Skip to Content

Anthurium Not Flowering — 14 Tips to Get Anthurium to Bloom

Anthurium Not Flowering — 14 Tips to Get Anthurium to Bloom

Sharing is caring!

Why is my Anthurium not flowering? Anthuriums bloom throughout the year. They produce beautiful flowers and are often used in flower arrangements.

They usually adhere to a three months flowering and three months, not flowering cycle. But somethings Flamingo flowers won’t bloom.

The University of Florida states that new cultivars of Anthurium flower earlier. They also produce more flowers.

The hybrids grow similar inflorescences. The size increases as the plants mature.

In this article, I am going through all the possible reasons I have witnessed when I couldn’t bring my anthurium to bloom.

 

Anthurium Not Flowering

Anthuriums are not flowering because of incorrect lighting, not enough or too much fertilizer, and temperature and humidity stress. Major factors also play the watering schedule and the potting mix.

Anthurium Not Flowering
Anthurium Not Flowering

 

Anthurium Care Basics

The Painter’s Palette needs bright indirect light. 2-2.5k foot candles are optimal. The ideal potting mix is well-draining. A good choice is chunky aroid soil.

The Painter's Palette anthurium requires a well-draining soil mix, particularly chunky aroid soil
The Painter’s Palette anthurium requires a well-draining soil mix, particularly chunky aroid soil

Use a pot with drainage holes. In addition, provide a temperature range between 77-92°F (25-32°C). The optimal humidity is between 70-80%.

Water your anthurium every seven days once the top 1-inch of soil is dry (2.5cm).

Fertilize monthly in the growing season in spring and summer. The ideal fertilizer is a balanced liquid fertilizer with an NPK of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20.

 

14 Reasons Why Anthurium is not Flowering — Get an Anthurium to Bloom

 

1. Soil

Dense soil won’t allow sufficient airflow to the roots. The plant’s roots need to be oxygenated.

This is only possible when air pockets can form in the potting soil. The result is the plant doesn’t flower.

 

Solution

Use a chunky mix consisting of peat, perlite, pumice, charcoal, and orchid bark. Without a well-draining potting mixture, indoor plants have difficulties growing.

A chunky soil mix consisting of peat, perlite, pumice, charcoal, and orchid bark helps your anthurium flower
A chunky soil mix consisting of peat, perlite, pumice, charcoal, and orchid bark helps your anthurium flower

Anthuriums tend to do better in soil which allows the excess water to drain. Repot your Anthurium if this isn’t the case.

 

2. Watering

Water stress can prohibit a plant’s growth. Too little or too much has adverse effects. Too much water leads to soggy soil and, eventually, root rot.

Too little water leads to wilting leaves, flowers, and plants. Never water your Anthurium in the evening.

 

Solution

You should have a regular watering schedule. A good rule of thumb is about one every seven days. It can also be twice a week.

Water the potting mixture thoroughly. Water more in summer compared to winter. Adjust the watering based on the light, humidity, and temperature.

In addition, the size of the plant, the root mass, the pot, and the potting soil affect how much you have to water. Water when the soil dries out. Water the plant in the morning.

 

3. Lighting

Lighting is important. Plants need to conduct photosynthesis using chlorophyll.

Shade indoors is not advised. Your plants need a sunny location in an eastern- or western-facing window.

Avoid direct sunlight in the afternoon. Too much light might scorch and burn the leaves.

For anthuriums to bloom, you need to place them in a sunny area but avoid placing them in direct sunlight in the afternoon
For anthuriums to bloom, you need to place them in a sunny area but avoid placing them in direct sunlight in the afternoon

Anthuriums won’t bloom if you don’t give your plant enough light.

 

Solution

Provide bright light throughout the day. Use grow lights in case sufficient natural sunlight is not available. This is the best way to make sure new flowers are produced readily.

Ensure your Anthurium does not receive more than 4-6 hours of direct light. Preferably in the mornings. Anthuriums typically don’t do well in south-facing windows.

A study by Hawaii University proved increased flowering due to higher light levels.

Anthuriums flower more when they're exposed to higher light levels
Anthuriums flower more when they’re exposed to higher light levels

 

4. Temperature

Anthuriums grow best in temperatures between 77-92 degrees Fahrenheit (25-32 degrees Celsius).

Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (15°C) or above 92 degrees (32°C) stress the plant. Cold drafts, as well as abrupt temperature changes, are also harmful.

 

Solution

To get an Anthurium houseplant to bloom, ensure it is in a location with constant temperatures. Don’t keep it too close to windows or heaters.

Avoid placing anthuriums near windows and heaters as abrupt changes in temperature can harm them
Avoid placing anthuriums near windows and heaters as abrupt changes in temperature can harm them

 

5. Humidity

An overlooked factor is humidity. When your Anthurium isn’t blooming, it could be because of low humidity.

These plants tolerate lower humidity, around 50-40%, but the growth rate is not ideal.

 

Solution

Getting your Anthurium to bloom requires that you mimic the tropical conditions in the jungle as much as possible. The range that these tropical plants prefer is 70-80%.

A humidifier, a terrarium, or a container can help you get these measurements. Alternatively, use a pebble tray filled with water underneath the pot.

Putting plants closely together also increases humidity.

As anthuriums love the high humidity that mimics a tropical jungle's conditions, group them with other plants to increase humidity
As anthuriums love the high humidity that mimics a tropical jungle’s conditions, group them with other plants to increase humidity

 

6. Air Circulation

Insufficient airflow can prevent your Anthurium from flowering. Without ample airflow, it is challenging to grow a healthy plant.

Anthuriums are generally more robust when allowed to move naturally. Plants require their foliage to dry quickly. If water drops remain on leaves or flowers for too long, they will rot.

The reason is bacteria and fungi that spread and grow. They swim across the water on the leaves.

 

Solution

Since there is no wind indoors, use a ventilator. Ensure your anthurium isn’t exposed to too much airflow, which could dry it out.

Anthuriums grow more flowers and stronger stems this way.

 

7. Fertilizer

Infrequent fertilization starves potted plants of nutrients. The amount of micro- and macronutrients in a pot with potting soil is limited. Tap water, as well as rainwater, contains little nutrients.

To bring the plant to flower, ensure that the potted Anthurium gets sufficient plant food. Flowering plants are hungrier than non-flowering plants.

Flowering plants, like anthuriums, are hungrier and require regular feeding with fertilizers for them to grow flowers
Flowering plants, like anthuriums, are hungrier and require regular feeding with fertilizers for them to grow flowers

 

Solution

Use a well-balanced fertilizer rich in Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). Fertilize monthly in spring and summer.

Replace your potting soil every two years. Alternatively, use a slow-release fertilizer every 3-6 months.

You can also fertilize your plans weekly weakly. For this, dilute the fertilizer to 1/2 or 1/3 of the recommended strength.

In a study by the University of Hawaii, monthly fertilizer significantly increased spathe size and flower production.

 

8. Pot

One of the reasons why your Anthurium is not blooming could be the pot. A terracotta pot is porous and might drain too much humidity from the soil.

As terracotta pots are porous, they can drain too much humidity on your anthurium's soil
As terracotta pots are porous, they can drain too much humidity on your anthurium’s soil

A plastic pot, on the other hand, does not breathe and release water.

Compared to terracotta pots, plastic pots do not allow the anthurium's soil to breathe and release water
Compared to terracotta pots, plastic pots do not allow the anthurium’s soil to breathe and release water

Potting holes at the bottom are essential so excess water can drain. Some cultivars flower better in smaller pots. A 4-inch to 6-inch pot might be sufficient.

Solution

If your plant isn’t flowering, inspect the pot. Does it hold exactly the humidity in the soil your plant needs? Is it too big or too small?

If the pot is not suitable, think about repotting your anthurium. Ensure that the combination of potting medium and pot allows for the soil to dry up quickly.

 

9. Repotting

There is a straightforward rule here. Never repot when your plant is either already in bloom or is about to bloom. Repotting can reset your plant. It can get an anthurium plant to abort flowers.

Another reason you cannot make it to bloom is when the plant is either root or pot-bound. It has already outgrown the pot but hasn’t been repotted yet.

 

Solution

When repotting a plant, always choose a pot that only is 1-2 sizes bigger than the plant, including the root ball.

