Although anthuriums are tropical plants, they usually only need to be watered once every 1–2 weeks. This can vary greatly though, depending on the environment, time of year, and climate. In warm, dry settings, they may need to be watered as often as once every 2–3 days. In cooler climates, especially in the winter, they may only need to be watered every 2 weeks. Although resilient, anthurium plants are adept at letting you know when they need more or less water.
How Do You Know if Your Anthurium Needs Water?
The best way to determine whether your anthurium needs water is by examining the soil. The best way to do this is by administering a “finger test.” Simply put, this means sticking your finger 1–2 inches (2.5– 5 cm) deep into the anthurium’s soil. If the soil is dry, the plant should be watered. If the soil is wet or damp, you should hold off on watering until it has a chance to completely dry out.
- The easiest way to know if your anthurium needs water is by checking the soil. There are two ways to do this.
- First, you can push your finger 1–2 inches (3.5–5 cm) into the soil. If the soil you touch is dry, the plant should be watered. If it’s damp or wet, don’t water it.
- Second, you can pull out some soil from 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the surface. If you can roll it into a ball, it doesn’t need to be watered. If it’s dry and won’t form a ball, water it.
Another variation on this test is to squeeze the soil. This means that you reach 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the surface and pull out some soil. If you can roll it into a ball between your fingers, the anthurium doesn’t need water. If the soil is dusty and unable to form a ball, the plant should be watered.
How Do You Water an Anthurium Plant?
There are two main ways to water an anthurium plant. The first method is traditional top watering. To do this, simply use a watering can or cup to pour water onto the soil from the top. Pour until water comes out of the drainage holes on the bottom of the pot. Allow it to drain for about 15 minutes after watering.
- There are two ways you can water an anthurium plant.
- The first is top watering.
- To top water, use a watering can or cup to pour water onto the soil until it comes through the drainage holes on the bottom of the pot.
- Allow the plant to drain for about 15 minutes after top watering.
- The second method is bottom watering.
- To bottom water, fill a shallow tray with ½ – ¾ inches (1–2 cm) of water.
- Place the planter in the water. (Be sure it has drainage holes on the bottom.)
- Allow the plant to sit in the water for 15-20 minutes.
The second method is bottom watering. This requires a little more preparation but may allow your anthurium’s roots to use the water more efficiently. To do this, fill a tray or shallow container with ½ – ¾ inches (1–2 cm) of water. Place the planter into the water. (Be sure there are drainage holes on the bottom of the pot.) Leave the plant in the pool of water for about 15-20 minutes before removing.
Do Anthuriums Like to Stay Moist?
Anthuriums do not like to be in constantly moist soil. In fact, their roots can be prone to root rot if left to sit in damp soil or standing water. It’s best to allow the soil your anthurium is planted in to dry out completely between waterings.
- Anthuriums do not like to stay in moist soil.
- If left in damp soil or standing water, anthuriums can develop root rot.
- Allow soil to dry completely between waterings.
- Anthuriums do enjoy a humid environment, so it’s okay to mist their leaves and flowers.
However, anthuriums do enjoy a humid environment, so it’s a good idea to use a spray bottle to mist the flowers and leaves every 2–3 days. This will help keep your anthurium in good health between waterings.
Should You Mist Your Anthurium?
Anthuriums are tropical plants, which means they are used to a humid environment. Most households do not have a humidity level that is high enough to provide ideal growing conditions for anthurium plants. For this reason, it’s a good idea to regularly mist your anthurium.
- You should mist your anthurium once every 2–3 days.
- Use this spray bottle filled with room temperature water to lightly spray the leaves and flowers.
- Anthurium plants are tropical, so they thrive in humidity. Misting simulates a humid environment.
- Most home environments aren’t humid enough to provide ideal growing conditions.
Using a spray bottle with room temperature water, you can lightly mist your anthurium’s leaves and flowers once every 2–3 days. This will give your anthurium a health boost and help leaves and flowers last longer.
What Does an Overwatered Anthurium Look Like?
An overwatered anthurium will give you a few signs that it’s in distress. If the leaves start to droop or wilt, it may be overwatered. Flowers that start to turn yellow and limp are also an indication of overwatering.
- Drooping or wilting leaves are a sign of overwatering.
- If an anthurium is overwatered, its flowers may become limp and start to turn yellow.
- Brown leaf tips are another sign your anthurium is overwatered.
- A plant whose growth drastically slows or stops may be overwatered.
Additional signs of overwatering include leaf tips that are turning brown, and a plant whose growth has drastically slowed or stopped. If your plant is suffering from these symptoms, allow the soil to dry completely before watering again. Rethink your watering schedule. Your anthurium may grow best if you wait up to 2 weeks between waterings.
When to Water Your Anthurium
Most anthuriums should be watered once every 1–2 weeks. In warmer, drier climates, they may need to be watered as often as every 2–3 days. In cooler areas, they can be watered less frequently. If an anthurium’s soil is dry 1 inch (2.5 cm) below the surface, it should be watered. If the soil is moist and can be easily rolled into a ball, you should wait to water the plant until the soil has had a chance to completely dry out.
