Anthurium Plant Care tips and Easy to Grow method

If you are planning to grow an Anthurium plant at home. You need to take care of many things because anthurium plant care is not easy. They are sensitive plants and should not treat like other house plants.

This comprehensive guide will make you able to grow anthurium at home, also you learn the anthurium plant care tips.

Is anthurium plant poisonous to humans and pets?

Anthurium or tail flower is a houseplant. It is not poisonous like you think, the calcium oxylate particles found on its leaves and flower stalk cause irritation if ingested. Many people have this plant in their indoor gardens. Most of the time pets have problems with anthurium rather than humans. Because pets usually taste or lick plants which are part of your interior decoration.

Anthurium and pets like cats and dogs

The plant can irritate cats and dogs, only if they eat the flower or leaves even in small quantities. This is called oral discomfort which results in problems with drooling, swelling of the tongue, etc (minor health problems).

But if pets eat it in a large amount then it could be poisonous for them. Usually, pets do not like to eat it because of its bitter taste.

What if humans come in contact with it?

You can touch it without worrying about anything (wash your hands after touching it or any other plant.) if you did not wash your hands you might invite itching and burning on the skin. The calcium oxylate crystals found on the plant cause redness and irritation on some parts of the body.

What are treatments if anthurium cause problem to humans and pets?

If your pet shows the sign of breathing difficulties take it to their doctor without any delay. On the other hand, humans also required medical attention if feel difficulty in breathing. Otherwise, the doctor will suggest you drink a large amount of water and apply moisturizer on irritated skin.

My anthurium plant leaves turn into yellow color

This is a common problem many factors are responsible for the yellow leaves. Too much frequent water, too little water, soggy soil, etc are the reasons for developing yellow leaves. To know more about this topic, click: Why my anthurium develop yellow leaves?

Why is my anthurium plant dying?

Anthurium is easy to grow plant and does not need any special attention. Normally it stays healthy throughout the year but sometimes it gets affected by many factors which can even kill it. Pay attention to the following anthurium plant care tips to identify the best solutions for your houseplant problems.

Anthurium leaves turn into brown color

Sunburn is caused if your anthurium plant leaves turn a brown color. Remember the plant does not need direct sunlight to grow healthy. It is a rainforest plant so it likes to grow in the shade where it gets bright light but not direct light.

Overwatering is another reason for having yellow and brown leaves. We know anthurium is a rainforest plant but this does not mean you have to water it daily. Rainforest soil, and forest growing conditions are different from our home growing conditions. In the rainforest, it grows with many other types of plants in the same soil, they share the water, and humidity with each other. This makes the balance of everything.

At home, we grow anthurium separately in a pot so before watering you should keep two things in your mind.

Soil: The soil should be fast-draining soil. Heavy soil holds the minerals and fertilizers for a long time sometimes we see the build-up of minerals in the pot. So, it is advised to use lightweight soil which has excellent draining properties.

Watering: Water your plant once you know the soil is dry (not completely dry, just out of moisture). Insert your finger in the soil about two inches deep if you feel there is not enough moisture, add some water (simple and easy step).

Nutrient deficiency: This is another common reason for dying anthurium. Nutrients are essential for all houseplants. In the forest, the plants get all nutrients from the soil and also from the surroundings this is the natural process.

Houseplants are in total control of their owners so you need to give them sufficient fertilizers to make soil fertilize for them. The good news is anthurium only requires a small amount of fertilizer every 60 to 90 days.

(Please dilute (minimum 20%) the fertilizers first before giving them to the plant.)

How to grow anthurium outside?

It is best if you grow it indoors because it does not like excessive light or you can grow it in a container that you can move according to the weather conditions. Anthurium cannot survive in cold weather when the temperature drops below the 60-degree F move it inside. And when it rises above 90 F again do the same.

What is the ideal temperature for anthurium plant care?

The temperature should be between 60F to 90 degrees F and the required humidity or moisture is 70 to 95 %. Indirect bright light is sufficient for healthy growth. Below 55 F and above 90 degrees F temperature is bad for your plant.

What is the best pot for Anthurium care?

As long as your plant is not showing any sign of growing out of the pot it can stay happily in its older pot. Once you see your plant is growing out of the container you need to change it. you should choose a beautiful, decorative pot this will make your houseplant more attractive.

The main feature you need to look into the pots is a darning hole at the bottom for easy drainage and to prevent root damage.

It is your choice; you can use plastic as well as terra cotta pots. With terra cotta pots you need to water the plant more frequently as compared to the plastic pots. Because the water in terra cotta pots evaporate quickly and the soil gets dry more frequently

How do you get anthurium plant to bloom?

Anthuriums are famous for their beautiful flowers and often flower year-round. If your plant looks healthy but it does not bloom than use below anthurium care tips.

All plants need good light, water, fertilizers, and humidity to grow and bloom. Follow the below tips and get your anthurium bloom.

