Anthurium ravenii
Anthurium ravenii Care Guide
Featured photoanthurium-ravenii.jpgAnthurium ravenii is a Mexican strap-leaf anthurium characterised by narrow, elongated leaves that can reach 60 cm in length with a strongly upright habit. The leaf surface is a deep glossy green, and the contrasting venation creates an attractive pattern along each blade. It belongs to a group of bird's-nest anthuriums that grow as epiphytes or terrestrials in humid Mexican forests and tolerate slightly lower humidity than velvet-leaf species.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Water when the top 3 to 4 cm of substrate has dried.
- Humidity
- 50–75 %
- Temperature
- 16–28 °C
- Soil
- Well-draining aroid or epiphytic mix with bark and perlite.
- Origin
- Humid forests and cloud forests of southern Mexico and Guatemala.
- Mature size
- 50 to 80 cm tall; leaves 40 to 60 cm long.
Overview
Anthurium ravenii was described by Thomas Croat and Guodong Zhu. It belongs to the section Pachyneurium, which includes the bird's-nest anthuriums known for their rosette of strap-like or spatula-shaped leaves. This section includes some of the more tolerant anthuriums for indoor cultivation, as they evolved in a wider range of humidity conditions than the cloud-forest velvet species.
Care Priorities
- Bright, indirect light encourages upright, healthy growth.
- Tolerates average household humidity of 50 percent, making it more forgiving than many anthuriums.
- Use a well-draining epiphytic substrate to replicate its natural tree or rock crevice habitat.
- Feed regularly during spring and summer to maintain the dark leaf colour.
Common Problems
Yellowing of outer leaves is typically a natural shedding process or a mild nutrient deficiency — a dose of balanced fertiliser usually resolves the latter. Brown leaf tips point to low humidity or salt accumulation; flush the medium with water and consider a humidifier. Scale insects can colonise the undersides of the thick leaves; scrape them off manually and treat with neem oil.
Sources & further reading (2)
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-05-08
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-08
Frequently asked questions
Is A. ravenii easy for beginners?
Yes — its tolerance for average household humidity and moderate light makes it one of the more accessible bird's-nest anthuriums.
How wide does the rosette spread?
A mature plant in a 20 to 25 cm pot can spread 60 to 80 cm in rosette diameter, making it a striking statement plant.
Does it flower?
Yes, producing classic anthurium inflorescences with a pale green spathe and slender spadix. The flowers are ornamentally minor compared to the foliage.
