Full Specimen Plate
Anthurium superbum
Bird's Nest Anthurium
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Market Analysis
Anthurium superbum Price Guide & Auction Value
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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
- Inspect new growth carefully for thrips — check the undersides of unfurling leaves for tiny dark insects or silvery streaking, as velvet anthuriums are a primary target
- Roots should be firm and pale — mushy or dark roots indicate rot often caused by poor transit conditions
- Avoid plants with more than one yellowing leaf; minor leaf loss in transit is normal but multiple yellows suggest stress before shipping
- Request a photo of the most recently unfurled leaf to judge current health — a crispy or damaged newest leaf is a red flag
Anthurium superbum Morphology
About Anthurium superbum
Anthurium superbum is a compact, self-heading bird's-nest Anthurium native to the humid lowland and montane forests of Costa Rica and Panama. It forms a tight rosette of elongated, leathery leaves arising from a short crown, with a habit reminiscent of a bromeliad. The deep green blades have a distinctly bronzy underside and quilted venation between prominent ribs. Growing either terrestrially on rich organic soil or epiphytically on decaying wood and root masses, it is a bold architectural plant valued by collectors for its structural presence.
Native Range
Costa Rica
Propagation Guide
How to Propagate Anthurium superbum
Root in a closed high-humidity environment. Mature specimens may produce basal offshoots that can be carefully divided. Patience is essential — establishment is slow.
Care Guide
Anthurium superbum Care Guide & Growing Conditions
Very chunky, well-aerated mix: 40% orchid bark, 30% perlite, 20% sphagnum moss, 10% activated charcoal. Anthuriums suffocate in dense soil — roots need airflow.
Water when the substrate is nearly dry throughout. Less is more — overwatering is the primary killer of velvet anthuriums. Always use room-temperature water.
70–85% is essential. Below 60% causes stunted growth and curling leaves. A dedicated humidifier is strongly recommended for UK growers.
Low-nitrogen fertiliser (e.g. 5-10-10 or orchid fertiliser) at quarter strength every 3–4 weeks. High nitrogen produces lush but weak growth susceptible to pests.
Reluctantly — only when completely root-bound (every 2–3 years). These plants dislike disturbance and may sulk after repotting.
Common Problems
Yellowing leaves
Overwatering or root rot
Remove from pot, trim affected roots, repot into fresh dry substrate and reduce watering
Curling or crispy leaf edges
Low humidity or cold draughts
Increase humidity above 70% and move away from cold windows
Thrips
Common on velvet-leaf anthuriums; hard to detect early
Inspect new growth and leaf undersides regularly; treat with neem oil or systemic insecticide at first sign
A Bird's Nest in the Cloud Forest
Anthurium superbum has one of the most distinctive growth habits in the genus — a tight, upright rosette of strap-like leaves that fans outward like a bromeliad. The bronzy undersides catch ambient light, and the quilted surface texture gives the plant an almost woven appearance. Native to cloud forest margins from Costa Rica down to Panama, it tolerates slightly cooler temperatures than many Anthurium, making it more adaptable in temperate collections.
