Full Specimen Plate

Anthurium polydactylum

Many-Fingered Anthurium

Quick Facts

growth HabitTerrestrial to hemiepiphytic rosette
mature SizeMedium to large (40-70 cm leaf span at maturity)
lightMedium to bright indirect light
humidityHigh humidity (65-85%)
temperature18-27°C
difficultyIntermediate to Advanced
growth SpeedSlow
View Care Guide
Wild£££ · RareLowColombia and Ecuador

Morphology

leaf ShapeFinely divided, many-lobed palmate leaf at maturity; simple as a juvenile
leaf Length35-60 cm at maturity
leaf Width35-60 cm at maturity
petiole ColorGreen
venationProminent, radiating along each narrow lobe
textureSemi-glossy, leathery
variegationNone
growth HabitUpright rosette from a short stem

About

Anthurium polydactylum takes its name from its finely divided, many-fingered mature leaves — an even more intricately dissected relative of Anthurium clavigerum and podophyllum, with slender lobes radiating from a central point. It is a slower, less commonly seen species in cultivation, valued by collectors specifically seeking out the most extreme examples of the palmate-leaved Anthurium group.

Native Range

Colombia

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 this species is slower to mature into its divided leaf form than clavigerum or podophyllum
  • Check root health — firm, white to tan roots
  • Confirm seller identification against verified mature reference photos, since juvenile plants are easy to mislabel

Propagation Guide

Growing More Plants

Methods
Division
Difficulty
Moderate to Difficult
Time to Establish

8-14 months

True From Cuttings
Yes

Cultivar character is preserved through vegetative cuttings

Slow to establish; divide only well-rooted mature clumps with multiple growth points.

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 — this species is sensitive to dry indoor air.

Fertilising

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

Repotting

Every 18-24 months, or when roots fill the pot.

Common Problems

Problem

Leaves remain simple and undivided for a long time

Cause

Plant is still juvenile

Fix

The finely divided mature leaf form takes considerably longer to develop than in other palmate Anthurium species — patience is required

Problem

Slow or stalled growth

Cause

Insufficient humidity or light

Fix

Increase both bright indirect light and ambient humidity

Field Notes · Vol. 11 August 2024

The Most Divided Leaf in the Genus

Polydactylum pushes the palmate-leaf Anthurium theme further than clavigerum or podophyllum — more, narrower lobes, and a slower path to get there. A specialist's pick within an already specialist corner of the genus.

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.