How to Grow and Care for Anthurium

make a good mix. You can also add sand and peat moss to orchid mix for a coarse well-draining soil.

Water

Keep soil slightly moist and never allow it to dry out completely. Water indoor plants about once a week or when the top of the soil is dry to the touch. Grown outdoors plants may need water every two to three days. Water your plant until it runs from the pot's drainage holes but do not leave it to sit in water. Anthuriums are vulnerable to

Temperature and Humidity

All species are native to the tropics, and prefer high humidity and temperatures between 65°F and 85°F. These plants can be grown outside in zones 11 to 12. They'll be damaged in temperatures below 60°F, and die off when temperatures dip to 40°F.

In dry climates or during dry winter months, set it on a   keep humidity levels high. You may find it necessary to run a humidifier constantly during dry months.

Fertilizer

Feed a high phosphorus liquid fertilizer throughout the growing period. Dilute to 1/4 strength and feed every week. Phosphorus-rich fertilizer encourages your anthurium to flower.

Types of Anthurium

• A. andreanum: Common species that grow a little over 1 foot with red, white, pink, and variegated flowers; distinguished by a straight flower spike
• A. scherzerianum: Common species; most forgiving of anthuriums, features a curling orange flower spike and arrow-shaped leaves : Less common species; deep green, velvety leaves with pronounced white ribs; leaves grow around 2 feet across
• A. faustomirandae: Less common species; monster-sized plant with cardboard-stiff leaves, grows over 5 feet; almost exclusively a greenhouse plant

Pruning

Remove older leaves and flowers as they fade and begin to die back. Pinch them off at the base or use a sterile hand pruner to cut them from the main stem. Pruning to shape your plant can be done any time during the year. Remove extra tall stems and any that grow at odd angles.

Avoid over pruning always leaving at least three to four leaves on the plant. Damaged leaves can be partially removed with the bad parts cut out. If your plant has just a few leaves it's better to keep a partial leaf until a new one emerges.