The hummingbird plant, also known as the hummingbird vine or Anthurium scherzerianum, is a real tropical plant that is native to the rainforests of Central and South America. It is a popular houseplant and garden plant due to its unique flowers that resemble hummingbirds in flight. But is the hummingbird plant just a myth or exaggerated story, or does this amazing plant actually exist? Let’s take a closer look at the facts.
What is the Hummingbird Plant?
The hummingbird plant is a flowering vine or epiphytic plant that belongs to the Araceae family, which includes philodendrons, pothos, and other tropical foliage plants. It has large, heart-shaped leaves up to 20 inches long on climbing stems. The most distinctive feature of the hummingbird plant are its unusual flowers which have a long, thin curved “beak” or spathe that protrudes 4-10 inches from a colorful modified leaf or bract. The beak and bract together resemble a hummingbird with its long bill and widespread tail drinking nectar from a flower. The bracts come in a range of colors including vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, greens, and purples, which attract hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Origins and Natural Habitat
The hummingbird plant is native to tropical rainforests and cloud forests in regions of Central America and northern South America, including Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Brazil. Here it grows as a climbing epiphyte, using aerial roots to attach itself to trees and rock faces in shaded, humid environments in the understory or canopy layer of the rainforest. Though not a true parasitic plant, many sources refer to this species as a “hemiparasitic” epiphyte since its roots can attach to and take some nutrients from the host tree.
Cultivation
The stunning and unique flowers of the hummingbird plant have made it a very desirable house and greenhouse plant. With proper care, the hummingbird plant can be grown as a potted or hanging basket plant indoors, or outdoors in subtropical climates. Here are some key cultivation requirements:
- Light – Bright, filtered light. No direct sun.
- Temperature – 65-80°F during the day, above 60°F at night.
- Humidity – High humidity, between 50-80%.
- Soil – Rich, well-draining potting mix. Provide aerial roots with a support.
- Water – Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
- Fertilizer – Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks in the growing season.
Outdoors, provide a shaded location protected from frost. Indoors, use a humidifier and grouping with other tropicals to help increase humidity. Proper humidity is key to preventing leaf browning and flowering.
Description of the Flowers and Leaves
The most distinctive features of the hummingbird plant are its flowers and foliage:
Flowers
- Inflorescences emerge from the base of the plant on long, drooping stems up to 3 feet long.
- Flower structure consists of a colorful modified leaf or bract in the shape of a bird’s tail and a protruding thin floral spike that resembles a long hummingbird’s beak.
- Bracts come in a wide range of colors including red, pink, orange, yellow, chartreuse, purple, and green.
- The tail-like bract is 3-5 inches long. The beak-like spike protrudes 4-10 inches from the bract.
- Flowers bloom in succession over several weeks with new flower spikes emerging as old ones fade.
- Flowers are designed to attract hummingbird pollinators, hence the name.
Leaves
- Alternate, simple, heart-shaped or ovate leaves with a smooth surface.
- Leaves can grow up to 20 inches long and 10 inches wide on mature plants.
- Leaves are typically medium to dark green with conspicuous white or light green veining.
- Aerial roots emerge from nodes along the climbing stems to attach to trees and structures.
Myths and Exaggerations
The fantastical appearance of the hummingbird plant flowers has led some to believe they can’t be real or must be exaggerated. However, this unique tropical plant has simply evolved highly specialized features to attract its pollinators. Here are some common myths about the hummingbird vine:
Myth – The flowers are fake or artificially altered
False – While the flowers appear too unusual to be real, they are absolutely natural and not artificially fabricated or altered in any way. The plant has simply evolved this highly specialized flower shape to attract pollinators.
Myth – The “beak” is glued or wire attached
False – The beak-shaped spike is not glued or wire attached but is in fact a very real and naturally occurring part of the flower. It is a specialized sterile floral spike called a spathe.
Myth – The colors are unnaturally vibrant
False – The hummingbird plant naturally produces vividly colored bracts in shades of red, orange, purple, green and more. Their brightness attracts pollinators.
