The anthurium or flamingo flower is an uncomplicated and grateful houseplant: properly cared for, it will pamper you with its attractive flowers all year round. However, sometimes the flower shows clear signs of illness. Why is this and how can you save it?
How do I save my ailing anthurium?
To save a sick anthurium, remove rotten roots and leaves, plant it in fresh substrate and pay attention to correct watering and fertilizing practices, the ideal location and the use of low-lime water. In the event of a pest infestation, control measures must be taken.
Why do the leaves of the anthurium turn brown?
You have to act particularly quickly if you want to save an anthurium that has been watered too much. Although the arum plant, which is native to the tropical rainforest, needs high humidity, it absolutely cannot tolerate waterlogging. This occurs when excess irrigation water cannot drain away or the potting soil is permanently too moist.
As a result, the roots rot so that nutrients and water can no longer be transported to the above-ground parts of the plant. Paradoxically, an anthurium that suffers from waterlogging and root rot dries out, which you can see by the brown-colored leaves.
How to save the anthurium?
If you want to save an anthurium with waterlogging and root rot, you have to be quick - and have a lot of luck. In many cases - when the rot has already progressed too far - rescue is no longer possible. However, you can try and hope for the best.
And this is how you do it:
- Unpot the anthurium and carefully remove the soil
- cut away rotten roots
- remove diseased leaves and plant parts
- Place anthurium in a new pot and fresh substrate
- don’t forget the drainage layer
If possible, use a mixture of commercially available potting or houseplant soil (€13.00 on Amazon) with clay granules or orchid soil.
How often do you water an anthurium?
To keep the anthurium he althy, you should water it once a week in winter and twice a week in summer. Excess irrigation water should be able to drain away through holes in the bottom, but you must not leave the plant standing in this water. Always pour drained water out of the planter or saucer promptly.
In addition, you should not slavishly adhere to the watering rule mentioned above, it is just a guideline. Before watering, always do a finger test; the substrate should be dry on the surface and a few centimeters deep. In any case, it is much more important that you spray the anthurium regularly - once or twice a week - with low-lime water.
What to do if anthuriums are sick?
To save an ailing anthurium, you must first find out the exact cause. In addition to waterlogging, there are numerous reasons why houseplants are not doing so well. These can be, for example:
- incorrect fertilization: too little fertilizer or over-fertilization
- location too shady or too bright
- (strong) calcareous irrigation water (e.g. when watering with tap water)
- Pest Infestation
Now try to eliminate the cause of the illness. If the disease is not too advanced, the plant should still be able to be saved.
Tip
How old can an anthurium grow?
Anthuriums are perennial plants that, if cared for well, live on average between seven and ten years.
