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Anthurium Not Growing? (4 Causes and the Solution)

Anthurium Not Growing? (4 Causes and the Solution)

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Anthuriums are popular and visually appealing flowers. They’re also one of the easiest indoor plants to care for, which contributes to their popularity.

So, you decided to get an Anthurium and bring some of its vibrant colors into your home. The issue is that it doesn’t appear to be growing.

There could be several reasons why this tropical plant won’t grow. The amount of light, temperature, soil, pot condition, and time of year are all factors that can prevent it from properly developing.

Continue reading to find out more, and we’ll walk you through all the possible causes and solutions for an Anthurium not growing.

How Do Anthuriums Grow in the Wild?

Before we dive into how Anthuriums thrive with human care, let’s first talk about how they grow in their natural environment.

Anthuriums originally come from tropical and warmer regions of the world. They’re specifically native to Ecuador and Columbia, the tropical areas in the south of America.

Similar to orchids, Anthuriums are epiphytes. They’re aerial plants that attach themselves to the surfaces and crevices of trees and other plants to survive.

By placing themselves above ground, Anthuriums can get the sunlight and air they need in a dense tropical forest. They also get water from the air through their aerial roots that extend from the base of their stems.

Anthuriums are tough and can survive warm and cold conditions. Hence, they’re adaptive enough to live inside our homes and gardens.

Why Is Your Anthurium Not Growing?

Your plant’s stunted growth could be caused by a number of factors. Keep in mind, though, that Anthuriums are slow to moderate growers.

These plants’ growth is even slower if you’re growing them from seeds. It could take around three to four years for them to mature and produce their coveted inflorescence.

However, if what you have in your home is an already mature Anthurium and it’s not growing or flowering, then it might be experiencing the problems below.

1 – Seasonal Changes

The varying temperature and conditions that come with seasonal changes is the typical reason why tropical plants grow slowly. This is what growers call the dormancy phase.

Your Anthurium loves humid and warm temperatures. As a result, during the colder and darker months, it’ll slow down or will completely stop growing.

There’s no need to worry, though. When the weather becomes brighter and warmer, your Anthurium will spring right back and grow at its normal rate.

2 – Low Light

Okay, what if it’s smack in the middle of spring or summer and yet your Anthurium still isn’t growing?

In that case, the problem might be where you positioned your flora. It could be that it’s not receiving the appropriate amount of sunlight.

Light is one of the most important elements when it comes to tropical flowers. Hence, a lack of it could cause many issues, like wilting or stunting.

This is especially true if you have an Anthurium that flowers. To grow properly, flowering types require frequent and strong, indirect sunlight.

3 – Poor Soil

Although Anthuriums are aerial plants, a bad soil mixture can still affect their growth. They’re epiphyte flowers that need a properly aerated grounding.

A waterlogged and thick pot soil will hinder the air absorption of Anthuriums. Thus, if you planted it in the same soil that you used for your other houseplants, that could be the reason for its stunted development.

4 – Root Bounded

If your plant’s temperature, light, and soil requirements are all correct but the growing problem persists, it’s time to take a look at your potting situation.

Root bounding occurs when the plant outgrows its pot. When this happens, the roots of the plant encase the whole pot space.

This will suffocate the plant, and it won’t be able to access nutrients from the soil. The confined pot interior will also block air exchange, which is crucial for aerial plants.

If your Anthurium is root-bound, it’ll result in stunted growth. Other symptoms, like yellowing leaves and stems, will appear as well.

How to Encourage Growth in a Stunted Anthurium

Well, after reading the information above, did you discover the problem with your beloved flora?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Let’s look at the best solutions for an Anthurium that’s having some growth issues.

1 – Provide Enough Light

Observe where your Anthurium is sitting. Is it receiving enough sunlight?

If it’s in an area where not enough light is available, then you should relocate it somewhere else that’s brighter.

Make sure, though, to place it in an area where it’s not hit by direct sunlight. The plant won’t be able to withstand the heat, and the sun will scorch the leaves and flowers in the long run.

The best spot to put the pot is near east-facing windows. This way, it can absorb enough light for a few hours in the morning without being burned.

If you live in a closed apartment with no windows, you can try using artificial light, such as a fluorescent tube. This will provide your Anthurium with the light it needs to grow.

2 – Use the Right Soil Mixture

Anthuriums need loose, light soil for potting. The ideal potting mix should contain materials that easily drain water.

This is to emulate the environment in which these plants grow and thrive.

There are a lot of materials that you can use for this. Coarse sand, perlite, coconut husk, and wood chips are some examples of what gardeners mix with their potting soil.

If you have other aerial plants, like an orchid, you can use the same potting soil you used for it.

3 – Repot a Root Bound Anthurium

You should make sure that your Anthurium’s container is big enough to cater to its maturation. It’s also recommended that you replace its pot every couple of years to restart its life cycle.

Now, if you think your Anthurium has already outgrown its pot, you should probably transfer it to a larger container.

Here’s how to repot your Anthurium:

  1. One day before repotting, water your Anthurium to loosen its roots and soil.
  2. Once that’s done, gently take your Anthurium out of its current pot.
  3. Avoid pulling on the plant’s stem to avoid hurting it.
  4. Take out your new pot and put some mixed soil inside as a base.
  5. Place your Anthurium upright inside the container, then start filling the pot with soil.
  6. Make sure that you secure it by filling every gap and space in the pot with soil.

Take note, though, that your new pot should be at least 1 to 2 inches larger than the previous container, and it should have better draining holes.

You should prepare your potting soil before repotting, as well. Don’t forget what we’ve discussed earlier and add draining materials to your soil, like pebbles, perlite, or peat moss.

4 – Use Fertilizers

Anthuriums don’t need fertilizer as much as other flowers. It’s one of the reasons why they’re so convenient as indoor plants.

However, it doesn’t mean that they can survive in any condition that’s far from their natural habitat. They still need the right humidity, light, and temperature.

For that reason, if your Anthurium is showing signs of undernourishment, you should consider fertilizing it.

Here are some important points to remember when fertilizing your Anthurium:

  • The first thing to remember is to always use liquid fertilizers for Anthuriums.
  • Choose fertilizers that are rich in phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium to boost the plant’s growth.
  • Always dilute the fertilizer by using a mixture of 3/4 water and 1/4 fertilizer.
  • Use bottle spray when feeding your Anthurium with fertilizers.
  • This way you can control the amount and avoid root burning.
  • If the plant is showing severe signs of undernourishment, fertilize it weekly.

Final Thoughts

An Anthurium not growing will surely take away from the pleasure of your home gardening. You need to remember, however, that each plant is unique when it comes to its needs.

Provide your Anthurium with enough sunlight, temperature, fertilizer, good potting soil, and repot it when necessary. These plant-care tricks should bring it right back to life!

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