate, and the way they reproduce. These distinctions are important to know so that you can decide which Anthurium plant is the right one for you. Hopefully, through this guide, any doubt and confusion have been set aside and you can easily distinguish the crystallinum from the clarinervium with a single glance!
Image: istockphoto.com / Ganjar Pandu