Full Specimen Plate

Anthurium clavigerum

Five-Fingers Anthurium

Quick Facts

growth HabitClimbing hemiepiphyte
mature SizeLarge (leaves 50cm+ at maturity)
lightMedium to bright indirect light
humidityHigh humidity (65-85%)
temperature18-27°C
difficultyIntermediate
growth SpeedModerate
View Care Guide
Wild£££ · RareLowCentral America and northern South America (Costa Rica to Peru)

Morphology

leaf ShapeDeeply divided, palmate with multiple narrow lobes at maturity; simple/undivided as a juvenile
leaf Length40-70 cm at maturity
leaf Width40-70 cm at maturity
petiole ColorGreen
venationProminent, radiating along each lobe
textureSemi-glossy, leathery
variegationNone
growth HabitClimbing with thick aerial roots

About

Anthurium clavigerum is grown for its dramatic, deeply divided palmate leaves — mature foliage splits into multiple narrow, finger-like lobes radiating from a central point, giving rise to its "Five-Fingers" common name. It is a large hemiepiphytic species that starts life with simple, undivided juvenile leaves before developing its signature divided form as it matures and climbs, making patience a real requirement for anyone buying a young plant.

Native Range

Costa Rica

Market Analysis

Auction History & Retail Data

Historical eBay auction metrics and live retailer listings updated weekly.

No eBay auction history available yet. Data is collected automatically as sales appear on eBay UK.

Before You Buy

Species-specific things to check when evaluating a listing

  • Understand that juvenile plants have simple, undivided leaves — the dramatic mature leaf shape takes years to develop
  • Check for a sturdy, well-rooted climbing stem
  • Inspect for scale insects, common on larger-leaved Anthurium species

Propagation Guide

Growing More Plants

Methods
Stem cutting with nodeAir layering
Difficulty
Moderate
Time to Establish

6-12 months

True From Cuttings
Yes

Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings

Air layer or cut mature climbing stems with at least one node; establishment is slower than compact Anthurium hybrids.

Care Guide

Growing Conditions

Substrate

Chunky, highly aerated aroid mix: 40% orchid bark, 30% perlite, 20% potting compost, 10% charcoal.

Watering

Water when the top few centimetres of substrate are dry.

Humidity

65-85% preferred for the best-divided, largest mature leaves.

Fertilising

Balanced liquid fertiliser at quarter to half strength every 4 weeks in spring and summer.

Repotting

Every 18-24 months, with a sturdy climbing support to encourage mature leaf development.

Common Problems

Problem

Leaves remain simple and undivided

Cause

Plant is still juvenile

Fix

The signature palmate division only appears at maturity, which can take several years — be patient and provide a strong climbing support

Problem

Slow growth

Cause

Insufficient light or humidity

Fix

Increase both bright indirect light and ambient humidity to encourage active growth

Field Notes · Vol. 11 August 2024

The Long Wait for Five Fingers

Clavigerum is a genuine exercise in delayed gratification — a young plant looks like an unremarkable simple-leaved Anthurium for years before the dramatic, divided mature foliage finally appears. Worth the wait for anyone who wants a genuinely architectural specimen, but not a plant for the impatient.

Written at AroidAtlas research station— Aroid Aaron
Retail Price?The average price across tracked UK retailers (nurseries and specialty stores).
Not tracked
Not currently stocked by tracked UK retailers
Market Trend?Calculated by comparing average auction sales from the past 30 days against the preceding 60 days.
Not enough history to calculate a trend

How prices are calculated: The AA Price uses online sold listings converted to GBP at current exchange rates, excluding extreme outliers to ensure a fair-value guide. Falls back to UK retail average when auction data is unavailable.