The main disadvantages of anthuriums come down to four things. They are toxic to pets, need high humidity, grow slow, and attract pests. You should know about each issue before you bring your plant home.
The worst anthurium problems start with toxicity. ASPCA says all parts of the plant contain calcium oxalate crystals. These are toxic to your dogs, cats, and horses. If your pet chews a leaf, it causes mouth swelling, drooling, and pain. I moved all my anthuriums to high shelves after my cat batted at the leaves. One close call was enough to change my whole setup.
Humidity needs rank high on the disadvantages of anthuriums list. Your plant wants 60% to 80% humidity to stay healthy. Most homes sit at 30% to 50% in winter when you run the heater. My anthuriums lost their shine and got brown edges during my first cold season. I had to buy a humidifier and run it for months before the leaves looked right.
Pests hit anthuriums hard during dry months. I found spider mites on the undersides of my leaves as tiny webs and yellow dots. Mealybugs, thrips, and scale also target these plants. On top of bugs, bacterial blight and leaf spot can infect your plant if air flow stays poor. NC State Extension rates anthurium growth as slow too. So when pests do damage, your plant takes months to bounce back.
Toxicity Around Pets
- Quick fix: Keep your anthuriums on high shelves or in rooms your pets can't access to cut the risk of them chewing on the leaves.
- If it happens: Rinse your pet's mouth with water and call your vet since the crystals cause painful swelling that may need treatment.
- Safe swap: If you can't keep the plant away from your pets, try a bromeliad instead for similar tropical color without the toxicity.
Humidity Demands
- Humidifier fix: Run a cool-mist humidifier near your plants during dry months to keep the air at 60% or higher around the leaves.
- Free option: Move your anthurium to a bathroom with a window where shower steam gives it all the moisture it needs at no cost.
- Pebble tray: Set your pot on a tray of pebbles and water so the moisture rises up around the leaves throughout the day.
Pest Attacks
- Weekly checks: Look at the undersides of your leaves every week for spider mites, mealybugs, and scale before they spread.
- Neem oil spray: Treat pests with neem oil every 5 to 7 days until you see them gone, and cover both sides of each leaf.
- Air flow boost: Keep air moving near your plant with a fan or open window to stop fungal diseases from taking hold.
Slow Growth Rate
- Set your expectations: Your anthurium puts out only 4 to 6 new leaves per year under good conditions, so don't compare it to fast growers.
- The bright side: Each bloom lasts 4 to 8 weeks, which is far longer than fast-growing plants, so you get more display time per flower.
- Feed well: Use a 3-1-2 NPK fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks in spring and summer to support the best growth rate your plant can manage.
These anthurium downsides are all fixable once you know what to expect. Move the plant up high for pet safety. Get a humidifier or use your bathroom. Check your leaves each week for bugs. Accept the slow pace and enjoy each long-lasting bloom.
All houseplants have tradeoffs. The anthurium downsides are mild next to the rewards you get. You enjoy months of bright blooms that few other indoor plants can match. Go in with your eyes open and you won't be caught off guard.
Read the full article: Anthurium Plant Care and Growing Guide
