Anthurium

Light and exposure

The anthurium wants plenty of light, but never direct sun, which scorches its foliage. An east-facing window, or a spot a few metres from a south-facing bay window, suits it well. In too much shade it survives, but it stops flowering.

During our grey winters, move it closer to the window. From November to February the Belgian light is so weak that an anthurium placed at the back of a room goes into complete standby.

Watering

Water regularly to keep the substrate slightly moist, but never soggy. Let the top centimetre dry out before watering again, then always empty the saucer. Roots left sitting in water rot quickly.

In winter, space out the watering clearly. The plant drinks little when it slows down, and too much water on a cold substrate is the leading cause of loss. Water at room temperature, low in lime, avoids spots on the foliage.

Soil and repotting

The anthurium is epiphytic by nature: its roots want air, not compact soil. An airy mix does the job, for example two thirds tropical plant potting soil and one third orchid substrate, with a little bark or perlite.

Repot every two to three years, in spring, into a pot only slightly larger and always with drainage holes. Roots poking out of the top are not a flaw in this plant, it is how it naturally works.

Temperature and humidity

The anthurium likes steady warmth, between 18 and 25 degrees all year round. Below 15 degrees it stops. Keep it away from windows that cool down at night in winter, and from draughts.

It is mainly air humidity that causes trouble here. The plant demands humid air, around 60 percent, whereas Belgian central heating drops interiors to 30 or 40 percent. The result: brown, dry leaf tips and aborted buds. Mist several times a week, or set the pot on a tray of moist clay pebbles without the base touching the water.

Pruning and upkeep

The anthurium does not really need pruning. You simply remove, right at the base, the yellowed leaves and the old faded spathes, using a clean tool.

Wipe the waxy foliage with a damp cloth from time to time, as dust reduces the light it captures. A diluted fertiliser for flowering plants, every two to four weeks from April to September, supports flowering. Stop in winter.

Pests and diseases

The real danger is root rot, caused by too much water and a soggy substrate. Foliage that yellows suddenly, a soft base, soil that smells musty: repot, cut away the black roots and replant in fresh, well-draining mix. This is the number one problem in Belgian interiors, especially in winter.

As for pests, the dry air from heating favours two enemies. Red spider mites weave fine webs under the leaves and give a speckled, dull look. Mealybugs settle in the leaf axils and on the stems, in cottony white clusters or small brown shells. Raising humidity discourages spider mites; for mealybugs, dab with alcohol on cotton and treat with black soap.

Propagation

Division is the simplest and most reliable method. When you repot in spring, take out the root ball and separate the side offshoots that already carry their own roots. Repot each division in the same airy mix, warm and humid.

Allow a few weeks before you see new leaves. Do not divide too small: a division with two or three leaves and a good bundle of roots takes off far better than a puny offshoot.

Toxicity

The whole plant contains calcium oxalate crystals. If a cat, dog or child chews a leaf or a stem, it causes strong irritation of the mouth and throat, heavy drooling, sometimes vomiting and swelling. Rarely serious, but distinctly unpleasant. Place the plant out of reach of nibbling animals and young children.

Month-by-month care calendar

Green Hub tips

• The number one enemy here is the heating: always keep the anthurium away from radiators and mist it in winter.
• Systematically empty the saucer after watering. Roots left soaking rot, it is the leading cause of loss in Belgian interiors.
• Brown, dry leaf tips? That is air that is too dry, not a lack of water. Raise the humidity with a tray of moist pebbles.
• Toxic to cats, dogs and children if chewed: place it up high, out of reach of nibblers.
• To propagate, divide in spring keeping pieces with two or three leaves and good roots, they take off far quicker.