Anthuriums can come in various shapes, sizes, and colors. Some have vibrant spathes and blooms, while others boast striking foliage.
With our list of both common and rare anthurium types, you’re bound to find the plant that will suit your home’s aesthetics perfectly!
How Many Varieties of Anthuriums Are There?
Native to Central and South American rainforests, the anthurium genus has at least a thousand species.
This highly diverse genus is the largest of the arum family (Araceae).
19 Anthurium Varieties for Your Home
This article will guide you through the different Anthurium types that are sure to capture anyone’s attention.
1 – Anthurium andraeanum
- Common names: Flamingo Lily, Flamingo Flower, Tailflower, Painter’s Palette
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 16 inches
Anthurium andraeanum plants are probably the most common anthurium type out there.
Oftentimes, their spathes are mistaken for their flowers. These are usually bright red or pink, while the spadix that carries the small flowers comes in white and yellow.
Their blooms last for months at a time, making them a great option for an ornamental plant.
2 – Anthurium amnicola
- Common names: Tulip Anthurium, Tulip Tailflower, Hawaiian Tulip, Tulip Flamingo Flower
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 12 inches
The Anthurium amnicola gets its common names because of the shape of its pink or purple spathe, reminiscent of tulips.
This species is quite small, only growing about a foot tall and spreading out to two feet. The amnicola’s leaves are also tiny, spade-shaped, and dark green.
Because of its size, it takes up very little space, which makes the tulip anthurium the perfect houseplant.
Anthurium amnicola plants are also bred to create more tulip-like varieties such as the White Lady, Lumina, and Lilli.
3 – Anthurium crystallinum
- Common names: Crystal Anthurium, Strap Flower
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 5 feet
The Anthurium crystallinum is well-loved for its heart-shaped leaves that feature white veins that stand out.
The crystallinum grows quite quickly at first, then slows down as it nears maturity.
Its color also changes as it grows older, from pale green to a darker and deeper shade. Some varieties may also have dark purple leaves.
4 – Anthurium forgetii
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 5 feet
This variety of Anthurium is a slow grower, but it’s a great addition to any tabletop or windowsill plant collection.
The forgettii’s leaves are round, kind of shaped like a teardrop. They come in shades of dark green with white veins and are velvety to the touch.
Though it may be easy to find plants being sold as forgetii, this species is often used to create hybrids. It might be a little more challenging to find a pure Anthurium forgetii.
5 – Anthurium clarinervium
- Common names: Velvet Leaf or Velvet Cardboard Anthurium
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 2 feet
Native to Mexico, this Anthurium is a lithophyte, meaning it grows on rocks like limestone. Clarinerviums stay quite short (usually below two feet tall), but they have large and thick leaves.
These leaves are heart-shaped and almost as stiff as cardboard. Like most other Anthuriums, they come with silvery-white veins on pale or dark green leaves.
6 – Anthurium cutucuense
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 2 feet
The Anthurium cutucuense is one of the rarest varieties of this genus. Because of its status as an endangered species, it can be quite difficult and expensive to acquire one.
This plant is native to Ecuador and only found in mountainous areas. It has a unique look, with its long, narrow leaves that can grow up to three feet.
The trisect leaves have a bullate texture to them and usually droop down as they grow longer.
7 – Anthurium hookeri
- Common names: Bird’s Nest or Birdnest Anthurium
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 1.5 feet
This epiphytic plant loves to grow on other plants and even trees. Though it stays quite small, it’s still best to give the hookeri some space to grow, or else it might start clinging onto neighboring plants.
The hookeri has wrinkly, triangular leaves that look like they came straight out of the jungle. This species also has purplish blooms with green spathes.
While there are many hookeri hybrids, you’ll know if you have a pure hookeri plant if it has white berries. On the other hand, its hybrids usually come with red berries.
8 – Anthurium luxurians
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 1.6 feet
The luxurians is another rare type of Anthurium, native to the rainforests of Columbia. Its deep green leaves grow on short stems. It also has blooms with a white spathe and pink or red spadix.
This variety’s leaves are highly textured with deep ridges that reflect the light from different angles. This makes the plant look like a shining gem.
9 – Anthurium metallicum
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 7 feet
This variety of Anthurium has long and broad leaves that resemble a shield. The leaves’ light-colored veins stand out even from the shiny, dark green surface.
The metallicum grows best in humid and cool environments. Without the right conditions, the edges of its leaves may start to turn brown and eventually die.
Although quite expensive, this plant is definitely a stunner and will impress any visitors that come into your home.
10 – Anthurium papillilaminum
- Common name: Butterfly Anthurium
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 3 feet
Originating from Panama, this variety of Anthurium is considered to be one of the most beautiful. It gets its common name because of the plant’s iridescent quality.
