Anthurium, gives color to your interior

Anthurium is a perennial plant with generous foliage and whose flowering reveals pretty red heart-shaped flowers. Extremely resistant, its longevity is coupled with a very easy maintenance. My Garden Inspiration tells you everything you need to know about Anthurium: how to grow and maintain it? 

You will also find in this article ecological tips to overcome the invasion of fungi and insects. And finally, I will introduce you to the most common varieties and species of Anthurium.

What should I know about this indoor plant?

• Name: Anthurium Andreanum
• Family: Aracées
• Type: Perennial 
• Height: up to 80 cm
• Exposure: sunny to mid-shade away from the wind
• Soil: Well drained and neutral
• Flowering: from November to February

Bring a small side of the tropics inside with anthuriums (anturium)!

Sometimes called pink flamingo flowers, their large glossy leaves, combined with bright burgundy flowers, red, pink or white, form a magnificent spectacle – all without too much care. Put them in a decorative container and place them in a well-lit place, and off you go!

Indeed, this tropical plant, originally found in South America, displays its flamboyant flowers in your home.

Anthurium andreanum, which can be translated as « tongue of fire, » is of the peanut family.

Anturium is known for their striking bright red spathes and ornamental leaves. The flowers are traditionally red, but you can also get them in pink and white.

They are often used in bridal bouquets but, as a potted plant, anthurium symbolizes abundance and happiness at home.

✅ Tip: Place plants in bright light – they can tolerate all levels of indirect light, but those in low light will have fewer flowers and grow slower. It is best to spray the leaves regularly with water to increase moisture.

How do I grow anthurium in a pot?

If it is rather resistant, this plant still requires careful maintenance: needing a lot of light, but not direct contact with the sun, you can place it near the window summer or winter.

Choose a jar at least 200 mm wide and place it in a well-lit area, away from direct sunlight. Fill the pot with a good quality mixture.

Remove the plant from the pot, gently tease the roots and cut off the surrounded or tangled roots.

Place the plant in the pot and fill the pot with potting soil, firming it gently. Water in the well.

Water when soil is dry – insert your index finger into the first joint, if dry, water and if wet, do not water.

Feed every two weeks during the growing season with liquid fertilizer for indoor plants to promote strong root development, abundant flowers and healthy foliage growth.

How to maintain an Andreanum Anthurium?

Remove old, dry leaves from the base of the plant. Anthuriums like moisture, so you can spray them every few days, especially on hot, dry days.

Remove dead flowers to promote new blooms. The flowers can sometimes change colour under the effect of genetics and return to their original shape.

That means you won’t have the color you bought, but hey, it looks like a new plant!

Why do the leaves of the anthurium turn yellow?

Lack of sun or nutrients causes the leaves to turn yellow. Acidophilic plant, avoid giving it limestone water. You can use rainwater at room temperature (about 20°C).

If you spray water on the leaves, be careful not to wet the flowers, they react badly when they are in contact with the water, they can become stained and then they wilt.

Watering

The Andreanum Anthurium is a perennial plant that requires very little maintenance when all the environmental conditions are met for it to develop peacefully. The flower requires a precise and regular water supply. During the spring and summer periods, watering once a week allows it to keep its roots cool. However, when the temperature exceeds 30°C, in this case, it is better to water your plant twice a week. Thus, your Anthurium can be prevented from a possible state of drought. For the rest of the year, a monthly watering is enough for it to be watered gently, while avoiding the water stagnation that could result in a proliferation of fungal pests.

Fertilizers and anthurium

As a general rule, perennial varieties to which Anthurium belongs require a dense and rich nutrient base for generous growth and healthy flowering. For this, I advise you to systematically adopt the use of natural fertilizer. Simply because organic fertilizer is more environmentally friendly, more economical as well and more importantly, these nutrients do not contain any harmful agents for the plant.

Thus, the use of a natural fertilizer is simpler and safer for your plant. Whether in pots or in the garden, your fertilizer should be rich in minerals, such as phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. You find these nutrients in fish or guano bone-based flours. I would advise you to make sure that the products are completely nitrogen-free. In fact, nitrogen, in addition to polluting your environment, weakens the leaves of the plant which thus become more vulnerable to attacks by insects and various phytological diseases.

