Anthurium subsignatum

DESCRIPTION
🌿 The Velvet Cardboard Anthurium, scientifically known as Anthurium subsignatum, belongs to the Araceae family and originates from the humid rainforests of Ecuador and Colombia. This intermediate-level plant captures attention with its striking foliage rather than showy flowers, making it a favourite among collectors who appreciate subtle elegance. In its natural habitat, it grows as an epiphyte or terrestrial plant on the forest floor, climbing tree trunks in search of filtered light. The leaves have an unusual cardboard-like texture that feels stiff and slightly papery to the touch, which is where its common name comes from. Here's a fun fact: unlike most anthuriums grown for their bright spathes, this species is all about the leaves, with flowers that are small and understated, putting the focus entirely on that unique foliage texture.
FOLIAGE AND GROWTH HABIT
This plant grows in an upright to slightly climbing habit, producing narrow, elongated leaves that can reach up to 30 centimetres in length. The leaves are deep green with a matte, velvety finish that contrasts beautifully with the prominent pale green to cream-coloured veins running through them. The texture is what sets this anthurium apart—thick, rigid, and almost like touching a piece of fine cardboard or suede. New leaves emerge tightly rolled and gradually unfurl to reveal that distinctive venation pattern. The overall appearance is architectural and sculptural, giving any space a modern, tropical feel without being overly flashy.
FLOWER DETAILS
The flowers of Anthurium subsignatum are small and not the main attraction, consisting of a slender green spadix with a narrow, pale green spathe that doesn't open wide like those of flamingo anthuriums. There's no noticeable fragrance, and the blooms tend to blend into the foliage rather than standing out. The aesthetic appeal here is understated and secondary to the leaves. Flowering happens occasionally throughout the year if the plant is mature and conditions are right, but it's not frequent or predictable. To encourage flowering, maintain consistent humidity above 60 percent, provide bright indirect light, and avoid temperature fluctuations. Most growers don't focus on the flowers with this species—it's the foliage that earns its place in collections.
CARE INSTRUCTIONS
🌞 Light: Bright indirect light is ideal, similar to filtered sunlight through a canopy. Provide 6 to 8 hours daily. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.
💧 Water: Water when the top 3 to 5 centimetres of soil feels dry. In spring and summer, this might be once a week; in fall and winter, every 10 to 14 days. Bottom watering or slow top watering works well to avoid waterlogged roots.
🌡️ Humidity: Prefers 60 to 80 percent humidity. Will tolerate 50 percent but growth slows and leaf edges may brown.
🪴 Soil: Loose, chunky mix with excellent drainage. Combine orchid bark, perlite, peat moss, and charcoal for aeration and moisture retention without compaction.
🏺 Potting: Use a pot with drainage holes, preferably terracotta or plastic. Size should allow 2 to 3 centimetres of space around the root ball. Repot every 18 to 24 months or when roots emerge from drainage holes.
🌱 Growth rate: Moderate to slow. Expect 2 to 4 new leaves over 6 months under good conditions. In one year, the plant may grow 10 to 15 centimetres taller. Mature size reaches 40 to 60 centimetres in height indoors.
👩‍🌾 Fertilizing: Feed every 4 to 6 weeks during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Reduce to every 8 weeks in fall and winter.
🐾 Pet friendly: No. Toxic to cats and dogs. Contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral irritation, drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing if ingested.
WHERE TO PUT IT
Anthurium subsignatum thrives in bathrooms with windows, where natural humidity levels support its tropical origins. It also does well in living rooms or bedrooms near east or north-facing windows with sheer curtains to diffuse light. Office spaces with stable temperatures and fluorescent or LED grow lights can work if you supplement humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, near heating vents, air conditioners, or drafty doorways, as temperature swings and dry air stress the plant and lead to crispy leaf edges. Keep it away from kitchens where grease and cooking fumes can coat the leaves.