Anthurium Pendens Care — All You Need to Know

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Anthurium are a must-have in home gardens for so many reasons. Some of them filter the air, while others have exotic foliage and beautiful flowers. 

Pendens Anthuriums are best grown in hanging baskets where their strappy, long leaves will trail downward and create a waterfall effect.

The leaves have a matte or semi-glossed appearance with a dark green upper side. The petioles are brown or red-colored, which complements the green foliage.

This rare plant is an epiphytic Anthurium, so you can grow it with other similar plants and follow the same care schedule. 

This pendant plant is endemic to the coastal and hilly areas of Panama and Columbia, under the Anthuriums‘ Porphyrochitonium section.

For ease, we have created this detailed plant care guide dedicated to this variety. 

 

Anthurium Pendens Care

Caring for Anthurium Pendens begins by creating a soil mix using potting soil, peat, orchid bark, sphagnum moss, and perlite. The soil should be acidic, meaning the pH falls within 5.5 to 6.5. After that, you need to water it once a week and keep it at 80% or above air humidity. The optimal temperature lies between 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 32 degrees Celsius).

 

Soil

The soil for your plant is not just dirt because it plays a major role in the growth. It can also impact other factors like watering and fertilizer.

This is an epiphytic plant; planting it in a loose aroid mix will replicate its natural environment. 

It would be highly recommended to put some effort into creating the right potting mixture as it helps your plant adjust and grow in the new environment.

Epiphytic roots need lots of oxygen, so loose growing mediums with air pockets are recommended for them. 

The main criterion for Anthurium soil is soil drainage because you can compensate for poor soil with fertilizers.

You can buy a commercially made aroid mix or create your own Anthurium mix using the following ingredients:

• Peat (20%)
• Potting soil (30%)
• Sphagnum moss or perlite (10%)
• Orchid bark (40%)

Combine all the ingredients in a large container and transfer them to individual pots. You can also add a purifying element like charcoal to this mixture.

Creating your own soil mixture allows you to experiment and adjust the quantity depending on your plant requirements and climate, so most professional gardeners prefer this option.

Another point to remember about Anthuriums is that they are acid-loving houseplants, so the soil pH should be acidic within the range of 5.5 – 6.5.

 

Water

Water this Anthurium when the potting soil is dry on touch. Anthurium roots are epiphytic, so they do not enjoy sitting in a sludgy soil mixture. 

Soggy soil can also become home to harmful soil microbes that can cause fungal or root rot infections.

The container for your Anthurium Pendens also plays a role in watering. 

A terracotta pot means the water will escape the soil faster. Whereas a ceramic or plastic pot means the water will retain for a longer period.

Forgetful gardeners should go for ceramic or plastic pots, but most gardeners prefer using a terracotta pot because it reduces the chances of overwatering.

Better use pots with drainage holes. But if you end up with a pot with no drainage hole, you can create one or two drainage holes at the bottom.

Water this Anthurium such that the soil remains breathable and moist. Watering this variety once a week will do this for your plant.

 

Light

Anthuriums need sunlight to maintain their beautiful leaves throughout the growing season. 

The best light for Anthurium Pendens is bright indirect sunlight. But it can also survive under lightly shaded areas.

Please remember that if a plant can survive under certain growing conditions, it will not have optimum growth. 

Therefore, your plant might grow in shaded spots, but the leaf size or color will be impacted, and it will not reach the maximum size.

 

Temperature

Anthurium Pendens can be planted or grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zone 10 or above. This Anthurium, like others, will grow happily in temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).

For indoor gardening, the optimum temperature is between 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 32 degrees Celsius). 

This plant does not like sitting near a heat or cold source such as vents or air conditioners.

 

Humidity

This plant has creeping roots that might grow out of the pot. So you’d need to do something to keep the roots thriving. 

Usually, maintaining high humidity around the plant will keep these creeping roots thriving.

If your house has a dry atmosphere, you should add a moisture-retaining element to the soil to tackle low humidity. Else your plant will dry out every now and then.

These tropical plants should be kept in rooms or areas with a constant humidity of 80% or above.

 

Fertilizer

Fertilizers in liquid form are recommended for this Anthurium plant. You can fertilize it once a month to keep the roots, shoots, and leaves healthy.

If you want to help the plant bloom, use a phosphorus-based fertilizer; otherwise, a regular houseplant fertilizer is enough.

 

Repotting

Most Anthuriums go dormant in cold winter weather, so they grow actively only during the warm months. This means they are slow growers. 

Anthurium Pendens can tolerate a tight, root-bound condition for a short period, but this can kill your plant in the long term.

You can repot it if it shows stunted growth or looks too big in the current pot. Go for a pot 2 inches larger than the previous one.

Some gardeners prefer reusing old soil mixture, but this practice is discouraged by professionals. You have to prepare fresh soil before repotting. 

You can use the same soil recipe discussed in the soil section. 

Repotting every 1-2 years is recommended to keep the soil airy and fresh. Repotting will also enhance the moisture retention and nutrient content soil properties.

 

Pruning

The leaves are long but not sturdy, so they can easily damage. 

You have to prune the damaged or brown parts from the leaves. But if it’s a fungal infection, look for another solution.

 

Propagation

For propagation, use the leaf-cutting method. You will need a healthy leaf, gardening scissors, plastic sheets, and sphagnum moss.

