Anthurium ‘Circus Peanuts’: A Collector’s Dream with a Curious Name

Few plants in the world of tropical aroids combine scientific intrigue, visual drama, and charming folklore quite like Anthurium ‘Circus Peanuts’. This exceptional hybrid has earned its place among the most coveted specimens in private collections—an example of horticultural artistry that merges bold foliage, vigorous growth, and an unforgettable story.

Anthurium ‘Circus Peanuts’ is a hybrid between Anthurium dressleri and A. versicolor (sometimes cited as A. leucostachyum × versicolor), first created by breeder Mike Bush in the early 1980s. The plant’s peculiar nickname traces back to noted botanist Dr. Tom Croat, who remarked that its bloom emitted a scent reminiscent of the old-fashioned banana-flavored marshmallow candy known as “circus peanuts.” The name stuck—and with it, a legend was born.

Today, some collectors refer to the same hybrid as “Mike’s Goliath,” a nod to its impressive leaf size and the breeder’s original stock.

Mature Circus Peanuts plants are visually striking. New leaves emerge in warm copper or bronze tones before deepening to a rich, velvety green. The foliage is typically cordate to sagittate, exhibiting prominent venation and a glossy or lightly textured surface depending on light intensity.

Under proper care, leaves can exceed two feet in length, making this hybrid one of the larger and more sculptural members of its lineage. Though the inflorescence itself is modest, it contributes to the plant’s character through its faintly sweet, candy-like aroma—an olfactory reminder of the hybrid’s whimsical name.

This hybrid displays hybrid vigor, adapting well to cultivated environments while retaining the refined traits of its rainforest ancestry. For optimal health:

• Light: Bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch tender foliage.

• Humidity: Maintain 60–80 %. A grow tent or humidifier is ideal in drier regions.

• Temperature: Prefers 70–85 °F; avoid temperatures below 60 °F.

• Substrate: Use a coarse, well-aerated mix—bark, perlite, charcoal, and sphagnum moss—to prevent root rot.

• Water: Keep evenly moist but never soggy; allow the upper layer of the substrate to partially dry between waterings.

• Fertilization: Apply a diluted, balanced fertilizer during active growth for steady foliar development.

When cultivated under controlled tropical conditions, Anthurium ‘Circus Peanuts’ responds with rapid growth and remarkable resilience compared to many other collector-grade anthuriums.

As of early 2026, Anthurium ‘Circus Peanuts’ remains a high-value specimen within the rare plant market. Mature, flowering clones have sold for several thousand dollars through reputable collectors and specialty nurseries. Authentic lineage is critical; due to its popularity, mislabeled or visually similar hybrids circulate frequently. My plant was obtained directly from Rory Antolak, the source of most current plants in the U.S.