Anthuriums have everything a plant parent could want. This genus has the most widely distributed, easily grown plants as well as some rare and expensive collectibles. Both its leaves and flowers are also indispensable. I especially love it because of its heart-shaped leaves and its gorgeous long, skinny stems. And I’ll tell you all about it and how to care for it in this episode of Proven Winners Mini Series.

 

In this episode, we learn:

• [02:17] Why I love Anthuriums!
• [02:55] Anthurium mental wellness note
• [03:56] High-level overview of the Anthurium genus!
• [06:56] Care #1: Watering your anthurium
• [07:21] Care #2: Light requirements for anthurium
• [08:07] Care #3: Humidity needs for anthurium
• [09:18] How to troubleshoot your anthurium problems
• [12:27] Take my Plant Parent Personality test!
• [12;46] Thank you, Proven Winners Leafjoy!
• [14:04] What are the different Anthurium varieties?
• [20:49] Which Anthurium variety suits your plant personality?

 

 

Order my book!

Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Don't forget to subscribe to the podcast,

so you don't miss the amazing episodes we have coming up!

 

 

 

The Anthurium Genus

Central and South America are the native home of anthuriums. That's immediately going to tell you that they like humidity and dappled light. They also have a very interesting anatomy. Their heart-shaped leaves have a part called the sinus at the top of the heart's indent. The colorful part of the flower that looks like a petal is actually called the spathe, while the long, skinny part in the middle is the spadix—that's where the actual tiny flowers are!

For the leaves of an anthurium, the most predominant vein that goes down the middle of the leaf is going to be called the midrib. Then there are the intricate veins, in which you can become completely lost and mesmerized.

 

Anthurium Care 101

Anthuriums aren’t very difficult to care for, but they sure have some preferences:

Water

You want the soil generally moist, but don't let it get soggy. Anthuriums don't like to dry out completely—that's when you'll see curled, droopy leaves.

Light

Anthuriums like bright, indirect light. They're understory plants in nature so too little light and they won't thrive; too much and you risk burning those leaves.

Humidity

These plants love humidity so aim for 60–70%, if you can. If you notice browning leaf edges, it's a sign to increase humidity, perhaps by using a humidifier or a glass cloche.

Soil

Anthuriums prefer well-draining, airy soil.

 

Troubleshooting Anthuriums

If your plant's leaves start to curl or droop, or if it looks generally unhealthy, check your watering routine, light, and humidity levels. Anthuriums can bounce back from stress with proper care.

I once brought back an anthurium to life that my friend Joey sent me. Before tossing the lifeless-looking plant, I decided to check the root structure. To my surprise, the roots were still healthy and plump. So I took a chance and kept the root ball moist, and after a couple of months of patient care, I was rewarded with three new leaves!

Anthurium Varieties to Try

There’s an anthurium variety for every type of plant parent out there.

• Anthurium andraeanum (Flamingo Plant) – this is perfect for urban farmer type of plant parent, especially if you're more interested in growing your own food. It’s colorful and is almost always in bloom. They're easy to take care of, and you could also harvest flowers for cut flower bouquets.

• Anthurium crystallinum – choose this type if you’re a curious collector. You can go for Anthurium Alexandrite, wherein its leaves transition from ruby red to emerald green, or the Anthurium Doriaki Silver, which is a gorgeous hybridized version of the Crystallinum that has thicker and more circular leaves with beautiful silver veining.

• Anthurium Heart's Desire (Silver Blush) – This is for mindful plant parents! I think you’re gonna love the experience of looking at its leaves, which look like little rib cages holding hearts.

• Anthurium clarinervium – it’s similar to Crystallinum but with darker, waxier leaves. It also looks a little bit more like a succulent.

• Bird's Nest Anthuriums – Such as Anthurium hookeri and Anthurium Tall Tale (Anthurium plowmanii), these grow into large, statement plants with rosette-style growth patterns. These can grow up to three feet tall with massive, dark green leaves.

• Anthurium brownii (“Follow Your Heart”) – this is perfect for low-maintenance plant parents and my favorite plant in my entire collection these days. It's got these enormous, foot-long leaves that look like Cupid's bow and it more drought tolerant than some of my other anthuriums.

 

Grateful for Anthuriums

I would love for you to use your Anthurium in a gratitude practice. Every time you see the heart-shaped leaf looking at you, take a moment to reflect on something or someone you're grateful for.

It can be as simple as having a roof over your head to keep you safe, or it can be about a person, a thing, or an opportunity—whatever you are thankful for.

 

What is Your Favorite Anthurium?

These are just a few varieties from Proven Winners leafjoy® I've been trying over the last couple of months that I wanted to tell you about, and I hope this guide was helpful.

 

Mentioned in our conversation:

• Dome Glass Cloche
• Glass Terrarium
• Grow Light
• Mini Watering Globe Set
• Arching Amour™ Alexandrite is Right™ (Crystallinum)
• Arching Amour™ Heart's Desire™
• Arching Amour™ Tall Tale™ (Bird's Nest Anthurium)
• Arching Amour™ Follow Your Heart™ (Brownii)
• Growing Joy Episode 92: Begonias with Marc from NYBG

 

 

 

Thank you to our episode sponsor:

Proven Winners

If you want an indoor anthurium jungle, you’ve got to have two things: the knowledge to care for them successfully and healthy plants. Meet my new favorite houseplant grower: Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. With only the best plant genetics grown in a state-of-the-art, European greenhouse, you will not be disappointed in the variety and quality of your favorite plants from Proven Winner’s leafjoy™. This company has taken the guesswork out of plant shopping with plant tags that include scientific names and care guides, as well as color-coded collections for the different areas of your home that you want plants in!

Find plant joy in leafjoy™. Head to provenwinners.com to find your local leafjoy™ dealer and let me know which plant you take home on socials!

 

 

Follow Maria and Growing Joy:

Order my book: Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness (and Plants) by Maria Failla, Illustrated by Samantha Leung

Join the Bloom and Grow Garden Party Community Platform & App AKA the plantiest and kindest corner of the internet! Get your FREE 2-week trial here!

Take the Plant Parent Personality Quiz (Get the perfect plants, projects and educational resources for YOUR Lifestyle)

Support Bloom and Grow Radio by becoming a Plant Friend on Patreon!

Instagram: @growingjoywithmaria

Tiktok: @growingjoywithmaria

Subscribe to the Growing Joy Youtube channel! /growingjoywithmaria

Website: www.growingjoywithmaria.com

Pinterest: @growingjoywithmaria