Didn't Anthurium wander off? Caring for wonderful wanderers.

Anthurium is a plant that enchants with its beautiful and expressive flowers. This exotic plant is also known as quiver due to the shape of its flowers which resemble quivers or they are also called flamenka because the flowers also resemble a candle flame. It comes from the tropical regions of Central and South America and surprisingly belongs to the "aroid" plant family. Anthurium is a popular green addition to interiors due to its attractive appearance and ability to purify the air. Anthurias are one of the few indoor plants that bloom, but they can bloom all year round and the flowers last for months.

The history of Anthuria dates back to the 19th century, when the plant was discovered by European explorers during their travels to the tropical regions of America. The original inhabitants of these areas used it not only as an ornamental plant, but also for its medicinal properties. Since then, Anthurium has become a popular plant all over the world.

Anthurium for beginners?

Anthurium can be a suitable plant for beginners if you are prepared to put in a little time and care to make the plant thrive. Anthurium is not the most demanding plant, but it does require some attention and following some basic procedures.

If you are a beginner and like the challenge and care of plants, Anthurium can be a great choice. Before buying Anthuria, be sure to do a little familiarization with this plant so you know what you're getting into.

What you will definitely enjoy when growing this plant:

1. Hardiness: Anthurium is generally a fairly hardy plant. If you follow the basic care, it has the ability to do well in the home environment.

2. Slow growth: Anthurium has a slower growth rate, which can be an advantage for beginners as it does not require repotting as often as some other plants.

3. Decorative flowers: The flowers of Anthuria are beautiful and aesthetically attractive, which makes this plant a great decorative element for the interior, but beware of Anthuria species, some, especially the rarer ones, are ornamental especially with leaves and the flowers are relatively inconspicuous, e.g. the very popular Anthurium Clarinervium .

Photo: Anthurium Clarinervium was one of the first houseplants in our house!

Anthurium care is the basis for its healthy growth and flowering.

Anthurium is a beautiful and elegant plant that can be a great addition to your home and growers of these plants have unofficially split into 2 camps. Those who buy the plant for their interesting flowers and those who love the simplicity of their leaves and flowers do not bother them. Which group do you belong to?

By observing the right care and conditions, you can enjoy a long flowering period and decorate your environment with the exotic beauty of Anthuria. Let's take a look at caring for them.

What environment suits them and how much light?

Anthurium prefers bright but indirect lighting. It is advisable to place the plant in a place that is very bright, but not exposed to direct sunlight. Too much sun could burn Anthuria leaves and flowers. A location near an east or west window is usually ideal.

It needs higher air humidity for healthy growth. You can increase the humidity of the air around the plant by regularly spraying it with lukewarm water. Another option is to place the plant on a tray with wet pebbles or use a humidifier near the plant.

Dressing

Anthurium requires regular but moderate watering. Before watering, make sure that the top layer of the substrate is slightly dried. Do not overwater the plant, as overwatering can lead to root rot. It is also important not to use hard water containing calcium as this could damage the Anthurium roots.

Fertilization

During the period of active growth, it is advisable to fertilize the plant. Use a balanced fertilizer for flowering plants and apply according to package directions. Fertilizing too much could damage the roots, so it is important to follow the recommended doses. For a better root system, you can use lignohumate regularly or alternate with fertilizing, which will support the growth of healthy roots and at the same time you can use it to replace fertilizers in winter.

How to propagate Anthurium

Can be propagated by dividing the plant or cuttings. When dividing the plant, make sure that each separated piece has enough roots and leaves. When cutting, select a healthy, medium-sized leaf and remove part of the stem. Place the new cutting in moist substrate and keep it warm and moist until it begins to form roots. With anthuriums, it is recommended to separate the whole stems rather than cutting them, because there is a higher chance that the cuttings will not take hold.

Suitable substrate

Anthurium requires a well-drained substrate that retains moisture but does not retain excess water. You can use a mixture of peat, perlite and garden soil in a ratio of 2:1:1. This mixture will provide the necessary structure and nutrients for Anthurium to grow. You can also use the already mixed mixture for aroids , which is suitable for this type of plant.

Author: Martin Seidl