Myth – The flower only exists in drawings, not real life
False – Both cultivated and wild specimens of this plant with the distinct hummingbird flowers can be readily observed and photographed. It is not just an imaginary or illustrated plant.
Myth – Photos have been photoshopped
False – While some online images may be altered, there are many examples of authentic photography documenting this unique plant and its unlikely flowers in cultivation and habitat.
In summary, while the hummingbird plant has fantastical and exaggerated features, it is absolutely a real tropical plant species with natural origins and no human alterations involved.
Botanical Classification and Relatives
Botanically, the hummingbird plant belongs to the following classification:
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Liliopsida
- Order: Alismatales
- Family: Araceae
- Genus: Anthurium
- Species: Anthurium scherzerianum
The Araceae family of plants includes many common houseplants such as:
- Philodendron
- Pothos
- Peace lily
- Calla lily
- Anthurium
- Arrowhead plant
- Chinese evergreen
Within the Anthurium genus, A. scherzerianum is most closely related to other vining or climbing Anthurium species, including:
- Anthurium scandens
- Anthurium flexile
- Anthurium clavigerum
- Anthurium ovalifolium
However, its unusual coiling, beak-shaped spathe makes it stand out from all other Anthuriums and gives it its distinctive common names.
Uses
The hummingbird plant has the following uses:
Ornamental Plant
This species is cultivated as a highly desirable ornamental houseplant and tropical garden plant due to its showy, exotic looking flowers. It makes an excellent potted or hanging basket plant.
Cut Flowers
The long-lasting inflorescences make beautiful, unique cut flowers for floral arrangements and bouquets.
Medicinal
Various parts of the plant have been used in herbal medicine, but claims of medical efficacy require further research.
Ecological Role
Wild hummingbird plants help support biodiversity by providing food for hummingbird and insect pollinators.
Caring for the Hummingbird Plant
Caring for a hummingbird plant requires paying careful attention to the following needs:
Light
The hummingbird plant thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, which can burn its foliage. Indoors, provide at least 4-6 hours of bright, filtered light daily.
Temperature
Hummingbird plants prefer warm temperatures between 65-80°F during the day and no lower than 60°F at night. Keep away from cold drafts.
Humidity
High humidity levels between 50-80% are ideal. Increase humidity by misting the plant daily or using a humidifier.
Soil
Use a well-draining potting mix made for tropical plants. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings.
Water
Water thoroughly when the top of the soil becomes slightly dry, taking care not to overwater. Poor drainage can cause root rot.
Fertilizer
Feed monthly during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.
Support
Provide aerial roots with a moss stick or other climbing support to attach to.
Pruning
Remove dead leaves and spent flower spikes to encourage new growth.
Propagation
Hummingbird plants can be propagated by:
Stem Cuttings
Take 6 inch stem cuttings in spring or summer. Remove lower leaves and place in water or moist potting mix. Keep warm and humid until new roots form.
Division
Divide rootball at the end of the growing season. Gently tease apart shoots with roots attached and repot.
Seeds
Collect seeds when seed pods open. Sow in moist starting mix. Expect slow, erratic germination over several months.
Common Pests and Problems
Potential issues to watch for include:
- Mealybugs – Treat with insecticidal soap spray.
- Aphids – Wipe off with damp cloth or use neem oil.
- Thrips – Apply systemic insecticide.
- Root rot – Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
- Leaf spots – Improve air circulation and avoid wetting foliage.
- Sunburn – Provide shade from direct sunlight.
Conclusion
The exotic flowers of the hummingbird plant may appear too unusual to exist in nature, but this amazing tropical species is absolutely real. Inhabiting South American rainforests, the plant has evolved highly specialized features like its beak-shaped flower spike and vivid, tail-like bracts to attract its preferred pollinators – hummingbirds. With proper care as a houseplant, anyone can enjoy the magic and mystery of the real hummingbird plant in their own home.
