Anthurium radicans
Brazil (eastern Bahia).
First described by Karl Koch & Haage. (1855)
Textured, bullate, heart-shaped green leaves with a quilted surface; petioles arise from a creeping stem.
Creeping/lithophytic Anthurium that roots along the stem and spreads horizontally more than vertically.
radicans means rooting, referring to the plant’s tendency to root along the stem.
Accepted Anthurium species. POWO lists it as a perennial or lithophyte from the wet tropical biome. It is known in cultivation for a creeping/radicans habit and bullate leaves.
Give a shallow, wide pot or basket with chunky mix and space for the stem to creep. Keep lightly moist and humid but not waterlogged.
Repot only when needed into a chunky bark/perlite/coco or similar aroid mix. Keep the crown above the mix and avoid oversized pots.
Monthly at quarter to half strength during active growth. Flush occasionally if using mineral fertiliser.
- Stem rot if the creeping stem stays buried and wet; distorted leaves from humidity/root stress; spider mites or thrips on new growth.
- This one is a useful exception to the “Anthuriums are upright” shortcut: its name and growth habit both point to rooting along the stem.