Anthurium plants contain 1000 different genus species, commonly known as the Flamingo plant. These plants enjoy the tropical climate of the Amazon Forest but are hardy enough to be good house plants, although they can be a bit finicky.
To make your Anthurium plants grow faster, ensure they have the right amount of light, water, and humidity. Providing them with the correct mix of soil and fertilizer for their growth and ensuring the right pot size will give you a bright and healthy plant all year round.
So your Anthurium has decided to go on a grow-slow strike. There are several reasons this could be happening, from apparent reasons to reasons you may have to dig a little deeper to uncover. No matter the cause of your prize plant striking, there is always an explanation.
About Anthuriums
Anthuriums are epiphytes consisting of aerial root systems that have allowed these plants to adapt to growing on other plants and in rocky conditions. They climb and latch themselves to different surfaces, soaking their roots into moss litter and absorbing the moisture to quench their thirst.
Even though their roots may never know the soil’s soft, moist feeling, they absorb water and nutrients through their aerial roots from decomposing crumbs of other plants.
In nature, Anthurium plants tend to spread out in all directions as they seek that beam of sunlight or that drop of fresh morning dew. Their ideal conditions are found in tropical rainforests, where they are intermittently showered by the daily rainfalls and enjoy the rich, steamy baths of the forest’s humidity.
The roots of Anthuriums tend to sprout out rhizomes that are semi-independent stem shoots. These rhizomes ensure the plant’s existence if the core plant ever got hurt or damaged.
4 Ways to Improve the Plant’s Growth Rate
You have noticed that your Anthurium plant has slowed down in its growth rate or significantly reduced its blooming cycle. There are several reasons why your house companion may not be growing as well as it should.
Ensuring you have the correct mix of soil and that your Anthurium is placed in the perfect light conditions helps give it that bright, fresh look it is so popular for.
Also, recreating a humid environment and dealing with root bound will ensure your plant is happy and healthy.
Use the Right Mix of Soil
An aerial root system means that these plants hate soggy wet ground and would much rather have coarse well-draining potting mix with a pH level of 5.5 to 6.5.
The right mix of soil provides these plants with nutrients and root aeration that help with natural pest control. It also allows for proper gas exchanges and retaining the correct amount of moisture—all while promoting quicker growth and ensuring that you have beautiful blooms.
Here are two recipes to create your own potting soil at home for your Anthurium.
- Combine equal parts of peat, perlite, and pine bark.
- Combine two parts of orchid soil with one part peat and one part perlite.
Add small amounts of water at a time to bind all the ingredients, but be careful not to make the mix too soggy.
If you don’t want to risk mixing the soils yourself and prefer to trust the pros, then there are several ready-made varieties of soil that you can purchase for your plant:
- Bloomscape potting mix
- Sunshine Anthurium plant soil
- Mama Anthurium Growing Medium
- Miracle-Gro indoor potting soil (available on Amazon.com)
Provide Sufficient but Indirect Light
Anthurium plants thrive in bright areas of your home but absolutely hate direct sunlight. So finding a nice warm place with plenty of natural light will give your plant a healthy glowing look.
Although Anthuriums will survive in low lights, they will not be in great health. They will produce straggly leaves and pale blooms. And like most things, you will find that your Flamingo flower is stagnant in its growth.
Light is one of the essential elements for a plant’s ability to photosynthesize, allowing them to produce the nutrient they need to grow and survive.
Make sure that it has ample indirect sunlight and is kept warm and comfy. These plants enjoy tropical climates, so keeping the plant in a temperature zone of between 60-85 °F (16-27 °C) will be ideal.
They thrive in bright areas with amply natural light, so east or south-facing windows are ideal to ensure it has plenty of light without direct contact with the sun.
Maintain High Levels of Humidity
Anthuriums come from the steamy and humid heat of the tropical jungle, and they thrive best in humidity conditions of around 80%.
Unless you’re a jungle baby and enjoy the same conditions, it is unlikely that your home will replicate that type of condition. So misting your plant daily in dry conditions with lukewarm water will help in giving your plant the feeling of humidity that keeps its soil moist.
Another way to mimic humidity is to place a shallow bowl with gravel or pebbles. Fill the bowl with water without covering the top of the pebbles. Place your Anthurium pot over the pebbles, ensuring that the pot’s drainage holes are not submerged in the water.
The evaporation of the water around the pot will replicate an environment of humidity and make the plant feel right at home.
Prevent Your Plant From Being Root-Bound
Let’s face it; no plant will do well with root-bound. This is when the plants get too big for their boots, literally. The roots start to double back on themselves, making it more difficult to absorb the water and nutrients that it needs to survive and grow.
There are a few ways to know when your Anthurium becomes root-bound.
- Roots peep out of the soil and start to circle the pot.
- Roots start to grow out of the drainage holes of the pot.
- The foliage wilts and growth slows down.
- Persistent dehydration is also an indication of crowded roots.
Remove your plant from the pot and wash off any excess soil and trim back the roots. You can trim back about 1/3 of the root system off without hurting your plant. If the roots still look too big to use the same pot, then repot them in a container, no more than 2 inches (5 cm) bigger than the old one.
How Quickly Does Anthurium Grow?
Anthurium plants develop at a moderate growth rate, and in one season, growth can reach 2 feet (0.6 m) in progress.
An Anthurium plant outside can grow approximately 20 inches (50 cm) in a 2 to 5-year period, depending on the plant’s environment and how happy it is. In a controlled home environment, your Anthurium leaves will not grow past 18 inches (45 cm).
Anthurium plants can sprout new leaves every 4 to 6 weeks, and their flowers last 6 to 7 weeks, depending on how warm and bright your home is.
Recommended Growing Conditions
Below is a compiled chart of conditions, remedies, and recommendations for quick reference:
| Condition | Recommendation |
| Watering needs | Watering once a week in the growing season and every two weeks in winter |
| Signs it is not feeling well | Dull, discolored, and drooping foliage |
| Lighting needs | Brightly lit areas with indirect sunlight |
| Ultimate temperature | Warm areas of about 60-80 °F (16-27 °C) |
| Humidity conditions | Favorably 80% humidity conditions |
| Idea soil | Porous, slightly acidic |
| Best location | The bathroom is best due to the humidity |
| Trimming and pruning | Prune occasionally to remove dead leaves/flowers to allow new growth |
| Growth behaviors | Grows spherically outward, upright, and bushy |
| Are they flowering plants? | Yes, bright colors of black, yellow, orange, red, green, purple, pink, salmon, brown, and even blue. |
| Fertilization type/times | Water-soluble fertilizer every 3-4 months in moist soil |
| Poisonous | Toxic when ingested, has irritating sap |
Conclusion
When the Anthurium plant’s needs are followed, and the correct amount of moisture, sun, soil, and humidity is optimal, you will find your Anthurium will thrive and put its best roots forward for you and bloom with lustrous vibrant colors.
