Top 10 Tips for Growing Anthurium Plant (Laceleaf)

Top 10 Tips for Growing Anthurium Plant (Laceleaf)
Top 10 Tips for Growing Anthurium Plant (Laceleaf)

It is difficult to find Anthurium plants as popular in houseplants in contemporary interiors, including offices, restaurants, and cafes. Despite its fashionable status and the fact that any florist will be the first to offer Anthurium as a gift or home decoration, it would be a big mistake to say that it is an easy plant to grow. Anthurium plants can only tolerate minor lapses in care. Otherwise, they certainly won’t bloom as long and as brightly. Growing anthurium requires following some strict rules that are best never broken.


Cleanliness and attention

Anthurium is not the kind of plant you can forget about for a few weeks, nor is it the kind of plant you can abandon without care during the holidays. Not only do they suffer greatly from minor neglect, but they also suffer from neglect. To prevent any problems and start treating them early, you should check the plant weekly, paying special attention to the base of the leaves and petioles to see how the young leaves differ from the typical older leaves of the species.

One of the most important aspects of growing this plant is the need for a regular sanitation program. Dust should not accumulate on the leaves of Anthurium and is best wiped gently with a damp sponge or cloth several times a week. Anthurium can also grow well with special leaf polishes, but only professional ingredients and quality preparations should be used.


Proper lighting

One of the reasons Anthurium is so popular with interior designers is its ability to grow in complete artificial light. However, the quality and intensity of lighting for this plant require special attention, whether or not it is a natural light source.

All species of Anthurium grow best in soft, diffused light. They can be placed away from south-facing windows and on the east- and west-facing windowsills – in summer, they also do well on north-facing windows. Strong shade is unacceptable for even the humblest varieties and plants that are already in bloom.

When placed indoors rather than on a windowsill, it is best to promptly move the bush if there is any leaf chopping or fading signs.


Stability is most important

Anthurium needs a stable location with little to no variation in conditions – constant temperature, mild ventilation, and no drastic changes. They do not like drafts, the influence of air conditioners or batteries, or moving them to the balcony. You should not bring them into the fresh air “in the company” of other indoor crops in summer because their minimum temperature is quite high.

Anthurium is very thermophilic, and even a frost of 64 °F (18°C) – Flamingo flower for 59 °F (15°C) can harm the plant. Anthurium flowers must be protected from excessive cold all year round, especially the hive on the ground. They can only tolerate high temperatures if the air humidity is high, ideally 64-77 °F (18-25 °C).


Constant substrate humidity

Like absolutely most houseplants, the Anthurium flower prefers neither a moist nor a dry substrate. The soil should not be allowed to dry out completely, but overwatering is also dangerous. The more stable the water content of the soil, the better. Only after the top few inches have dried out should the next watering take place. In winter, the soil should dry out a bit more, and water should be limited.

Water quality is also very important. Anthurium flowers do not tolerate salinity and need soft water that is slightly warmer than room temperature.


Anthurium as a Gift or for Home Decoration
Anthurium as a Gift or for Home Decoration

Air humidity plays a not insignificant role

Some Anthurium species (especially Flamingo flower) are less sensitive to dry air than others, but all Anthurium should be considered a crop that needs average values. If the humidity drops below 50%, it is best to immediately add spraying to your daily care or install a damp pebble tray. The higher the temperature, the higher the air humidity should be.


Fertilizer according to the plant’s condition

When fertilizing, it is best not to rely on recommendations and standards but on the plant’s growth. If Anthurium flower is growing new leaves and flowering, it should be given a lot of fertilizer. If there is no vegetation, it is better to stop it.

Fertilizer should be given half every 2-3 weeks for flowering plants or once for Anthurium flower in spring and summer, and every 5-6 weeks if the leaves continue to grow in autumn and winter (to provide light compensation).


Thoughtful overwintering

Anthurium is one of the few houseplants that does not require a strict rest period and often continues to bloom in winter. Temperatures should ideally be lowered, but only to about 64 °F (18 °C). This does not mean that no measures need to be taken during the cold season. Variations in care and slight corrections will help Anthurium flowers to remain highly decorative.

Lighting for Anthurium must always be increased during the stationary phase. The option of moving to a brighter location (from indoors to a window, from a northern to a southern bay window, etc.) and additional supplemental light are appropriate. Approximately 12 hours of sunlight will ensure that there are no problems, including the health of the plants.

Watering during the rest period must be reduced, on average, by half compared to the period when the vegetation is active. And fertilization should be stopped completely.


Prune only the wilted parts

Anthurium should not be disturbed, no unnecessary pruning should be attempted, and even if the bush is deformed, no shaping should be used. Rejuvenation can be achieved only by separation. You should remove only the wilted leaves and inflorescences, leaving them to wither on their own. And it is better not to rush it because it has already waited until it is completely wilted.


Anthurium Flower Prefers Neither a Moist nor a Dry Substrate
Anthurium Flower Prefers Neither a Moist nor a Dry Substrate

Soil and transplanting methods are key

You can’t be careless when transplanting Anthurium, changing pots frequently, and trying to correct any problems by changing the substrate. The plant cannot tolerate bare roots and complete soil changes, and in principle, it is best to turn it over and simply keep the root ball intact. Except, of course, in case of emergency repotting to avoid plant rot.

But it is possible to transplant Anthurium flowers not only in spring but also in summer – if needed (and necessary), to deepen them a bit to thicken and grow lateral branches and compensate for aging defects.

It is unnecessary to disturb Anthurium flowers every year – replacing the top 2 inches (5 cm) of the substrate is sufficient for this plant. And transplanting itself should be done when the roots fully grasp the substrate and are visible in the drainage holes – adult Anthurium on average every 2-3 years.

Anthurium flowers grow better in special substrates – for Anthurium flowers, embroideries, bromeliads or orchids, clean bark, sphagnum, inert soil than in ordinary substrates. They need a coarse texture, resistance to compaction, and a slight acid reaction. There is also a very high drainage layer.

There are very few requirements for the pot itself. Mainly, the diameter should be greater than the depth and have drainage holes.


How to deal with pests and diseases

Any suspicion of pests requires immediate action, and there is a reason why Anthurium is generally considered very hardy. However, if irrigation mistakes are made and the shrub is left in unfavorable conditions, it can easily be lost to anthracnose and rot (especially gray rot). In addition, aphids, spider mites, and scale mites are not uncommon among the pests on Anthurium flowers with dry air.

Suppose any suspicious spots and damage are found on leaves and inflorescences during regular inspections. In that case, it is best to isolate the shrub immediately and start treatment with systemic preparations to correct the disadvantages and change care as soon as possible if growth disorders appear. In the case of Anthurium, it is better to carry out unnecessary preventive treatments than to miss the initial stages of the infestation.

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