Anthurium Magnificum vs. Crystallinum: Is There a Difference?

Anthurium is a genus of over 1,000 species of flowering plants. Botanists believe they originated in Columbia, Peru, and South America. Anthurium magnificum and anthurium crystallinum are very hard to tell apart. With growers and sellers often mislabeling tropical plants, it can be challenging to tell which plant you purchase from garden centers and nurseries. Many houseplant enthusiasts will tell you they have purchased several young anthuriums only to find out they were all identical clones of each other due to mislabeling. This guide will help you distinguish between A. magnificum and A. crystallinum.

Magnificum and crystallinum have similarly spade-shaped leaves that are a dark green color with deep white veining. They grow in humid, warm conditions and love bright, indirect light. But there are several differences. Magnificum is terrestrial, and crystallinum is epiphytic. They also grow new leaves that are a different color, have different sized leaves, different shaped petioles, and a different scent. We will discuss all of this in detail below.

Comparing Anthurium Magnificum vs. Anthurium Crystallinum

Anthurium Magnificum vs. Crystallinum: Key Differences

As we can see, there are several differences between these two anthuriums. The main difference is that anthurium magnificum has quadrangular winged petioles, and anthurium crystallinum has smooth circular petioles. Other differences are the leaf size and scent. We also see that they have different colored new growth and grow to different sizes. We will break down these differences in more detail below. 

Anthurium Magnificum vs. Crystallinum: Description

Anthurium magnificum has golden-colored or light green new growth that turns dark or medium green with age. Each leaf is between six and ten inches long and has deep white veins and prominent basal lobes. The leaves have a velvety texture. Magnificum grows between two and five feet tall.

Anthurium crystallinum has red-colored new growth that turns dark green with age. Each leaf is between ten and sixteen inches long. The leaves have deep white veins and a velvety or leathery texture. Crystallinum grows three feet tall outdoors and 18 inches tall indoors.

Anthurium Magnificum vs. Crystallinum: Petiole Shape

One of the significant differences between magnificum and crystallinum is in the petiole shape. Magnificum has a distinctly winged petiole that is squared. This petiole contrasts the smooth and circular petiole of crystallinum. Petiole shape seems like a minor difference, but when purchasing a plant, magnificum must have quadrangular winged petioles to match your identification.

Anthurium Magnificum vs. Crystallinum: Scent

Another way to tell our two anthuriums apart is by their scent. Magnificum smells like menthol up close. Crystallinum smells sweet, like ripe fruit. Neither plant has a strong odor; you must put your nose inside the plant to notice the smell.

Anthurium Magnificum vs. Crystallinum: Where They Grow

Magnificum is a terrestrial plant; it grows in the ground, pulling nutrients and water from the soil in the usual fashion. Terrestrial plants are commonly called land plants because they grow on land and receive nutrition and moisture from the land.

Crystallinum is epiphytic, attaches itself to another plant, and pulls its nutrients and water from the surrounding environment. Epiphytic plants are commonly called air plants because they seemingly get their nutritional needs out of thin air. In fact, an epiphyte derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, or debris collecting around it.

Anthurium Magnificum vs. Crystallinum: Care

If you want to grow an anthurium indoors, they are easy-to-care-for houseplants. They prefer a potting mix with lots of organic material, such as an orchid mix with fir bark. The lowest temperature tolerated is 61°F, so don’t place them up against a cold window in the winter. Anthuriums thrive in jungle conditions, so high humidity and bright indirect light are best. Water your anthurium when 75 percent of the soil is dry. Only fertilize in spring and summer, and err on the side of under-fertilizing, as excess food can burn them.

Up Next:

• Anthurium Crystallinum vs Clarinervium: Is There a Difference?
• 8 Houseplants That Grow in Water
• Toxic Plants For Cats

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Endah Kurnia P/Shutterstock.com