When I started growing Anthurium plants in my living room five years ago, I found it difficult to keep their foliage green. I have had issues with leaf yellowing several times a year.
It was through costly trial and error that I discovered the ideal conditions for growing Anthurium in my home. Don’t worry if your anthurium leaf starts to turn yellow.
So why are my Anthurium leaves turning yellow? Possible causes are too much water, insufficient fertilization, low humidity, heat stress, too much sun and poor soil quality.
The best solution is to identify the cause of the problem and make your Anthurium houseplant perfectly healthy. The troubleshooting process is super simple and inexpensive.
This article will help you identify possible reasons for yellowing anthurium leaves and techniques for creating a favorable environment for growing the houseplant.
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anthurium plantContents
Causes of yellowing anthurium leaves
Here are the possible causes of yellowing Anthurium leaves:
stress too much water
The Anthurium houseplant thrives in soil with a moderate moisture content. The gardener should ensure that the soil is moist, not wet. Careful monitoring of soil and irrigation conditions is crucial.
Excessive irrigation is the main cause of yellowing Anthurium crystallinum leaves. Too much water in the potting mix leads to root rot, which generally makes it difficult for water and mineral ions to be absorbed.
The houseplant will start to have yellow leaves with faded blooms and husks. The condition occurs as a result of insufficient uptake of water and minerals by plant roots.
Make sure the potting mix for the anthurium plant growing indoors is not dry. Check the moisture level of the soil before watering the plant.
I recommend pressing your index number up to two inches into the jar. Water the pot lightly to prevent it from getting soggy and puddles forming.
Soil soaked in standing water is responsible for root rot. Watering houseplants can be tricky for some gardeners. The general rule is to check the moisture level of the soil first.
Wrong level of humidity
The native tropical habitat of the anthurium is very humid. This implies that this tropical plant thrives in an environment with high humidity.
But the indoor humidity usually varies due to the dynamics of weather conditions. Also, maintaining a high level of humidity in the house can be difficult to some extent.
If your anthurium leaves are starting to turn yellow despite a strict watering routine, it may be due to low humidity.
The indoor climate is characterized by low humidity and this is not ideal for growing Anthurium houseplants. The problem worsens during winter weather conditions.
The best option is to move the houseplant to the bathroom to experience the high humidity. The solution helps restore plant health.
You can also consider misting the plant or installing a humidifier in the house. Both of these techniques are effective in increasing humidity.
Lack of essential nutrients.
Anthurium plants need moderate fertilization. The nutrients in the fertilizer help improve the overall health of the plant.
A healthy Anthurium plant has green leaves with beautiful flowers. We recommend using a water soluble fertilizer and applying once a month.
If you notice your Anthurium leaves turning yellow and flowers fading, it may be due to insufficient phosphorus nutrition in the potting mix.
Remember to follow the instructions on the fertilizer package label before using it. I recommend using a quarter of the fertilizer because houseplants need less fertilizer.
Over-fertilizing will cause another serious problem for your plant. This can lead to a buildup of toxic nutrients that inhibit water uptake and cause wilting.
If you accidentally apply too much fertilizer, flush the soil with plenty of distilled water. Let the plant rest for several months without feeding it fertilizer.
poor soil quality
Anthurium plants prefer very airy soil. Aeration allows plant roots to function properly and prevents leaf yellowing problems.
Poor quality soil has poor aeration, which increases the risk of root rot. Due to damage to the root system, anthurium leaves automatically turn yellow or brown.
Growing the houseplant in poor quality soil will encourage pooling and waterlogging. The problem occurs due to lack of soil aeration and drainage.
I recommend repotting the plant as soon as you notice the leaves turning yellow. A fresh, slightly acidic and very airy soil creates an ideal growth condition for the Anthurium plant.
You can also read: How to take care of Anthurium Clarinervium?
Excessive exposure to direct sunlight.
Many new gardeners believe that tropical plants prefer direct sunlight to thrive. But this may apply to some plants and not to others.
The natural habitat of the anthurium plant is in the rainforest. These plants thrive under the canopy receiving direct and indirect sunlight.
If you notice anthurium leaves turning yellow, check the intensity and amount of sunlight they receive. Excessive exposure to direct sunlight causes leaves to yellow and darken.
Change the location of the anthurium plant and move it to another location. Make sure your chosen location receives direct, indirect sunlight.
Keep in mind that in low sunlight the plant will have dark green leaves. This tropical plant will struggle to flower long term due to low light.
thermal stress
Anthurium houseplants prefer a temperature range of 70 to 85°F (21 to 29°C). The condition allows the tropical plant to produce beautiful leaves and flowers.
The extremely low temperature causes chlorosis of the leaves of the houseplant. The condition reduces green pigment and promotes splitting of Anthurium leaves.
The optimum room temperature for growing Anthurium plants is 61°F (16°C). The condition encourages good growth and flower production.
The indoor temperature is prone to fluctuation and this can ruin the growth rate of the plant. Keep the houseplant away from cold air vents and hot radiators.
on fertilization
Both new and experienced gardeners believe that most houseplants need a lot of fertilizer. Well, it mainly depends on the type of houseplant.
But most indoor plants need moderate nutrients and that is why they are given fertilizer once a month. Too much fertilizer will cause toxic buildup around the roots.
Roots cannot absorb water and other essential nutrients. Anthurium leaves begin to turn yellow due to damaged root system.
The problem will also cause anthurium leaves to turn brown. Always keep in mind that indoor plants require less fertilizer than outdoor plants.
mite infestation
The Anthurium plant is very susceptible to insect pests. Mites are the most common insects that like to infest the houseplant.
These insects are usually white in color and often hover above stems and leaves. Mites suck sap from leaf cells by piercing them.
Anthurium leaves develop small brown spots after drying. The suction deprives the leaves of the nutrients they need to promote flowering.
The best option is to apply an insecticidal soap around the stems and leaves to kill the mites. Remember to apply the solution twice a week until all the bugs are gone.
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frequently asked Questions
Why are my Anthurium flowers turning brown?
Possible causes are disease, direct sun exposure and over-fertilization. Identifying the cause of the problem makes it easier to solve.
Why are my Anthurium leaves curling?
Pests are the main cause of Anthurium leaf curl. These insects invade the leaves and suck the sap from the cells to curdle the problem. Other causes include underwater exposure and direct sunlight.
Why is my Anthurium Spadix turning brown?
This could be due to exposure to temperature below 50 degrees F. Cold temperature has been known to turn the vial bluish, purple, and possibly dark brown.
Why Are My Anthurium Leaves Splitting?
The Anthurium plant is a true tropical plant. It thrives in an environment that receives indirect sunlight. Exposure to direct sunlight usually burns the leaves and also causes them to split.
Do anthuriums like being misted?
Absolute. Anthurium plants love high humidity. Low humidity leads to wilting and drooping leaves. Misting helps increase humidity and creates ideal growing conditions.
Ultimately
The Anthurium houseplant is hardy and easy to grow. The houseplant rarely experiences yellowing and darkening of the leaves when given a favorable growing environment.
But there are very few cases when anthurium leaves turn yellow. The good news is that solving the problem is a no-brainer.
Attention, the anthurium is a tropical plant. If you grow it indoors, make sure it gets less fertilizer and indirect direct sunlight to help the foliage flourish.
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