Tropical by tub
Anthuriums love heat and humidity – so buy one to brighten up your bathroom, writes David Overend.
It may look like a fake but anthurium is definitely a living, breathing plant. In certain countries, where the sun shines and the temperature never falls anywhere near freezing, it is normally grown outdoors; in the UK, it is definitely a houseplant and it is one of the easiest to grow and care for.
Just follow a few easy-to-remember rules and anthuriums should flower for ever; or that’s the way it seems.
Anthuriums are tropical plants, and appreciate a decent temperature – they grow best in rooms where the air is between 70 and 90 degrees F and has at least 80 percent humidity. Stick it in a bathroom and it should do fine.
They grow best in bright, indirect light, rather than direct sunlight through a double-glazed window. Ensure that the soil is free-draining but still holds some moisture – a mixture of half potting soil and half orchid soil or perlite should be ideal.
Every year or two they will need to be repotted. Watch out for signs your plant has outgrown its current container – roots growing through the drainage holes or circling the surface of the potting mixture and poor leaf colour.
Like the majority of houseplants, the biggest threat to its health is its owner and his/her watering-can. Over-watering is a killer, so let the soil almost dry out between watering; once a week should be fine. If the plant’s leaves start to turn brown it’s a sign of incorrect watering and could indicate root rot. It sounds nasty, and it is.
Anthuriums may need pruning occasionally. Begin by removing any brown or yellow leaves. If they don’t come away easily, you can trim them off with your secateurs.
The best way to remove faded flowers is to snip off their stem at the base of the plant. This keeps the plant from investing its energy in seed production instead of a new flower.
Then take a look at the plant as a whole. Remove any leaves that deviate from the natural shape of the plant. These are the ones that are too tall or growing off at an odd angle. Just be careful not to remove too many leaves: keep at least four of them attached to the plant.