Which Anthurium Do You Have? 18 Varieties Identified, From Common Flamingo Flower to Rare Crystallinum

Walk into any garden center in the US and you’ll find Anthurium andraeanum next to the pothos and the snake plants — the red-spathed flamingo flower with waxy “blooms” that last for months. Scroll through any aroid collector’s feed and you’ll find something that barely resembles it: near-black velvety leaves with silver veins, 4-foot sword-like fronds, or round leaves attached to their stems without a notch or gap.

Both are anthuriums. The genus spans more than 1,500 species, and the gap between the $8 grocery-store flamingo flower and the $800 collector specimen is wider than most houseplant guides acknowledge. This guide covers 18 species — from the andraeanum you can buy at a hardware store to the cutucuense that’s both legally and ethically difficult to acquire. Each entry gives you the specific feature that distinguishes it from its near-lookalikes. If you already own an anthurium and aren’t sure which one, start with the quick-ID table in the next section. For care specifics shared across the genus, see our anthurium growing guide.

How to Identify an Anthurium Before You Look Up the Species

Most anthurium misidentification starts because growers jump to comparing leaf photos without checking the three features that actually distinguish species.

Spathe or no spathe? Anthuriums produce two reproductive structures: a spathe (the waxy, leaf-like bract) and a spadix (the finger-like spike bearing the true flowers). Species in the andraeanum group are grown for their colorful spathes — but the spathe is a modified leaf, not a petal. That’s why those “flowers” last two to three months before fading, which is impossible for a true petal. Foliage anthuriums produce modest green or purple spathes that most growers never notice.

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Leaf shape and texture. Heart-shaped leaves with velvety surfaces point to Section Cardiolonchium — the group containing crystallinum, clarinervium, magnificum, and regale. Strap-like or ribbon leaves point to pendant species like vittarifolium or wendlingeri. Deeply corrugated lance-shaped leaves almost certainly mean veitchii.

Petiole cross-section. Look at the stem where the leaf connects to the plant. A smooth, round (terete) petiole points to A. crystallinum. A distinctly winged, rectangular or pentagonal petiole points to A. magnificum. This single test resolves one of the most common collector confusions — and one that retail plant labels almost never address.

Flowering Anthuriums — The Spathe-First Group

These are the anthuriums at every garden center. Their appeal is the spathe — the waxy, heart-shaped bract most people call the flower. The actual flowers are the tiny bumps on the spadix; the spathe is a modified leaf that evolved to attract pollinators. Understanding this explains why those “flowers” can last two to three months — they never needed to wilt like a true petal does.

1. Anthurium andraeanum — Flamingo Flower

Rarity: Common

The plant that put anthuriums on kitchen windowsills worldwide. Wild specimens from Colombia and Ecuador have spathes in orange-to-red tones, but the commercial hybrids available today span white, pink, salmon, green, and deep burgundy — all products of complex interspecific breeding developed over the past century. NC State Cooperative Extension identifies several cultivars worth knowing by name: ‘Acropolis’ (pure white, outstanding cut-flower life), ‘Florida’ (bright red, the most commonly sold form), ‘Midori’ (lime green), and ‘Cheers’ (soft pink). The spadix is straight and creamy yellow — a key point of difference from scherzerianum, where it coils into a spiral.

Care baseline: 65–80°F (18–27°C), 60–80% humidity, bright indirect light. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals — a low-severity irritant causing oral pain and swelling if chewed, plus contact dermatitis with repeated skin exposure. Keep away from pets and children.

2. Anthurium scherzerianum — Pigtail Anthurium

Rarity: Common

Near-identical spathe colors to andraeanum, which is why these two get swapped constantly at retail. The instant tell is the spadix: scherzerianum has a tight coil or corkscrew twist — the pigtail — while andraeanum’s is perfectly straight. UF/IFAS Extension notes this as the more compact species, better suited to limited shelf space. Both hold RHS Awards of Garden Merit.

3. Anthurium amnicola — Tulip Anthurium

Rarity: Uncommon

The most visually distinct of the flowering group. The spathe is narrow and partly tubular in lilac-to-purple tones — a color no other widely-grown anthurium produces. Where andraeanum spathes are flat and heart-shaped, amnicola’s wrap partly around the spadix in a way that genuinely resembles a tulip. Less commonly sold but available from specialist tropical nurseries, usually at a small premium over the standard flamingo flower.

Bird’s Nest Types — The Underrated Landscape Group

4. Anthurium hookeri — Bird’s Nest Anthurium

Rarity: Common

The only anthurium in this list regularly recommended for outdoor landscape use. UF/IFAS cites it specifically for mass plantings, borders, and groundcover in USDA zones 10A–11B. Instead of producing individual leaf stems, hookeri forms a central rosette of broad strap-shaped leaves radiating outward like a bird’s nest bowl. Indoors, it works as a bold floor plant in spaces too dark for andraeanum to flower well — hookeri is grown for its foliage and doesn’t need high light to look good.