How to make natural liquid fertilizer?

The liquid form of the fertilizer makes it easier to preserve. To carry out this preparation, you must: 

• 2 liters of water 
• 2 kg compost

Mix the 2 ingredients and leave to marinate for 24 h. Then carefully filter the water. The use of this fertilizer requires a careful measure: either you dilute the liquid fertilizer in your watering water or you spray the fertilizer after having watered your plant abundantly. The principle remains the same whether your anthurium is in a pot or in a garden.

My little tip: filtered compost can be used as mulch!

3 simple natural fertilizers to strengthen your Anthurium

Egg shells, rich in calcium

Egg shells, rich in calcium, are perfect natural and effective fertilizers. Allow the shells to dry for a day in the open air. Then crush them into powder using a mortar or simply with a rolling pin. Then sprinkle the periphery of the flower’s foot in a thin layer and water to penetrate the flour to improve the root absorption.

Cooking water, rich in vitamins

Your cooking water can also be used to water your tropical plant. Thus, your pasta, rice or other cereal broths, the cooking water of your vegetables, will bring all the necessary vitamins to a balanced nutrition of the flower. The result is stronger leaves and brighter flowers.

Banana skin, rich in potassium

The banana skin rich in potassium is fabulous to give vitality to your Anthurium and promotes its growth. To do this, cut the banana peel into small dice, lightly dig the soil and pour in, if the chips. Cover lightly with soil and water abundantly at the foot. Do the same whether your flower is in the garden or in a pot.

Make an anthurium bloom

Why doesn’t Anthurium bloom?

If you notice that your Anthurium has not bloomed for one or two seasons, in this case it is quite possible that its roots are compressed in a pot that has become too small for its development. Indeed, its root system needs a lot of space to expand comfortably. Otherwise, the plant reduces its diet and productivity to the bare minimum, simply by survival instinct!

How to make Anthurium bloom again?

From this premise, for the plant to bloom again, it may become necessary to repot it in a larger container. In this way, it will be able to blossom in all its splendor and offer you all the pleasure of admiring its soft shimmering colors.

Diseases of Anthurium andreanum

Fungal diseases

Mushrooms thrive in a warm, humid environment.

In the case of a fungal invasion, you will sometimes notice leaf falls from your plant and a general slowdown in its growth. You can also see small brown spots that look like cigarette burns. Start by putting space between your plants. In this way, when one of them is invaded by a pest, the distance allows to preserve the other plants.

When treating fungal pests, make sure the soil is well drained and water regularly and moderately. Spray with a mixture of water and white vinegar and carefully remove all contaminated leaves.

Insect pests

Among the diseases of Anthurium, invasive insects such as aphids and scales are the most common.

These insects feed primarily on plant sap. It is then weakened and undernourished. The visible symptoms are yellowing of the leaves, brown spots, or weakening of the stems.

As a natural treatment, apply a solution of water, black soap and vegetable oil in a mist. The aim of the fat is to form a film on the parts concerned and to asphyxiate the eggs of the larvae. But also to prevent insects from settling on the plant become too slippery for their little legs!

Anthurium species and varieties

Anthuriums have this characteristic of flowering throughout the year. The peculiar and typically tropical form of this perennial plant makes it a surprise at every bloom. The difference between species is only characterized by the colour of the flowers. For example, Anthurium Tennessee produces peach-orange flowers that are extremely rare. As for the Lilac of Anthurium, its violet and brilliant color will illuminate your terrace. Let yourself be seduced by the Blue Anthurium with its azure color reminiscent of the oceans of distant islands. Perfect to feel on holiday on your balcony! The Amalia Elegance is subtly white with its discreetly pink veins. Like a delicate little heart that timidly imposes itself in your living room. The most common variety is the Sierra Magic, red, flamboyant and romantic.

Don’t hesitate to take our advice and come and share your garden tips.