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Anthurium is a beautiful tropical plant with stunning flowers that can add a splash of color and elegance to any indoor space. But is it difficult to grow? On the contrary, anthurium is relatively easy to care for as it thrives both indoors and outdoors if the right care is provided. Not only is anthurium a symbol of hospitality that inspires happiness and abundance but it’s also a natural air purifier that can eliminate toxins in your home.
Its key benefits make anthurium quite an attractive houseplant to grow. If you’d like to see how you can grow anthurium indoors, read on to find out everything on anthurium care as a houseplant.
About Anthuriums
Anthurium (Anthurium) is also known as the “Hawaiian Love Plant” and “Flamingo Plant” because of the unique shape of its flower. It makes a great indoor plant as it thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers temperatures anywhere between 60- and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Anthurium belongs to the Araceae family. The best thing about anthurium is its flowers that bloom throughout the year in all four seasons. There’re many varieties of anthurium and most of them are climbers. The flamingo-shaped radiant red, orange, lavender, pink, or white colored flower-head and the ornamental dark green leaves make them aesthetically unique.
It can be grown outdoors in warm climates but anthurium does well when grown as an indoor houseplant as well. With the right steps, growing anthurium can be quite an enjoyable experience.
What Makes Anthurium a Top Indoor Plant?
Having anthurium indoors is a clever way to improve indoor air quality as they remove harmful toxins such as formaldehyde, ammonia, and xylene from the air. Anthuriums work by absorbing these toxins through their leaves and roots and converting them into harmless byproducts.
Anthuriums also help to increase humidity levels in the room, which can be beneficial for respiratory health. It’s recommended to use multiple plants throughout a room to achieve the best air-purifying results. A general rule of thumb is to have one plant for every 100 square feet of space.
Remember that anthurium can only purify air if the plant itself is healthy and thriving. This means they need to be provided with the right amount of light, water, and nutrients, and their leaves need to be kept clean and free of dust and debris.
Anthurium Care – Key Pre-requisites
Here are some key prerequisites for a healthy anthurium plant.
Indirect Sunlight
Anthuriums don’t enjoy direct sunlight exposure but don’t like shade either. Rather they like bright indirect sunlight except in the winter season. When growing anthurium indoors, place it near a window.
Best Time for Planting
Anthuriums can be grown any time throughout the year which makes it easy.
Soil
Anthuriums prefer coarse potting mix and grow well with a good drainage system. To make the ideal soil, use an orchid mix with added sand and peat moss for anthuriums.
Water
Indoor anthuriums should be watered once a week. Try to keep the pot moist by placing it in rocks or gravel, which gather the drained water from the pot. It will sustain the humidity levels of soil throughout the week. For outdoor anthuriums, water it twice a week especially when the days are hot days.
Temperature
When it comes to temperature, mimicking the tropical kind of temperatures help anthuriums grow best. This demands high humidity with temperatures between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. During dry winter months a humidifier may be needed to keep them moist.
Fertilizer
A phosphorous-rich fertilizer diluted in quarter strength is proved to be the most suitable with weekly fertilizing. This high phosphorous content assists the anthurium plant to bloom flowers.
Varieties of Anthurium
Here is a list of the most popular varieties of anthurium which could be great choices for your indoor plant.
| Anthurium andraeanum | This is the most common type of anthurium and features heart-shaped, bright red flowers with a yellow spike in the center. |
| Anthurium clarinervium | Known for its large, velvety leaves with white veins this variety has become very popular in recent years. |
| Anthurium crystallinum | This type has striking, dark green foliage with silver veins and is prized for its unique and beautiful appearance. |
| Anthurium jenmanii | A rare and highly sought-after type of anthurium with elongated leaves and bright red flowers. |
| Anthurium magnificum | This is another plant with large, velvety leaves and is prized for its stunning appearance. |
| Anthurium scherzerianum | This variety features bright orange-red flowers and is sometimes called the “flamingo flower” due to its resemblance to a flamingo’s beak. |
| Anthurium warocqueanum | This is another rare and highly prized type of anthurium, known for its large, heart-shaped leaves with prominent white veins. |
How to Plant and Care for Anthuriums
Propagating With Seed
Anthurium can be grown from seed, but it may take up to four years for your plant to produce flowers. If you would like to enjoy anthurium flowers sooner, your best option would be to buy a well-planted and well-grown anthurium.
