As some of you might know, I’ve recently been exploring Anthurium with a newfound curiosity. In the past, I had dismissed them as too fussy or high-maintenance for my indoor conditions. The jury is still out on that one, but I’ve decided that it’s time for me to give them a fair try - I’ll let my plants and my home conditions decide the fate of my future with Anthurium plants. In the mean time, though, I want to talk about where I started, or where I started again in the case of Anthurium superbum, in case anyone else is on the cusp of taking the same leap. I also want to discuss some accommodations I’m making to ensure that our homes are able to provide the best chance of success for these plants. Finally, I want to share a fun long term project that I’ll hopefully be updating plentifully in the coming months.

Anthurium are members of the Araceae family, also known as Aroids. There are hundreds of species within the Genus Anthurium, and they’re split into categories based on their physical characteristics. Today we will look at some members of the Pachyneurium, Cardiolonchium, and Andiphyllum classifications, although there are other classifications of Anthurium. Some Anthurium species are very well adapted to living inside our homes, and others require specific conditions. Though it would not be impossible to make these accommodations, it might end up being pricey…and your devotion would have to be steadfast. Some of the critical elements to observe for Anthurium care are potting mix, light, humidity and watering. These are the same as for most plants, but the ratios always vary. That’s the fun and challenge of this hobby.

It’s difficult to give specific care needs for an entire genus as they vary so much from plant to plant. Generally, a chunky potting mix that drains very well is a requirement. Anthurium and other epiphytes or lithophytes don’t grow in the soil under our feet. For that reason, they are more likely to do well in specific pots. For plants that are rooting, clear plastic pots allow light to reach the root systems and encourage healthy growth. For more mature plants, terracotta pots with a chunky mix allow breathability around the root area. Some even prefer to grow Anthurium in wooden Orchid baskets (shoutout to my long lost friend of lore for that one) because they provide both light and air flow. Baskets may or may not be something that is practical indoors, that’s for you to decide.

These plants are, like many Aroids, understory plants. They live with less light because they are naturally under the tree canopy in the wild. For that reason, they aren’t accustomed to direct or high light. I like to use my light meter to check for mid-levels of light. I use a four-in-one manual meter as I found the phone apps to be unreliable.

I want this meter, which ranges from one to ten, to reach around five or six for the Anthurium I’m growing. There’s some wiggle room there, so you’ll need to get to know your plant and it’s specific needs.

Humidity is of high concern when growing Anthurium and this is one of the most significant reasons why those special accommodations can be difficult. It took me a while to learn in practice that relative humidity is very tricky when it comes to plant care. I understood this concept in theory, but I had to have experiences that I didn’t enjoy (read: a few unhappy plants) to learn that relative humidity needs to be constant and consistent for high needs plants. We’ll discuss some ways to make these accommodations in the coming paragraphs.

Beginning

One of the more common starter Anthurium is known as the “flamingo flower.” This plant gets its name from the bright, shiny inflorescence with the thin spadix at the center. They come in many shapes and sizes, and there are so many hybrids available that it would be senseless for me to list a genus and species. There are just so many, and for good reason. They are very accepting of indoor conditions and they offer a beautiful pop of color when in bloom. I am going to be honest, I bought this plant begrudgingly. I was going through a phase where I wanted bold and big, but this plant seemed common to me. I bought it because I knew I had to begin somewhere. Over the year and a half that I’ve had this plant, I have come to love it. It’s so low maintenance, it’s always beautiful, and it blooms! I always love a plant that blooms because it’s just the positive feedback I need to keep doing what I’m doing.

This plant gets light around four on my meter, humidity around 50%, lives in a terracotta pot, and is watered weekly. I wouldn’t normally offer a watering timeframe, but this plant is in a small-ish pot and will be repotted in the spring. One of the signs that it’ll soon be due for a repot is that I feel like it’s constantly in need of a drink. The above photo was taken before my plant was potted, but rest assured that it now currently resides snugly in the terra-cotta pot, below.

