How to care for an anthurium

It is one of the most common plants in homes and, without a doubt, there are plenty of reasons for it. It is not only incredibly beautiful and eye-catching. Also, when you know how to care for an anthurium, it is impossible not to surrender to its charms. And it is that this precious species makes it extremely easy for us to display its incredible color. So much so that it is ideal for those starting out in gardening, since it can well be classified as a low-maintenance plant.

Knowing how to take care of an anthurium largely depends on understanding its origins. Although it is available naturally from Argentina to Mexico, the truth is that this species was discovered in the Colombian jungles at the end of the 19th century. A clue, that of its tropical origin, key to understanding some of the care it needs to show off the intense colors of its leaves and bracts.

Because that is another aspect that is often misleading when it comes to anthurium or anthurium. Its characteristic red bracts are not, contrary to popular belief, flowers. In reality, they are only protective leaves of the true flowering. The positive part? That if we follow exactly how to care for an anthurium, we will enjoy its incredible color throughout the year.

7 ASPECTS TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF AN ANTHURIUM

Although it seems that the anthurium has been with us all its life, it really is a newcomer. We say this because it has only been grown for a couple of decades as part of the list of houseplants. A time that has been enough to make it a real must for lovers of green plants. And, again, it is perfectly logical. Not only does it have abundant and spectacular foliage. In addition, its heart-shaped leaves give it a highly decorative exotic touch for any space.

And yes: in any space. Regardless of the tones that we have chosen for our decoration. Because, although it is little known, it is possible to enjoy the anthurium in more shades besides the classic red. The assortment of colors of the anthurium substantially opens the range from pink to orange, passing through white. Impossible not to find the right one for our color palette!

So let’s see how to care for an anthurium. A plant that, beyond its spectacular nature, hides an open secret that is extremely valuable for our health. Choosing it is also benefiting from its ability to filter the air since it is one of the purifying plants that will clean your home. How to resist her?

1. Light, important for flowering

Since it comes from jungle areas, the anthurium demands good light. What’s more: only if it has good indirect light it will be able to create its characteristic bracts and, therefore, its flowering. It can survive in dimly lit spaces, but it is important to know that we will most likely only enjoy its leaves. His ideal place: near a window.

Be careful with this because we can never confuse it with exposing it to direct sunlight. If you do, your leaves could burn.

2. Temperature, an aspect to monitor in how to care for an anthurium

No matter how acclimatized it may be, we cannot lose sight of the fact that it is a tropical plant. In fact, at our latitude it is grown indoors precisely because of its need for a warm temperature without oscillations.

Ideally, it should be in a space with between 20 and 25 degrees constantly. It is important to know how it reacts, both with cold and with heat. If the temperature drops below 12 degrees, the leaves will dry out and turn yellow. If it rises above 28, we will have to increase the ambient humidity so that it does not suffer.

It is also important to keep it protected from drafts and artificial heat sources, such as radiators.

3. Environmental humidity, crucial for your well-being

Knowing that it is of jungle origin gives us an important clue on how to care for an anthurium. It is a plant that demands good humidity in the environment to keep its leaves healthy. A compelling reason to spray them with non-calcareous water, and always preventing them from getting soaked.

Whether we live in a dry climate or during the winter months, it doesn’t hurt to constantly give it that moisture it needs. How? Creating a humid microclimate at the base of the pot. It will be enough to put water permanently in the lower plate. But yes: always separating, by means of decorative stones or anything else, the base of the pot from the water.

4. Irrigation, regular but controlled

In our list of how to take care of an anthurium, watering is, without a doubt, the task that we will have to watch the most. And it is that, although it is a tropical plant, it does not tolerate excess water in its roots nor does it demand constant moisture in the substrate.

The ideal guideline is one watering a week during the winter. An amount that will increase in the hot months, in which we will water between two and three times a week. How do you know when it’s time to water again? When the substrate is slightly dry.

5. Subscriber, only during spring and summer

An important little help to make our anthurium grow even more during the sunny months. Although it is already a well-developed plant, using a fertilizer will allow it to do so with well-being.

Ideally, use a specific liquid fertilizer for green plants every two weeks during spring and summer.

6. Cleaning of leaves, a detail that takes care of the health of the plant

Another detail to watch over our plant. Keeping your leaves clean of dust will allow that process of plants, photosynthesis, to be carried out correctly.

For this task to be useful, we must clean them with non-calcareous water.

7. Transplanting, the last step in how to care for an anthurium

It is the last of the care to contemplate and the one that, perhaps, will require the least of us. Because the truth is that the anthurium only requires a transplant every two years. And no, we can’t let it go. What’s more: if we get confused with this task, it will be the plant itself that will remind us. The symptoms are clear: the new leaves will be much smaller, and the creation of bracts is anecdotal. If that happens, it’s time to renovate the place where it grows.

To transplant an anthurium, we will only have to take two precautions. One is to use a specific substrate for green plants. The other is to provide our plant with good drainage.

And, knowing how to take care of an anthurium, there is only one more thing left: enjoy that incredible beauty that it gives away without asking us for anything.