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When And How To Water Anthurium

When And How To Water Anthurium

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Anthurium care is not difficult, but these plants are easily overwatered. They prefer a low to medium amount of water. But what amount of water is the right amount? And how often do you water your Anthurium?

Read all about how to supply enough water for your plant and home often to water.

Water Anthuriums

You water Anthuriums about once every seven days when the potting soil is dry to the touch. These plants need little water as they are epiphytes. They grow best in a well-draining potting mix. Ensure sufficient drainage using a pot with drainage holes to avoid root rot.

Water Anthurium
Water Anthurium

Do Anthuriums Like a Lot of Water?

Anthuriums do not like much water, but they love high humidity as they are tropical plants. They have big fleshy adventitious roots that rot easily, according to the University of Hawaii. The optimal humidity is between 70-80%. These aroid plants are susceptible to overwatering.

How often to water Anthuriums

Water an Anthurium plant as you would water a Philodendron. The best frequency to water is about once every seven days. If you are in a hot and arid climate, more frequent watering might be necessary. Anthurium prefers light watering only. Especially as a houseplant, it is easy to water too often.

Sunlight

The amount of sunlight an Anthurium gets will impact the water it needs. The more sunlight, the higher the water needs. The ideal light is bright indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight for more than 4 hours a day. Bright direct light in the morning in an eastern-facing window is fine.

Make to keep your plant away from heaters in winter as they might dry out quickly.

Should You Mist Your Anthurium?

You should not mist your Anthurium. A great way to increase the humidity indoors is by using a humidifier. This will increase the air humidity consistently. They need to be filled up with water every week. If the room is small or if you are using a grow tent or a terrarium, you can consistently provide up to 80% humidity.

Best Way to Water

The best way to water an Anthurium is using the bottom watering method. This way, the plant soaks in all the water it needs.

Step 1: Get a plastic container

Step 2: Fill it with lukewarm water

Step 3: Take the plant out of the outer pot

Step 4: Let the plant soak for about 20 minutes

Step 5: Put the plant back in its original location

How Do You Know if Your Anthurium Needs Water?

To know if your plant needs a drink, put your index finger 2-3 inches into the potting soil. If the potting mix is dry to the touch, it’s time to water. If the soil is still humid, wait for watering and test again. Alternatively, use a moisture meter to know when to water your plant.

The water requirements of indoor plants are generally higher than outdoor plants. This is because the amount of water that is available in the soil is limited.

Anthurium plants should be watered once the soil is dry to the touch
Anthurium plants should be watered once the soil is dry to the touch

Do Anthuriums Like to Stay Moist?

Anthurium’s not like constantly moist soil and prefers to dry out between waterings. Ensure to use airy potting soil. Use a pot with drainage holes and a saucer underneath. This way, excess water can drain out of the pot.

How to Know your Plant Requires Water?

These are signs that it is time to water your anthurium:

  • If the tips of the leaves are brown
  • When there is any wilting foliage
  • Dry soil to the touch
  • A light pot

What Underwatering Does To Plants

Avoid underwatering your plants. Each time a plant is underwatered, the plant takes a hit as plant cells are damaged. Plants will perk up again if the foliage is not wilting too much. Getting enough water for your plant is as important as a consistent watering schedule.

What Does an Overwatered Anthurium Look Like?

An overwatered anthurium will develop yellow leaves and root rot if you are overwatering. Anthuriums aren’t fond of overwatering and will not forgive too much water. Water when the top is dry with a small amount of water. Standing water in the bottom of the pot leads to rot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easy to grow anthurium plants indoors?

Anthurium is generally easy to grow indoors. The most important thing is to use well-draining soil, a pot with drainage holes, and watering when the soil is dry.

How do you water anthurium plants?

Anthurium plants can be watered from the top or bottom. Bottom watering has the advantage that you are not overwatering your plants. The plants will only take in as much water as needed.

Is watering anthurium with ice cubes a good idea?

Ice cubes are not a good idea to use for plant watering. Ice water is too cold and can damage the root system of plants. Generally, lukewarm water is optimal.

Do anthuriums like self-watering pots?

Self-watering pots can be used. Anthuriums grow well in these pots as they allow for a constant water supply.

Can I grow anthurium in water?

Anthurium can be grown in water indefinitely if the water is exchanged frequently. In addition, water flow, as well as airflow, is crucial. Nutrients also need to be added to the water from time to time.