If you would love to grow anthuriums using seeds, the perfect planting medium is moist vermiculite. Follow the given steps to sow and nourish the anthurium seed.
- Take a healthy anthurium seed, and press it lightly, just an inch deep into the vermiculite.
- Put a clear polyethylene bag over the plant. It would help to accelerate the process of seed germination.
- Keep the pot near the window, not exposing it direct to sunlight, but not in the shade either. Place it where it gets indirect bright light.
- Be mindful of the water beads that can accumulate in the polyethylene bag. Tilt the bag open from one side to let the air flow inside, so that the plant can breathe.
- Completely displace the plastic bag once you find new growth.
Propagating Anthurium – Air Root Cutting
You will know that your anthurium is ready to be propagated if it shows fleshy, tuberous air roots above the soil line. Propagating anthurium by air root cutting is a relatively simple process. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Choose a healthy anthurium plant with strong, healthy stems and plenty of leaves.
- Identify a stem that has an air root growing from it. These are typically small roots that grow out of the stem and into the air.
- Use a sharp, clean knife or scissors to make a clean cut just below the air root.
- Prepare a small pot filled with a well-draining potting mix. You can also use a mixture of sphagnum moss and perlite.
- Dip the cut end of the stem into the rooting hormone, which can help stimulate the growth of new roots.
- Place the stem into the pot, burying it just deep enough so that it stands upright.
- Water the potting mix thoroughly, making sure that the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
- Cover the pot with a plastic bag or plastic wrap to create a humid environment that can help encourage root growth.
- Place the pot in a bright, warm location but out of direct sunlight.
- Check the pot regularly to make sure that the soil remains moist and that the cutting is developing roots.
- Once the cutting has developed a good root system, you can transplant it into a larger pot or into your garden.
Propagating Anthurium – Stem Cutting
Anthurium can be propagated through stem cuttings as well. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Choose a healthy anthurium plant with strong, healthy stems and plenty of leaves.
- Use a sharp, clean knife or scissors to make a clean cut just below a node on the stem. A node is where the leaf attaches to the stem.
- Remove any leaves or flowers from the bottom 1/3 to 1/2 of the stem. This will reduce the amount of moisture lost through transpiration and encourage the cutting to focus on growing new roots.
- Dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone, which can help stimulate the growth of new roots.
- Prepare a small pot filled with a well-draining potting mix. You can also use a mixture of sphagnum moss and perlite.
- Make a hole in the potting mix and place the cutting in the hole.
- Water the potting mix thoroughly, making sure that the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
- Cover the pot with a plastic bag or plastic wrap to create a humid environment that can help encourage root growth.
- Place the pot in a bright, warm location out of direct sunlight.
- Check the pot regularly to make sure that the soil remains moist and that the cutting is developing roots.
- Once the cutting has developed a good root system, you can transplant it into a larger pot or into your garden.
Repotting Anthurium
Anthurium needs to be repotted once every two years. The right time to repot is when the pot is filled with roots and there are also signs of air roots. It’s preferable to shift the anthurium into a planter that’s an inch or two larger with an adequate drainage system.
For repotting, put one-third of potting mix into the new pot. Surround it lightly with the soil up to the level where it was in the previous pot. Carefully pack the roots with more potting mix if you notice new air roots popping up and out.
Caring for Anthurium Leaves
Keeping anthurium leaves dust-free is important for maintaining the plant’s overall health and appearance. Dust on the leaves can block the pores and prevent the plant from effectively respiring and photosynthesizing. Here are some tips for keeping anthurium leaves dust-free:
- Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth – use a soft, damp cloth to gently wipe the leaves clean of any dust or debris. Be sure to use clean water and avoid using any chemicals or cleaners that could harm the plant.
- Use a soft brush – a soft brush, such as a makeup brush or a soft-bristled paintbrush, can be used to gently dust off the leaves. This is a good option for plants with delicate or sensitive foliage.
- Rinse the leaves – if the leaves are particularly dirty or dusty, they can be rinsed off with clean, lukewarm water. Be sure to use water that’s not too hot or too cold, as this can damage the plant.
- Keep the area clean – dust can accumulate quickly in indoor spaces, so it’s important to keep the area around the plant clean. Vacuum or dust the surrounding area regularly to minimize the amount of dust that settles on the leaves.