If you want your plant to bloom, only repot in Spring and Summer. This is when plants are actively growing. They will recover quickly and start growing new roots and adapting.

Repot every 1-2 years, depending on the anthurium’s size and growth rate. Ensure there is always sufficient soil in the pot.

 

10. Pests

Pests like mealybugs, thrips, scales, whiteflies, and spider mites are sap-sucking bugs. They are often a vector for diseases such as thrips.

The worst thing is that they cost your plant energy and deprive it of nutrients. An infested plant is weak. You won’t make it bloom.

A paper by the University of Hawaii states that injuries caused by debris and pests hurt flowering.

 

Solution

Inspect your plants weekly for pests. Check the underside of the leaves.

Have a look at the soil. Look out for yellowing leaves as well as browning leaves.

Use neem oil or insecticidal soap. Use a spraying bottle and spray infected plants weekly.

Apply either neem oil or insecticidal soap to your pest-infested anthuriums weekly using a spray bottle
Apply either neem oil or insecticidal soap to your pest-infested anthuriums weekly using a spray bottle

Apply rubbing alcohol to visible pests using a Q-tip. The alcohol on the cotton swab will dissolve the insects.

11. Diseases such as Bacteria and Fungus

Bacterial such as bacterial blight Xanthomonas can lead to spathe and spadix necrosis. It also leads to flower rejection by the plant.

The Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences dedicated a research paper to the impact of Anthurium inflorescence injuries.

Solution

Closely inspect plants before you buy them. Only bring plants home free of diseases.

 

12. A Lack of Pruning

For consistent flowering, you need to ensure the Anthurium receives enough nutrients. It also needs to be pest-free to produce flowers.

It may be flowering despite being attacked by pests, but this will cost a lot of energy.

 

Solution

Look around your plant. Take note of dying flowers and foliage. By pruning off wilting and dying inflorescences, and leaves, you ensure fewer pests. Pests prefer to inhabit dying flowers and leaves.

A second benefit is that the plant doesn’t need any more energy to sustain dying flowers.

 

13. Not Propagating Your Plant

Plants do not live endlessly. Anthurium plants can grow for about five years indoors. Then they become old and tend to wilt and die.

Anthuriums grow indoors for 5 years, then they soon wilt and eventually die
Anthuriums grow indoors for five years, then they soon wilt and eventually die.

Mature Anthuriums generally produce more flowers. But once they get old, they lack vigor and energy. This is when giving your Anthurium a rejuvenation treatment is essential.

 

Solution

Propagate your Anthurium by separation. Dividing the roots mass and offshoots from the mother plant produces more clones.

In addition, your mother plant has more space and nutrients. Place the plantlets into separate containers.

 

14. Too much Salt Buildup

Salts build up from fertilizer usage. The more salt is found in the soil, plant roots will have difficulty taking in nutrients.

 

Solution

Flush the soil with clean water to remove excess salt buildup. You can use a hose or your shower.

When watering your plant, ensure the water passes through the pot’s drainage holes.

 

Anthurium andaeanum

The most common Anthurium is the Anthurium andraeanum. It is not difficult to grow. It produces beautiful flowers consisting of red, white, and yellow spathes.

They are aroid plants. They have a spathe and a spadix. Anthuriums are known epiphytes as they grow on other plants and objects.

The Araceae family consists of 144 genera and 3645 published species, according to Research Gate.

 

The Anthurium Flower

An Anthurium flower consists of a spathe and spadix. The spathe is a modified glossy leaf.

Anthuriums are known to have glossy modified leaves called spathes and a stick at the center called the spadix
Anthuriums are known to have glossy modified leaves called spathes and a stick at the center called the spadix.

The colors can be red, pink, white, or yellow. The spadix grows at the center. It looks like a stick.

The flowers themselves grow as tiny flower clusters on the spadix.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Anthurium Not Flowering

How often does an anthurium bloom?

Anthurium plants can bloom throughout the year. They usually bloom for three months and the rest for three months. The alternate between these two states.

 

Will an anthurium bloom again?

Anthurium plants do rebloom. They bloom multiple times a year.

 

How can you get an Anthurium to produce more flowers?

To produce more flowers, fertilize your plant monthly using well-balanced liquid fertilizers. The more mature a plant is, the more flowers it will grow.