Sanitize your tools to get rid of any harmful organisms. Wrap a small quantity of sphagnum moss around the leaf node of your cutting.

Wet the moss and wrap it with a plastic sheet. Cut few tiny holes on the plastic sheet for air circulation. Avoid covering the leaf should in this moss.

All you have to do is mist the moss through the holes to encourage root growth. Once you are sure that the leaf node has developed few healthy roots, remove the plastic sheet.

Now take cuttings and propagate the leaf to a new pot with a substrate designed for Anthuriums. 

Take good care of the leaf-cutting during the initial stages of growth to ensure you have a healthy Anthurium Pendens.

 

Blooms

This Anthurium is not grown for blooms because they are not attractive and difficult to achieve in an indoor growing environment. 

In the native habitat, this plant also produces berry-shaped fruit. 

The inflorescence on the Anthurium Pendens has a greenish-white, thin spathe 2.9 inches (7.5 cm) long. The spadix varies in shades of greenish-brown and pink. 

Seven to eight square-shaped blooms are also visible in a spiral pattern.

 

Growth

The eye-catching leaves are long, pendent strap-shaped. These leaves will naturally grow towards the ground, so place this plant in a hanging pot or keep your floor planter at a high location.

The lower side of the leaves has a faded green color compared to the upper side, which is dark green.

The petioles have a reddish-brown color and are 3 inches or 8 cm long. The leaf blades are acute at base, broad in the middle, and have a leathery touch.

On average, each leaf is 1 – 4.9 inches (3-12.5cm) wide and 16 – 29 inches (41-75 cm) long. 

But gardeners have also seen 3 ft long leaves for this plant, so the actual length will depend on the care you provide.

The growth rate of this plant depends on plant care because some growers classify it as a slow grower while others say it’s a moderate grower.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Common Problems for Anthurium Pendens

 

Brown Leaves

Every plant parent loves the lush green leaves on their houseplants. 

But if your Anthurium Pendens has brown leaves, follow the instructions given below.

 

Sun Damage

If you kept the Pendens plant under direct sunlight, brown leaves indicate sun damage. Intense sunlight will also dry out the soil faster. 

Move your Anthurium to a new location with filtered sunlight.

 

Aging

Aging is a natural process where the old foliage will lose color and make room for new leaves. 

Let the plant be, and soon you will see new leaves emerging.

 

Lack of Nutrients

If you have not repotted or fertilized the soil in a while, your plant might be suffering from a lack of essential nutrients. 

You can fertilize your Anthurium with a slow-release fertilizer using the instructions on the package.

 

Root Rot

This is a serious consequence of overwatering your Anthurium. 

Let the soil dry for few days, and after that, water your plant only when 1-2 inches from the top are dry. You can also repot to replace the soil mixture.

 

Tips for Growing Anthurium Pendens

• This Anthurium should not be planted in a dense soil medium.
• Always plant this Anthurium variety in a well-draining pot with at least one hole or opening at the bottom. This can prevent several watering issues for your plant.
• If your pot has no holes, drill a hole or place the plant in a separate pot that has holes before putting it in the pot with no holes. In other words, you’re using the pot as a cachepot.
• If your potting soil drains too quickly, you can cover the soil with a layer of sphagnum moss that helps retain moisture.
• Make sure the potting mixture is thoroughly mixed. Layering should be avoided as it increases the chances of infections.
• Using organic and natural fertilizers for Anthurium Pendens will minimize salt buildups in the soil caused by synthetic fertilizers.
• Do not repot this Anthurium to a very large pot because the extra moisture in the soil will stress the plant.
• Growing this plant under low light or shade leads to slow growth. Avoid this light setting if you want your plant to grow fast.
• Water propagation eliminates the risk of overwatering, but it takes longer.
• Your Anthurium needs regular watering and moist soil from March to September. You can water it less in winter.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions about Anthurium Pendens Care

 

What are the differences between Anthurium Pendens and Anthurium Wendlingeri?

The spadix for Anthurium Pendens is slightly curved at the end and short in length. Anthurium Wendlingeri has an unusual spadix that is long and spiral-shaped. The leaves for Pendens have a matte finish compared to the other plant.

 

How can you alter the Anthurium soil mix if you want to improve the airflow or water retention?

Vermiculite, peat moss, or sphagnum moss will help the soil retain moisture, increasing the percentage in the soil mix. For airflow, you can add pumice, perlite, or bark.

 

Why shouldn’t you use old potting soil while repotting the Anthurium Pendens?

Avoid using old potting soil for your Anthurium or any other houseplant because it rarely offers your plants anything. Most of the nutrients have already depleted, and soil is also highly compacted. There is a high chance of bacteria or fungal growth as well.

 

Can you root this Anthurium in water?

Growing Anthuriums in water is a fun activity for all types of gardeners. It’s a challenging task, but if you follow the guidelines about growing your Anthurium in water, your plant will root and grow in a jar of water. However, it will be smaller in size compared to the one growing in a soil-based medium.

 

Conclusion

Anthurium Pendens will stand out if you place it among other heart-shaped Anthuriums. This is a high humidity plant, so you cannot grow it in a dry atmosphere.

This plant will never have an upright growth habit place it in a pot or container where the leaves fall downwards. 

If you like this plant, you might be interested in another pendent variety Anthurium Wendlingeri.