You take care of an anthurium plant by getting four things right: bright indirect light, chunky soil, warm temps, and watering based on soil moisture. Miss any one of these and your plant will show it with yellow leaves or dropped blooms.
I used to water my anthuriums every Sunday like clockwork. It seemed simple enough, but two of them developed mushy stems and brown roots within a couple months. Once I switched to checking the top inch of soil with my finger before watering, the root rot stopped. If you adopt this same anthurium plant care habit, you will save yourself a lot of dead plants.
Your anthurium is an epiphyte, meaning it clings to tree trunks in the wild instead of growing in ground soil. Its roots need airflow between waterings to stay healthy. Wet packed soil suffocates those roots and invites fungal infections. Use a chunky 1:1:1 mix of peat, perlite, and orchid bark so your plant gets moisture without drowning.
Light matters more than you might think for anthurium plant care. UF IFAS research shows your plant needs at least 100 foot candles to bloom indoors. Place yours about 3 to 5 feet from a bright east-facing window. Too much direct sun scorches the leaves, and too little light stops flowering. Keep your room between 70 to 90°F (21 to 32°C) and you will see new spathes all year.
Spring Growth Phase
- Fertilizing: Start feeding with a balanced 3-1-2 NPK fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks as new leaves emerge from the center of your plant.
- Watering: Increase your watering slightly as temperatures rise and the plant exits its winter rest period, but always check soil moisture first.
- Repotting: Spring is the best time to move your anthurium into a pot 1 to 2 inches larger if you see roots circling the bottom or poking through drainage holes.
Summer Active Season
- Watering increase: You will need to water every 5 to 7 days since warm air and longer daylight hours make your soil dry out faster than any other season.
- Humidity boost: Mist your leaves or place a pebble tray underneath to keep humidity between 60% and 80% as recommended by NC State Extension.
- Light check: Move your plant back from south or west windows if you notice brown crispy edges from intense summer sun exposure.
Fall Transition Period
- Reduce feeding: Cut your fertilizer to every 8 to 10 weeks as growth slows down and the plant prepares for its winter rest cycle.
- Watering adjustment: Let your soil dry out a bit more between waterings since cooler air means slower evaporation and less water uptake by the roots.
- Pest watch: Inspect your leaves weekly for spider mites and mealybugs that tend to move indoors when outdoor temperatures start dropping.
Winter Rest Period
- Stop fertilizing: Give your anthurium a break from feeding between December and February so it can rest and build energy reserves.
- Water sparingly: Extend your watering intervals to every 10 to 14 days since your plant uses far less water during shorter cooler days.
- Protect from cold: Keep your plant away from drafty windows and heating vents since temperatures below 55°F (13°C) cause serious damage to tropical roots.
One of my favorite anthurium growing tips is to watch your plant instead of following a rigid calendar. Your home has its own light, humidity, and temperature mix that changes how fast the soil dries. A plant near a sunny window in a dry apartment needs water twice as often as one in a humid bathroom.
Stick with these anthurium growing tips and your plant should reward you with colorful spathes every few months and glossy green leaves year-round. Check your soil before you water, give your plant bright indirect light, keep it warm, and feed it during the growing season. Do those four things and your anthurium will thrive for years.
Read the full article: Anthurium Plant Care and Growing Guide
