The Anthurium is a plant that is as spectacular as it is easy to care for, which is why it is a regular presence in the homes of all kinds of garden and plant lovers. Its unmistakable flowers, impossible to miss, give life and color to any space, and its simplicity of care means that even the most beginners or busy can take care of an anthurium without problems.
If you want to make yours look as beautiful and healthy as possible, join us in this EcologíaVerde article, in which we show you the anthurium care.
Characteristics of Anthurium
scientific name Anthurium andreanum, to fully understand this plant you have to look at its origin. And it is that, although the Anthurium can be found naturally from Mexico to Argentina, although the species was not discovered and registered until the 19th century in the Colombian jungles.
We thus find ourselves before a tropical plant of great beauty, which usually grows up to 40 or 60 cm when grown indoors, which is necessary outside of tropical climates. Its leaves are large and leathery, very pretty, but these pale in comparison to its precious inflorescence, embellished by a beautiful bract of vivid and bright red that is usually mistaken for petals.
there is actually various species of Anthuriumalthough when it is called that, by its popular name, we will usually be referring to the Anthurium andreanum, one of the most widespread. Another very popular species is the Anthurium scherzerianumbetter known as Flor de Flamenco, which is identified by the large red or orange spathes of its flowers.
Location for the Anthurium
As with any tropical plant, the location will be key in its cultivation. This is especially important if we grow it as an indoor plant in any non-tropical climate, since it will be necessary to reproduce conditions similar to those of its original environment as much as possible.
To begin with, the anthurium needs good light but, also like many other tropical plants, adapted to grow under the forest canopy, does not tolerate direct sun. This is one of the reasons why Anthuriums lose their color. Find a window or a room that is as bright as possible and protect it from direct sunlight to ensure that your anthurium grows strong and gives beautiful flowers.
If you grow it in a low-light area, the plant may survive, but it will most likely not produce flowers, which would be a real shame in this case.
Regarding the temperature, the anthurium needs to be found all year round at a mild and warm temperature, between 20 and 25º Cwithout noticeable oscillations. Therefore, it is best to place it in a heated room in the home, although away from artificial heat sources such as radiators or drafts, which affect it very negatively.
If the temperature drops below 12º C, the plant’s leaves will dry quickly, which could be serious, and if it goes above 28º C, it will be necessary to provide it with environmental humidity so that it can overcome.
Irrigation and humidity for Anthurium
this is maybe the care of the most important Anthurium, or rather the one that needs the most attention. Like almost all tropical plants, the Anthurium does not tolerate excess watering or flooding, but it does need a certain constant level of humidity in its substrate. The best is irrigate with water at room temperature as follows:
- In the cold months: weekly.
- In the warm months: until increased to between every 48 and 72 hours.
These are guideline values and the important thing is to water whenever the substrate in the pot is dry beyond the surface.
Regarding environmental humidity, most of our homes are usually too dry for a tropical plant, especially if we have air conditioning elements such as heating or air conditioning, which dry out the environment.
To remedy this, it is best place a saucer of water under the pot and add some stones or pebbles of sufficient size so that the base of the pot is not in contact with the water. Thus, as the water evaporates naturally it will keep the leaves at a suitable level of humidity.
Substrate and subscriber for Anthurium
The Anthurium not picky about its substrate, so the only important thing is that it has good drainage to avoid waterlogging. If you want to make sure you give it the best, use the universal mix for seedbed mixing coconut fiber, worm humus and peat in equal parts, and add a handful of vermiculite and another of perlite.
Regarding the subscriber, it is recommended to do it in spring and summer to ensure a good flowering. As always, it is advisable not to resort to chemicals and provide organic and ecological fertilizer, such as about 2 cm of earthworm humus at the base of the plant. every 15 or 20 days in the warm months.
Anthurium Pruning
To finish the care Anthurium, it will be necessary more than to carry out a regular maintenance pruning, removing the dried leaves or parts or in poor condition that we can identify. The flowers should be removed from the base once they wither, which will stimulate the appearance of new flowers.
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