5. Anthurium superbum

Rarity: Uncommon

A larger version of the bird’s nest habit with broader leaves and a more pronounced cup posture — the rosette sits deeper and tighter than hookeri’s. Less commonly sold but available from aroid specialty growers. A solid choice if you have floor-level space and want maximum tropical impact with minimal upkeep demands.

Heart-Leaf Velvet — The Collector Group Most Often Misidentified

Five species share a similar heart-shaped velvet leaf with white veining, and they get mislabeled constantly — especially as seedlings. The differences are learnable, which matters when prices range from $15 to $150 per plant depending on species.

6. Anthurium clarinervium — Velvet Cardboard Anthurium

Rarity: Common to Uncommon

The most beginner-accessible velvet-leaf species. Leaves are thick, stiff, and almost leathery — closer to cardboard than cloth — with bright white veining on dark green. Two definitive identifiers: berries turn orange-red at maturity (crystallinum berries turn purple), and leaves rarely exceed 10 inches indoors. In my experience growing both species side by side, clarinervium is noticeably more tolerant of the 45–50% humidity common in heated homes — the leaf edges stay clean where crystallinum starts showing browning tips at the same conditions.

7. Anthurium crystallinum — Crystal Anthurium

Rarity: Common to Uncommon

Larger than clarinervium (up to 20 inches indoors), with a thinner, more delicate leaf texture and a coppery or pinkish underside that clarinervium lacks. The petiole is smooth and round in cross-section. New leaves often emerge with a purple tint before settling to deep green. Berry color is the most reliable definitive check when both species are present: purple = crystallinum, orange-red = clarinervium. Before berries appear, check the leaf underside — copper-tinged means crystallinum.

8. Anthurium magnificum — Magnificent Anthurium

Rarity: Uncommon

Most growers can’t tell magnificum from crystallinum until they examine the petiole. Magnificum’s petiole is distinctly winged and quadrangular (4–5-sided) in cross-section — not smooth and round like crystallinum’s. New growth often emerges burgundy or deep bronze before maturing to dark green, with bolder venation than either crystallinum or clarinervium. Leaf undersides lack the copper tint of crystallinum.

9. Anthurium regale — Regal Anthurium

Rarity: Rare

Size is the first signal. Healthy specimens produce leaves up to 3 feet long indoors, with more pronounced basal lobes than any other species in this group. The venation is also distinctive: where crystallinum and magnificum display a network of fine secondary veins, regale has one dominant central vein with sparsely branching secondaries — a cleaner, more architectural pattern. Requires stable warmth and consistent high humidity; cold drafts cause immediate leaf damage.

10. Anthurium papillilaminum

Rarity: Rare

The darkest of the heart-leaf velvets — leaves are near-black on young specimens, settling to very deep green at maturity. The leaf apex is more elongated and pointed than the rounder crystallinum or clarinervium, and the basal lobes can overlap completely on mature specimens. Tissue-cultured plants have made this more accessible in recent years; specialist tropical nurseries typically stock it at $40–80 per plant.

Statement Plants — Queen, King, and Metallic Forms

11. Anthurium warocqueanum — Queen Anthurium

Rarity: Rare

Identifiable by its narrow, sword-like leaves reaching up to 4 feet long — a shape no other velvet species matches. The velvety surface is a low-light adaptation: in deep shade, leaf cells modify their structure to maximize light capture, which creates the velvet texture. Move this plant into very bright indirect light and the texture gradually flattens and fades. It also bleaches rapidly when temperatures exceed 38°C (100°F). For detailed cultivation advice specific to this species, see our Queen Anthurium cultivation guide.

12. Anthurium veitchii — King Anthurium

Rarity: Rare

The corrugations are the instant identifier — deep parallel ridges running the full length of lance-shaped leaves up to 6 feet long, like rigid corduroy or an accordion panel. No other commonly cultivated anthurium shares this texture at this scale. It produces approximately one new leaf every three months under ideal conditions, a pace that makes each new leaf feel like an event. Veitchii is a decade-long project, not a gap-filler plant.

13. Anthurium metallicum — Metallic Anthurium

Rarity: Rare

The iridescent blue-green sheen on metallicum leaves is unlike anything else in the genus — in the right light, the leaf surface appears to glow. Leaves are large and oval-to-shield-shaped, held upright on long petioles. Less frequently covered in mainstream guides than the Queen and King, metallicum rewards collectors willing to look beyond the most-marketed species.

14. Anthurium forgetii — Forget-Me-Not Anthurium

Rarity: Uncommon to Rare

The quickest identifier in the entire genus: forgetii leaves are nearly round or teardrop-shaped with no sinus — no gap or notch where the petiole attaches to the leaf base. Every other heart-leaf anthurium has some degree of sinus opening; forgetii’s petiole attaches directly without interruption. Silver venation runs across a deep green background similar to crystallinum, but the round, sinus-free shape is unmistakable once you know to look for it.