Anthurium plant care steps to bloom fast

1. Light
2. Temperature
3. Fertilizer
4. Watering
5. Humidity
6. Potting Soil

Light: This is the mostly found reason for anthurium houseplant not to bloom on time. Anthurium Houseplant can grow in moderately bright light but it cannot produce a flower in the same lighting conditions. As we have already said it needs bright light to bloom. So, it is best if you place it somewhere else where it can get sufficient bright light. But suppose you do not have such a place in your home than you can use full-spectrum LED grow light to full fill the light requirement. Temperature: Sudden temperature changes also prevent this tropical plant from flowering. Keep the temperature between 20 to 30 degrees C. We have the same temperature range in our homes which is suitable for anthurium to bloom.

If still, it is not showing any sign of flowering then change the location. If the plant is placed near the outdoor or heating vent, AC vent it will not bloom. Because when the air is suddenly blown directly on it this puts the tropical plant in shock state (anthuriums are sensitive to sudden temperature changes). A plant cannot bloom while it is in such type of condition. Our advice is changing its location so that it gets protected from all such conditions and you will surely see flowers in a few days (if it is the right time of blooming).

Fertilizers: Normally you should fertilize your plant once in 60 days. In the situation where it is not flowering, you can play a trick called weekly- weekly fertilization.

Here you should give fertilizers to your plant once every week. Because in rain forests they get a constant supply of minerals and other nutrients from the soil. You are creating the same situation by copying nature’s formula.

Choose the fertilizer made for flowering and dilute it first too weak it up to 30 % in strength.

Watering: Most people believe that as this plant is found in rain forests it needs more water. So, they add plenty of water to the growing medium. But this is not 100% right way of watering the anthuriums.

Do this:

Add sufficient water to the potting mixture, let the excess water drains than test the soil with your finger, water again when the soil gets out of moisture.

Water needs of anthurium also depend upon the climate of your area.

Humidity: Anthuriums like to grow in a high humidity environment. To increase humidity level, put the pot in a tray of pebbles filled with water. When the water evaporates it gives moisture to the pot from all sides. And the air prevents the build-up of fungus and other infections.

Sometimes people put their plants in the bathroom, well it is a good place for high humidity but you need to install a small fan there to prevent fungus and bacteria. Follow our other anthurium plant care tips you will not need to put it into your bathroom.

(bacteria, microbes, and many other infections develop in high humid areas)

Potting Soil: If you are not using the right type of soil for your plant then this houseplant will not bloom. The reason is when the soil does not get drain easily the plant receives excessive water which results in root rot. By adding perlite or peat moss into the soil you can make it well-drained soil for the anthuriums.

How to repot anthurium houseplant?

What to feed the anthurium plant?

Anthurium houseplants are very sensitive so they need some kind of slow-releasing fertilizers. We use bone meal fertilizer it is a rich source of phosphorous but also contains Nitrogen, calcium, potassium in a limited amount.

Bone meal fertilizers release nutrients at a very slow rate which keeps the constant supply of nutrients to the plant. Your plant will never starve for the nutrients anymore.

The life span of anthuriums

They will stay healthy for more than 6 years with good care. If it is propagated by division it will last for a longer time. With little care, you can have a tropical plant with flowers at home year-round.

Benefits of having anthurium at home

It purifies your indoor air. It is proved in many studies that indoor air pollution is 10 times more than the outer pollution. So, you need to do something to make the inside air pure for breathing.

There are many solutions to it like air purifier etc. The scientists of NASA make a list of houseplants that helps in purifying the air naturally throughout the year.

Anthurium is in the top list of NASA’s air purifying houseplants.

We all know the main pollutant in our homes is Formaldehyde and anthurium does not like it in its place. It removes the formaldehyde from the air and makes it suitable to breathe in. our furniture, synthetic paint, paper, floor tiles, etc release formaldehyde in the air. Having few air-purifying plants like anthurium is beneficial for you and your family.

Xylene & Ammonia: It also removes xylene and ammonia from the air. The things make with rubber, paints, etc release xylene and ammonia also released by building material (concrete) overexposure to these harmful gases causes deadly diseases like cancer and respiratory diseases.

Problems with anthurium plant & Solutions

Anthurium plants do not come in contact with diseases but as they are sensitive small size houseplants, face some problems if they do not get the proper care.

1. If you are giving an excess of light to your plant you will see green leaves turning into brown color. Simply reduce the amount of light it will recover on its own.
2. Fungal and bacterial problems can prevent by controlling the watering process. If you are giving an excess of water (every day) your plant will surely get infections like root rot, stem damage, etc.
3. Anthuriums are not easily affected by the pests but they do get damaged by the insects. Insects like aphids, scales, and spider mites often attack them and make holes in leaves. In this type of condition insecticidal soaps are recommended. It is best to monitor the plant every 2 to 4 days and look for insect attack.