Not a Beginner, Not Yet an Expert

Anthurium superbum is another good plant to help you get your feet wet. It’s known as a birds nest Anthurium, or Pachyneurium, and there are many other species of Anthurium that can be classified as such. It gets the name from the habit of the leaves. They form a circle with an open center, giving the appearance of a birds nest. This isn’t a terribly difficult plant to find, and with the proper watering practices and humidity, you’ll have a happy plant. The texture in the leaves is remarkable. They’re firm and substantial with an almost otherworldly look. I’ve heard it called Prehistoric on more than once occasion.

This specific plant is new to me, so the following information is what I am doing for my new plant + what I’ve learned from owning this plant previously. This Anthurium superbum lives in terra-cotta with sun around five on my meter and humidity at 60%. It prefers to maintain consistent moisture levels, which doesn’t necessarily mean always moist. While I let many of my aroids dry out between watering, this plant prefers to be watered before fully drying out. The span between watering varies based on time of the year, but I don’t let it go below a three on my moisture meter.

Ready to Take Some Risks

Anthurium clarinervium was my first “wish list” Anthurium. I put off it’s purchase for so long because I was afraid to buy and lose a “wish list” plant. Once I’d finally bought it, I wished I’d done it sooner! It travelled well in shipping, and it’s been a delight to keep. My plant is still small, but I look forward to seeing it continue to grow. Anthurium clarinervium comes from the Andiphyllum section of Anthurium, which is a little counterintuitive seeing as the Cardiolonchium section might be seem more fitting when we dig into the name. Notice the “Cardio?” Many Anthurium have those lovely heart shaped leaves, but clarinervium fits the Andiphyllum bill more accurately, it seems. It is not an epiphyte, it grows on rocks as a lithophyte on and between rocks in its natural habitat.

This plant lives in my greenhouse cabinet where it gets very consistent light from grow lights that measures around six on my meter. It has humidity from 70-80% and I watch it for slight drooping before I water it. It requires an extra chunky soil.

Accommodations

To be clear, not all Anthurium require special accommodations. Some are less finicky, and some of us are just fortunate enough to have great home conditions that don’t require modifications. Experimentation and experience are good, not just with Anthurium but with all plants! Don’t be afraid to try. Don’t be afraid to try again.

The biggest accommodations are humidity and consistency. Consistency encompasses more than just watering, although that is a big part. The consistency is also in the lighting and temperature, I’ve found. For this reason, I have had success growing my pickier plants in my greenhouse cabinet. I love this for the aesthetics, but it isn’t the only option. Grow tents are a great way to provide your plants with the humidity and consistency (you can set up lights and timers, and even heat mats) they need. The key here is to find some way that fits within your lifestyle to create a micro ecosystem for your plant. Maybe that’s just your bathroom! Maybe it’s a greenhouse cabinet like mine from IKEA. Maybe it’s a grow tent. This controlled environment is also helpful for other plants that might be especially sensitive to season or temperature changes. Alocasia can also benefit from putting in this little extra care.

Looking Ahead

I am really happy to be trying something new that’ll hopefully give me tons to write about in the future. I’m growing Anthurium spectibile from seed! That’s actually a bit misleading because it’s the berry of the plant that is planted into the potting mix. Each berry has a seed or two inside, and hopefully they’ll result in new plants! I’m not going to share too much on this because I’m not entirely sure how the whole thing will play out! I’m hoping for the best, but won’t be entirely devastated if the whole thing falls flat! Stay tuned!

As always, please comment below, send me an email, or find me on Instagram to chat about all things Anthurium. I’m always looking for a chat! Don’t forget to check out my mini e-book on making your own potting mix if you’re looking for more information on the right chunky mix to use for your Anthurium, and you can also find my mini e-book on grow lights there as well if your plant needs a boost this winter. Both are available for digital download for $5, so you don’t have to print unless you feel like it!