It has heart-shaped leaves that come in gray-green or olive-green, sometimes with a tinge of red or violet. These leaves usually grow just over a foot in length.
11 – Anthurium pedatoradiatum
- Common name: Anthurium Fingers
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 4 feet
This variety is commonly called Anthurium Fingers because its leaves grow into several long lobes. When mature, each leaf can have up to 13 “fingers.”
Found in southern Mexico, the pedatoradiatum is classified as terrestrial. This means that it’ll happily grow in well-draining soil and peat mix.
Young pedatoradiatums have heart-shaped leaves that anthuriums are famous for, so potential plant owners may not identify them as Anthurium Fingers straight away.
Now’s the best time to get yourself one of these plants since their popularity and prices haven’t skyrocketed yet!
12 – Anthurium regale
- Common names: Flamingo Flower, Laceleaf
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 8 feet
Considered to be one of the largest species of Anthurium, the regale’s leaves can grow up to more than four feet.
These large, heart-shaped leaves are heavily veined, and they grow from pale green to a dark and velvety shade.
You can keep this variety both indoors and outdoors (if living in a temperate region). Either way, the regale is sure to make a statement with its bold looks!
13 – Anthurium scherzerianum
- Common name: Pigtail Anthurium
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 1.5 feet
The Anthurium scherzerianum looks very similar to the andraeanum. However, one noticeable difference is that its spadix is curled.
Also, unlike the andraeanum, its leaves are longer and more narrow. Its spathe is usually a glossy red, while the spadix comes in orange.
14 – Anthurium veitchii
- Common name: King Anthurium
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 2 feet (but leaves measure up to 6 feet)
This species is regarded as the “King of Anthuriums” because of its large size. The veitchii’s leaves are lance-shaped and glossy, decorated with ridges instead of the typical white veins.
These leaves can grow up to six feet long under ideal conditions. When young, their ridges won’t be as prominent yet, but they will develop as the plant matures.
Veitchii plants love to grow on trees, so when caring for them indoors, you can grow them on an aerated substrate.
15 – Anthurium warocqueanum
- Common name: Queen Anthurium
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 6 feet
What’s a king without his queen? The warocqueanum is dubbed the “Queen of Anthuriums” with its long and lance-shaped leaves.
These leaves usually grow up to four feet but can reach six feet with the right care. As for the veins, they come in silvery white and can glow even brighter as the plant ages.
Like the queen it is, the warocqueanum is quite rare, but it’s still a highly sought-after ornamental plant.
16 – Anthurium vittarifolium
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 7.9 feet
The Anthurium vittarifolium makes a great hanging plant with its long and narrow leaves. It can also produce red or pink flowers as well as pink or violet berries.
Found in tropical rainforests, the vittarifolium grows on other plants and trees for support, like many other species of anthurium.
17 – Anthurium gracile
- Common name: Red Pearls Anthurium
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 3 feet
Instead of its leaves or blooms, the Anthurium gracile is actually known for its red berries that can bring a pop of color to your interior space.
The gracile has glossy, elongated leaves and spathes that come in shades of red to violet.
Although it’s rare, this species is relatively easy to care for because of its adaptability. It’s an epiphyte as well, so it’ll grow best in soil that’s also suitable for orchids.
18 – Anthurium magnificum
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 5 feet
If you’re a fan of the crystallinum’s looks but you want something bigger, the magnificum may be the plant for you. The magnificum’s leaves are dark green and leathery, contrasted by bright white veins.
Younger leaves come in a copper color that shines when they’re hit by the light.
One of the best things about this plant is that it’s hardier and relatively easier to care for than its other anthurium cousins!
19 – Anthurium Ace of Spades
- Life cycle: Perennial
- Maximum height: 3 feet
As the name suggests, this anthurium’s leaves are shaped like a spade and sometimes mature to an almost black color.
Its leaves can grow more than two feet long and almost as wide. Even with its unique appearance, the Ace of Spades is still relatively easy to maintain.
However, due to the high demand on it, it may still be a bit challenging to find one of your own.
What Is the Most Beautiful Type of Anthurium?
With all the varieties of anthurium species out there, it’s difficult to just choose one that’s the most beautiful.
Still, when it comes to flowering plants, you can’t go wrong with the andraeanum or amnicola with their vibrant spathes and blooms.
Anthurium crystallinum and papillilaminum make perfect houseplants because of their small size and stunning foliage.
For those who are looking to make a statement, the King and Queen Anthuriums are designed to impress.
Meanwhile, lovers of unique and rare ornamental plants may lean towards the cutucuense and the Ace of Spades.
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer brightly colored blooms or interesting-looking foliage, you can definitely find anthurium types that suit your taste.
We hope our list of the most beautiful anthurium varieties helped you pick a favorite. You can go for the unique Ace of Spades, anthurium luxurians, Anthurium crystallinum, and many others without having to think twice!
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.