Introduction

Congratulations on gathering your wish list of plants! Now, let’s explore how to help them thrive and reach their full potential. This post will touch on the key areas essential for plant care, and I’ll create more detailed posts on these topics in the future.

Often, I receive compliments from my customers and followers about the health and beauty of my plants. However, not all of them are “Insta-perfect”! I’m constantly fine-tuning my plant care habits and approaches as I navigate this plant care journey, and I still face challenges now and then. It’s crucial to view plants as living beings that occasionally struggle, just like us.

Even professional growers sometimes mismanage their plants due to the sheer number of plants they care for. Occasionally, we as non-professionals may not even know why certain plants struggle because there are so,so many possible causes.

If you suspect your plant isn’t getting what it needs, analyzing its behavior can help you understand and resolve any issues before they escalate. Also try to change just one thing at a time when you adjust your plant care. This way it will be easier to identify what may have caused certain reactions.

Here are the main topics I will cover to empower you in your plant care journey:

• Understanding your plants’ natural environment when recreating it indoors (light, temperature, humidity, airflow)
• Learning their watering and nutrient requirements, which depend on your specific growing conditions
• Choosing a suitable potting mix that aligns with your plant’s needs, your environment, and your watering habits
• Preventing pests and maintaining plant health

Environment

Creating an optimal indoor environment is key for Anthurium to thrive. Most species in this genus are native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, particularly Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. These lush areas have warm, stable climates and high humidity.

Humidity: Anthuriums thrive at humidity levels of 60-80%. Maintaining consistent humidity is critical, as they cannot tolerate dry conditions. Low humidity can lead to dry leaf tips, which indicate dehydration. I aim for 75-80% humidity in my grow tents. If using a humidifier, ensure it’s positioned away from the plants to prevent leaf damage from excessive mist. Enhancing airflow can help distribute humidity evenly. Some species, like splendidum, require even higher humidity levels of 90-100%.

Temperature: Anthuriums prefer temperatures between 18-27°C. While they can tolerate warmer conditions, temperatures below 18°C may stunt growth. Avoid letting temperatures drop below 16°C; and temperatures below 10°C will seriously harm or even kill the plant. Adjust airflow and humidity during heat waves, and lower nighttime temperatures slightly to mimic natural conditions.

Airflow: Good airflow helps prevent air stagnation and supports consistent humidity levels. It also aids in guttation (the release of excess water through leaves), which can help to avoid causing fungal and bacterial issues. In my practice, I keep fans running at night on a higher speed and at a lower speed during the day to maintain airflow and temperature stability.

Light: Anthuriums naturally grow in bright, indirect light within the forest understory, shielded from direct sunlight. Aim for 12-16 hours of light daily. In my larger grow tent, I use grow lights for 14 hours, while seedlings in smaller tents get 12 hours of light. I use full-spectrum LED lights, which support both growth and blooming phases. I asjust the intensity of light based on plant needs. More on this topic read here.

Watering, Nutrients, and Growing Media

Watering: A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for watering. Watering frequency will depend on your environment and the potting media used. I typically water my plants when about ⅓ of the pot is dry, which averages to once a week. Maintaining consistent watering is crucial to avoid causing shock and other problems to your plants.

Nutrients: This topic deserves a dedicated post, but generally, Anthuriums are relatively heavy feeders. While seedlings may thrive on slow release fertilizer like worm castings, larger plants need more nutrients.

Main 3 key macronutrients are:

• Nitrogen (N): Supports leafy growth
• Phosphorus (P): Promotes root and flower development
• Potassium (K): Aids overall plant functions

Secondary elements like Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur are also important, alongside trace micronutrients. Insufficient nutrients can impede growth and cause deficiencies.

Potting Mix: There’s no single correct potting mix for Anthurium; it should match your growing conditions and watering habits. My soilless mix includes coconut husk, pine or orchiata bark, tree fern fiber, worm castings, perlite, and activated carbon. Seedling mixes should be finer in structure to retain moisture for younger plants, while a more chunky mix will suit mature plants with thicker roots.

Ensure your mix allows for oxygen to access the roots by using a combination of chunky components and clear aroid pots with slits/holes in the pot. Clear pots are also useful to monitor moisture and root health.

Pest Prevention

Here are some effective tips for keeping your plants clean and pest-free:

1. Maintain Cleanliness: Regularly remove old or dead leaves and avoid leaving debris around your plants. Keeping the foliage clean is essential—use natural castile soap or unscented wet baby wipes for quick clean-ups.
2. Regular Inspections: Keep a close eye on your plants by inspecting both the tops and undersides of the leaves. Common pests, like thrips and spider mites, can often be caught early if you stay vigilant. Addressing any signs of infestation promptly will save you time and effort in the long run.
3. Introduce Beneficial Insects: Consider releasing beneficial insects that target harmful pests. If you’re using foliar sprays, ensure they are compatible with the beneficial mites you're introducing.
4. Boost Plant Vitality: Use foliar sprays to enhance your plants’ resistance against pests. Some sprays not only boost vitality but also create an invisible protective layer on the foliage. My favorites include Leaf Clean by Innogreen and Plant Vitality Plus by BAC. Remember, weak or neglected plants are more susceptible to pests!

Common Issues

While this topic is broad and deserves its own post, here are some common issues Anthuriums may face:

• Brown or Dry Edges and Leaf Tips: This often indicates low humidity or underwatering. Additionally, excessive direct airflow can dry out leaves.
• Yellowing Leaves: Typically a sign of overwatering, but it can stem from various causes.
• Melting Leaves: This usually occurs when a plant is positioned too close to a humidifier, causing mist to damage emerging leaves.
• Foliage Discoloration: Discoloration often suggests a nutrient deficiency or nutrient lockout. Your plant may lack one or several essential nutrients based on the specific discoloration patterns.
• Bacterial Blight: This infection spreads through water splashes, entering the plant through small wounds or natural leaf openings. Cool, damp conditions are ideal for bacterial growth.
• Fungal Infections: Often caused by inadequate airflow and excessive humidity, fungal issues can proliferate in overly wet conditions.
• Root Rot: This commonly results from overwatering or using dense, poorly draining media.

I hope this basic information helps guide your plant care. Stay tuned for more detailed posts on these topics!