Anthurium Kunthii
Anthurium kunthii Poepp.

A genuinely distinctive species that occupies its own visual category in the anthurium world — neither a velvet-leaf nor a bird's nest nor a strap-leaf, but a digitate climber producing palmately compound-looking leaves with multiple elongated, finger-like leaflets radiating from a central point in a pattern that draws immediate comparisons to A. polyschistum and A. clavigerum. Native across a remarkable range from Central America through Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, and Bolivia, it grows as an epiphytic climbing subshrub in wet tropical forest with notably long internodes that give the plant an open, scrambling character as it ascends. The leaflets are broad, oval, and glossy with prominent parallel venation, carried on long petioles that spread the digitate leaf structure wide — the overall effect is architectural and palm-like, immediately recognizable as something entirely different from the heart-shaped or strap-leafed anthuriums that dominate most collections. An underappreciated species that rewards growers looking for structural interest beyond the velvet-leaf collector mainstream.

Provide bright indirect light to dappled shade — this species tolerates somewhat lower light than many anthuriums given its forest floor and understory origins, though brighter conditions support faster growth and more vigorous leaf development. As a climbing epiphyte with long internodes, it benefits from a vertical support to encourage its natural scrambling habit and larger leaf expression over time. Keep the medium consistently moist but never waterlogged, watering when the top 1-2" approaches dryness; provide a chunky, well-draining aroid mix of orchid bark, perlite, and coco coir with good aeration. High humidity of 60-80% supports the best foliage health. Maintain warm temperatures between 65-80°F away from cold drafts. Toxic to humans and pets if ingested.