Get notified every time a new article comes out and
keep up with the latest plant care or plant trend.
It’s hard to believe the world’s longest blooming plant is also one of the easiest plants to take care of, but it’s true. However, even the simplest care routine has room for error, and being aware of common care mistakes is the best way to avoid them and keep your plant healthy.
Here are the six biggest anthurium care mistakes and how to prevent them.
Perhaps the most common mistake people make when caring for anthuriums (or any houseplant for that matter) is overwatering. Your anthurium will do best when the soil has a chance to dry out in between waterings. Too much or too frequent watering can lead to root rot, which could severely affect the long-term health of your plant. For best results, water your anthurium with just six ice cubes or a half cup of water once a week.
On the other end of the spectrum, it’s also important to make sure your anthurium is getting enough water and not completely drying out. If this happens, you may need to soak the rootball for full rehydration and repot. Luckily, if you’re sticking to your once-a-week watering schedule, underwatering shouldn’t be a problem.
While pests tend to be a much more substantial problem for outdoor anthuriums, your indoor plant does face some pest infestation risks. Since anthuriums have such thick leaves, they don’t generally attract chewing pests; rather, they are more likely to be bothered by sucking insects that feed on plant sap.
The best thing you can do is to keep a close eye on your plant so any potential infestations are caught early, but wiping down the leaves with a Pyrethrin-based insecticide or using a horticultural soap or oil spray can help control the problem.
With too much sun, your anthurium can get sunburned. It’s best to keep your plant in a bright room, but avoid placing it in direct sunlight. If you notice your plant may be getting too much sun, move it to a better location immediately.
Since anthuriums are tropical plants, they grow best in rooms with temperatures higher than 55 degrees (though, ideally between 70 and 90 degrees) and with at least 80% humidity. Because of this, many people showcase anthuriums in their bathroom decor. However, if you want to display your anthurium elsewhere in your home and are concerned about low humidity, you can also occasionally run a humidifier to help.
Your anthurium will likely need to be repotted every two to three years. Failing to do this when your plant needs it could stunt the growth and negatively affect the overall health. Keep a close eye on your plant and look for signs it has outgrown its current pot, such as roots growing through the drainage holes or circling the surface of the potting mixture.
With these six anthurium care mistakes in mind, you can avoid the biggest potential health risks to your plant and enjoy its long-lasting beauty for years to come.
For more tips on proper anthurium care, download our free guide here.
