5+ Biggest Anthurium Plant Problems: How To Avoid Them

Growing anthurium or Flamingo flowers would be great but it comes with various problems to be aware of. Hey Gardeners! I’m Anna Scott, a Gardener by heart and Profession, started my Journey 15 years ago and Now I am teaching other gardeners as well to achieve their goals.

Anthurium is a hardy and popular plant that is exposed to various problems like pests, diseases, watering issues, sunlight issues, temperature issues, etc. that affect the growth of the plant. Common pests like Aphids, mealybugs, scales, and thrips affected the growth of the plant. Moreover, inspect the plant so that you prevent the plant. 

As I mentioned the biggest problems this plant faces. So let’s move forward to learn about the problems that affect the growth of anthurium plants in detail.

 

About Anthurium plants 

Anthurium plants are also famous as the Flamingo flower, Hawaiian love plant, Cresta de Gallo, or Tongue of Fire that every Gardener adores.

There are more than 1,000 species of Anthurium to grow. That is why it is known as the largest genus that belongs to the Araceae family. 

Anthurium is native to tropical America, Brazil, Costa Rica, and Cuba. The plant will grow as per its species. Some varieties are terrestrial and some are epiphytic. This fast-growing plant produces large flowers in the plant. 

5+ Biggest Anthurium Plant Problems

Anthurium plants are easy-to-grow plants that require your attention and care to grow. Without proper nutrients, this plant will not grow well in your area. So, below are the biggest anthurium plant problems and the ways to fix them: 

Watering Issues

• The biggest anthurium plant problem is the watering issues, in this underwatering and overwatering both come.
• Overwatering causes fungus and bacteria growth in the plant which causes root rot.
• Also, an excess supply of water will occur with wilted or yellow-colored leaves in the plant.
• Underwatering will cause dead leaf tips in the plant and drooping leaves as well.

How to fix: 

To prevent overwatering issues, let the soil dry out before you water again. Check the moisture of the soil by inserting a finger inside the soil about 2 inches deep. 

If the soil is damp, then there is no need to water the plant. Water, the plant one time in a week. Prune off all the infected roots from the plant by making use of sterilized shears. 

Sunlight Issues

• The appropriate supply of sunlight is difficult to find for this plant which is another problem faced by this plant. 
• If you expose this plant to the sunlight for a long time, then it wilts the plant leaves.
• As the plant has thick leaves, it does not demand direct sunlight as it will burn the leaves. 
• If you observe brown tips in the leaves, then it is a sign of low contact of sunlight with the plant.
• This plant ideally requires a good amount of indirect sunlight to grow. If it does not receive, then it causes slow growth.

How to fix:

If the plant is not receiving sufficient, then you can make use of LED grow lights as supplements so that the plant grows well. on the other side if the plant is sunburned, then you have to move it to a shady location for a few weeks. 

You can place it near the south-facing window or west-facing window. It will fix the sunlight problems of the anthurium plants.

Poor Soil Structure

• More than water and sunlight, Soil plays a major role in the growth of the plant. 
• If you’re providing good potting mix to your plant, then it will provide it nutrients to grow well and also prevent overwatering.
• When you use poor soil mix for the plant, it causes slow growth in the plant which affects the blooms.
• It will produce a foul smell in the soil and it destroys the plant. 

How to fix:

It is important to fix this issue as soon as possible to save your plant from dying. For this, you have to repot the anthurium plant. Make use of the right potting mix for the plant. 

You can make your mix by using equal parts of peat moss, leaf mold, and perlite. It will make a great mixture for the plant to grow. 

Over-Fertilizing Anthuriums

• Last but not least, it is the other biggest anthurium plant problem. 
• As you know excess of everything is bad, the same happens if you over-fertilize this plant. 
• It will affect the development and growth of the plant. It affects the salt in the plant.
• It will turn the foliage into a brown color and also leaf burn. 
• Nitrogen is a component that helps a plant to produce flowers.
• And when it is in excess, that reduces the production of flowers in the plant. 

How to fix: 

Last, but not least prevent this issue by reducing the salt build-up in the soil, you have to flush the root ball with water. Repeat this after every 3 to 4 months. 

Solutions to Common Anthurium Problems

Anthurium plants will cherish you with their amazing foliage if you maintain their growth. Below are the solutions to common anthurium problems: 

Adjust your watering schedule

One of the best solutions to the problems is to adjust the watering schedule of your plant. You have to water the plant only when the top inches of the soil become fully dry. 

Check the moisture of the soil by inserting a finger inside the soil and if it feels damp, then there is no need to water the plant whereas if it feels dry, then you can water the plant. 

During summers, you have to water for about 2 to 3 days a week whereas at the time of winter, reduce the frequency of water to one time a week. 

Limit the application of fertilizer

This plant does not require much fertilizer to grow as it causes issues that are already explained above, so you have to fertilize the plant every 3 to 4 months. 

Fertilize the plant by diluting it to half of its strength. Choose a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus as it will grow more and more blooms. 

Make sure you get the temperature right

The ideal range of temperature for this plant lies between 65°F to 80°F or 18 to 26.6°C during the daytime. 

During night the temperature should not go less than 60°F or 15.5°C.

Adjust light levels

Provide the plant with a good amount of indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight will burn the plant leaves so do not let the plant come in contact with the full sunlight. 

you can place the plant near the window, where it can receive ample indirect, bright sunlight to thrive well. 

Diseases

You can control the diseases by applying fungicides. Apply the mixture about 2 to 3 times a week to prevent diseases in the plants. During summers do not harvest the soil that is infected. 

Summing up the Context 

In this guide, you come to know that Anthurium is a hardy and popular plant exposed to various problems like pests, diseases, watering issues, sunlight issues, temperature issues, etc. that affect the plant’s growth. Common pests like Aphids, mealybugs, scales, and thrips affected the growth of the plant. Moreover, inspect the plant so that you prevent the plant. 

I hope you are clear with the guide. If not, then read the full guide to coem to knwo about the biggest anthurium plant problems in detail and its preventive measures. I will come back with another informative guide soon. Till then safe gardening. 

Thanks for reading! Happy Gardening! 

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