Strap, Pendant, and Specialty Leaf Forms

15. Anthurium vittarifolium — Strap Leaf Anthurium

Rarity: Uncommon

Not a foliage plant in the conventional sense — vittarifolium produces pendant, ribbon-like leaves up to 2 meters long that hang downward. Leaf surfaces are smooth and glossy rather than velvety, and the plant produces small pink spathes and spadices that are easy to overlook against the dramatic foliage. Needs a hanging basket or elevated shelf where the leaves can trail freely.

16. Anthurium wendlingeri

Rarity: Uncommon to Rare

Similar pendant habit to vittarifolium but with narrower strap leaves and a distinctly twisted or spiraled spadix — the inflorescence looks like a stretched spring. The spiral spadix is the identification key: no other trailing anthurium species commonly in cultivation shares this feature. Works well in hanging baskets or mounted on a board where the leaves drape naturally.

17. Anthurium luxurians

Rarity: Rare

The bullate texture — puckered, quilted, and bubbly between the veins — defines this species. Each leaf looks inflated between its veins, like embossed leather or a glossy green quilt. It requires 70%+ humidity consistently to produce this textured surface; below that threshold, leaves flatten and lose their character. Not a forgiving plant for inconsistent environments.

18. Anthurium villenaorum

Rarity: Rare

A compact velvet-leaf species that collectors often overlook in favor of crystallinum or clarinervium. Leaves are heart-shaped but smaller and more oval in outline, with greenish-white venation — subtler than the bold white veins of crystallinum, but attractive in a quieter way. It grows naturally as an epiphyte, so it does well mounted on bark or cork board with good airflow around the roots, rather than in a standard pot.

Collector Tier — When Availability Becomes Its Own Challenge

Anthurium cutucuense

Rarity: Endangered / Collector-Only

Endemic to just two regions of Ecuador, cutucuense produces compound trisect leaves — divided into three distinct lobes — and a bullate texture unlike any other species in this list. The problem: most commercially available specimens have not been ethically sourced. The species appears on conservation watchlists, and wild-collected plants frequently enter the trade under misleading labels. Before purchasing any cutucuense, verify propagation history with the seller and confirm tissue-cultured or nursery-propagated origin. Growing conditions are extreme: consistent high humidity approaching terrarium levels and very slow growth that tests even experienced growers. This is not a first or second anthurium purchase.

Choosing an Anthurium for Your Conditions

Rarity and collector appeal matter less than whether the species suits your actual growing environment.

Whatever species you choose, the care fundamentals are consistent: never let roots sit in standing water, use a well-draining chunky mix (bark, perlite, coarse coco coir), and water with filtered or rainwater when possible. Tap water mineral buildup causes leaf tip damage over time in the more sensitive foliage species. The full watering, soil, and fertilizer routine is in our anthurium care guide.

All 18 Anthurium Varieties at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common anthurium variety?

Anthurium andraeanum is the most widely sold anthurium globally — found in supermarkets, garden centers, and florists in red, pink, white, and green spathe forms. Its durability and near-continuous blooming under average home conditions make it the default entry point to the genus.

How do I tell anthurium crystallinum and clarinervium apart?

Check the berries if present: crystallinum berries mature to purple, clarinervium berries to orange-red. Without berries, check the leaf underside — crystallinum has a copper-tinged underside that clarinervium lacks — and compare leaf size: crystallinum commonly reaches 20 inches indoors, while clarinervium typically stays under 10 inches.

Are all anthurium varieties toxic?

Yes. All anthurium species contain calcium oxalate crystals, which cause oral irritation, drooling, and swelling if chewed, and contact dermatitis with repeated skin exposure. NC State Extension classifies this as low-severity poisoning rather than acute toxicity, but all parts should be kept away from children and pets.

Which anthurium varieties are best for beginners?

A. andraeanum, A. scherzerianum, and A. clarinervium are the three most forgiving species for average home conditions. All three tolerate 40–50% humidity, recover from occasional missed waterings, and stay under 2 feet in height — manageable for most indoor spaces.

Sources

• NC State Cooperative Extension, Anthurium andraeanum — plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/anthurium-andraeanum/ (cited in text)
• UF/IFAS Extension, Anthurium spp. FPS-42 — ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/FP042 (cited in text)
• University of West Indies, Anthurium Taxonomy and Biology
• Royal Horticultural Society, Anthuriums Plant Guide — rhs.org.uk/plants/anthuriums (cited in text)
• Jay Vannini, Velvet Leaf Anthuriums in Cultivation — Exotica Esoterica
• Smart Garden Guide, 42 Anthurium Varieties — smartgardenguide.com/anthurium-varieties/
• Ohio Tropics, 21 Anthurium Varieties You Can Collect
• Home Plants Guide, 14 Rare Anthurium Varieties