How to Harvest Anthurium Flowers
Anthurium flowers can be harvested for use in floral arrangements or as a cut flower. They’re long-lasting, with some varieties lasting up to two months when properly cared for. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your anthurium cut flowers:
A cut anthurium flower can last for several weeks and is quite . Here are some steps to follow when harvesting anthurium flowers:
- Wait for the flowers to fully mature – anthurium flowers typically bloom for several weeks before they are fully mature and ready to be harvested. Wait until the flowers are fully developed and the spadix (the protruding structure in the center of the flower) has become slightly soft to the touch.
- Cut the stem – using sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears, cut the stem of the flower at a point just above the base of the plant. Be sure to leave at least one or two leaves on the stem to allow the plant to continue to grow.
- Rinse the flower – rinse the flower under cool, running water to remove any dirt or debris. Be careful not to handle the flower too roughly, as it can be delicate.
- Place in water – place the flower in a vase or container of clean, room-temperature water. Avoid using water that is too hot or too cold, as this can damage the flower.
- Change the water – change the water in the vase or container every two to three days to keep the flower fresh and prevent the growth of bacteria.
Pest Infestations and Solutions for Anthurium
Anthurium can be affected by the same pests that affect usual houseplants for instance spider mites, scale insects, fungus gnats, white flies, and mealybugs. Aphids may also be the cause of damaged mottled anthurium leaves. Aphids tend to leave a sticky substance on the leaves which attracts ants. If you see ants on your anthurium plant, it could highly be the result of aphid infestation.
Spider mites leave yellow dots and flicks on the leaves. Ignoring the plant that is infested will halt the new growth and weaken the plant which could eventually result in your plant dying.
Solutions
- Water – pest infestation can be controlled by sharp water showers that would not harm the plant. This will remove the pests and drown them in the water.
- Horticultural Oils – these can be used to remove pests from anthuriums. Horticultural oils are a type of insecticide that work by suffocating and killing pests such as aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs.
When using horticultural oils on anthurium, it’s important to choose a product that’s specifically labeled for use on this plant. Some horticultural oils can be too harsh for anthuriums and can damage their delicate foliage.
To use horticultural oils, mix the product according to the instructions on the label and apply it to the entire plant, making sure to thoroughly coat the foliage and stems. It’s important to avoid applying horticultural oils during periods of high temperatures or when the plant is stressed, as this can cause damage.
As with any type of insecticide, remember to use horticultural oils in moderation and to follow the instructions on the label so to avoid harming the plant or the surrounding environment.
Anthurium Toxicity
Anthurium can be toxic to humans and animals. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation and burning in the mouth, throat, and gastrointestinal tract if ingested. Symptoms may include drooling, vomiting, difficulty swallowing, and oral irritation. In severe cases, anthurium toxicity can lead to swelling of the tongue and throat, making it difficult to breathe.
It’s important to note that anthurium sap can cause skin irritation in some individuals. Wearing gloves would be a good idea when handling the plant to avoid any skin reactions.
If you have anthurium plants in your home, keep them out of reach of children and pets and remember to wash your hands thoroughly after handling the plant. If you suspect that you or your pet has ingested any part of the anthurium plant and are experiencing symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
FAQ’s about Anthurium Care
Water when the top inch of soil is dry, provide bright, indirect light, maintain humidity, fertilize monthly during the growing season.
A bright, well-lit location with indirect sunlight and warm temperatures (around 70-80°F).
Yes, anthuriums are relatively low maintenance plants.
Anthuriums are not considered high maintenance, but they do require specific care and attention to thrive.
Yes, you can cut the flowers off your anthurium when they are fully mature.
Anthuriums can last for several weeks in a vase with proper care.
Provide bright, indirect light, maintain consistent moisture levels, fertilize during the growing season, and remove any dead or yellow leaves as needed.
Keep them in a vase with clean, room-temperature water and change the water every two to three days.
Wrapping Up
Anthuriums are a beautiful and relatively low-maintenance plant that can bring a pop of color and tropical vibes to your indoor spaces. Not only do they add aesthetic appeal, but they also have air-purifying qualities. If you’re looking for a plant that is both visually stunning and beneficial to your health and environment, anthuriums are worth giving a try.
