Anthurium Plant Care: Everything You Need To Know

Flamingo flowers, or Anthurium plants, are distinguished by their vivid red, green, and white hues. There are about 1,000 perennial plants of the genus that are indigenous to the Caribbean, northern South America, and Central America.

Because of their particular care requirements, they are more frequently kept as houseplants or in greenhouses, even though they may be cultivated outdoors in tropical climes. Anthuriums are the ideal indoor flowering plants since they have one of the longest-lasting flowers on the planet, blooming for over 250 days. This means that your indoor garden will be filled with vibrant blooms for most of the year. Anthurium blooms remain on the stem for two to three months before gradually losing all of their color and fading.

The anthurium is a tropical plant that is incredibly resilient and easy to maintain. The anthurium is a creature that enjoys warmth, light, and sunlight. If you live in a cold climate, it will be dormant for five to six weeks during the winter, but as soon as the weather warms up and the sun rises, it will bloom again.

In this guide, we’ll explore how you can grow Anthurium plants and everything you need to take better anthurium plants care.

Anthurium Plant Care

Light

Anthurium plants thrive on a few hours of morning or evening sunlight and enjoy strong indirect light. To avoid burning the leaves, keep it out of the intense afternoon light. The plant will produce more blooms if it is exposed to brighter light for longer periods of time.

Few flowers and poor growth are the results of inadequate light. For better anthurium plant care, it should be placed where it receives six hours of direct sunlight each day.

Water

When the first inch of soil feels completely dry to the touch, water it thoroughly until it runs out of the drainage hole at the bottom. Always drain the bottom plate to prevent overwatering. The Anthurium plant will require more frequent watering as it receives more light and warmth.

An underwatered plant will have drooping leaves with browning leaf tips and shrivelling aerial roots. Anthurium loves a humid environment, so you can mist it every day.

During the dry winter months, try using a humidifier or a pebble tray. Anthuriums are susceptible to root rot, so for better anthurium plant care, water your plant until it runs down the drainage holes in the pot, but don’t let it sit in water.

Soil

Rich soil that drains fast but retains moisture is ideal for anthuriums. For proper air circulation around the roots, the potting medium must be gritty and drain properly. You can use mosses, cocoa coir, or a 50/50 orchid/houseplant potting material mixture. For a coarse, well-draining soil, you may also incorporate peat moss and sand into the orchid mix.

Temperature and Humidity

All species of the anthurium plant are indigenous to the tropics and favor temperatures between 65°F and 85°F as well as high humidity. When temperatures go below 60°F, they will be harmed, and when they reach 40°F, they will become extinct.

To maintain high humidity levels in arid locations or throughout the dry winter months, place it on a pebble tray. During dry months, you might need to keep a humidifier running all the time.

Fertilizing

Every three weeks, fertilize your anthuriums with a common houseplant fertilizer that has been diluted according to the directions on the container. For better anthurium plant care, it is crucial to fertilize during the growing season (except in winter).

Make sure the fertilizers contain the three main nutrients: potassium, phosphorus, and nitrogen.

Pruning

When older leaves and blossoms begin to fade and die back, remove them. Cut them from the main stem with a sterile hand pruner or pinch them off at the base. You can prune your plant at any time of year to give it shape. Cut off any stems that grow at strange angles or that are excessively tall.

Leave three or four leaves on the plant at all times. By cutting out the damaged sections, damaged leaves can be partially removed. It is preferable to hold onto a partial leaf until a new one appears if your plant just has a few leaves. Steer clear of pruning your plant while it is dormant in the winter.

Repotting

Every two years or so, repot your anthurium plant. The plant should be moved to a pot no more than two inches in diameter than the previous one. Terracotta, ceramic, and plastic pots are all excellent options. Remember that porcelain and plastic tend to dry out more slowly than terracotta.

Repotting an anthurium involves filling the new pot approximately one-third of the way with potting mix, placing the plant on the soil, and then lightly packing more soil around the base of the plant until it is as deep as it was in its original pot.

How To Propagate The Anthurium Plant

While stem cuttings and side shoots (pups) are both used to propagate anthuriums, side shoots are the quickest and most secure way. Since it takes four years for plants to reach the flowering stage after starting from seed, amateur gardeners cannot use this method. Here’s how to propagate the anthurium plant via cuttings –

• Look for a well-developed side shoot that is emerging from the main stem. Along with the side sprout, it should ideally have multiple readily detached aerial roots and at least one mature leaf.
• Make a clean, straight cut where the side shoot joins the main stem by removing it with your sterile, sharp tool.
• Select a pot that is deep and wide enough to hold the main stem and roots, then fill it one-third of the way with potting mix.
• Maintaining the junction of any leaves or new leaf buds above soil level, place the side shoot on top, and fill in to hide the aerial roots.
• After giving it a good rinse, put it somewhere warm with indirect light. New growth appears in about four to six weeks.

Common Problems With the Anthurium Plant

Although the anthurium plant has certain requirements, it is simple to maintain if you find a suitable location and establish a routine.

• Anthurium leaves can turn yellow when exposed to excessive amounts of direct sunlight. Too much light is also indicated by bleached and brown tips. The plant should be moved slightly away from the window. Bacterial wilt can also cause leaves to turn yellow.
• The same pests that typically harm most houseplants also damage these plants: scale, mealybugs, spider mites, and whiteflies.3 Over time, aphids produce twisted, mottled leaves. Ants, which consume the sticky residue left by aphids, are another indicator of an aphid infestation.
• Fungal plant diseases can be caused by Rhizoctonia, which grows on lower stems and roots. It is typically brought on by overwatering and results in young, fragile stems becoming floppy and weak.

Conclusion

The anthurium plant can be one of the most unique plants in your indoor plant collection. This easy-to-care tropical plant features beautiful foliage and flowers. And with the right anthurium plant care, you can keep it blooming for many years to come. Therefore, make sure to add this beautiful plant to your list and download the Plantora App to explore more such plants and how you can grow them.