When I started growing anthurium plant in my living lounge five years ago, I found it challenging to maintain their green foliage. I encountered yellowing leaves issues several times in a year.
It was through costly trials and errors until I figured out the ideal condition for growing anthurium plant in the house. Do not freak out when your anthurium leaves start turning yellow.
So, why are my anthurium leaves turning yellow? The possible causes are overwatering, insufficient fertilizer, low humidity, temperature stress, excess sunlight, and poor soil quality.
The best solution is to identify the source of the issue and restore your anthurium houseplant to perfect health. The process of fixing the problem is super easy and inexpensive.
This article will help you identify the possible reasons for anthurium leaves turning yellow and techniques on how to create a conducive environment for growing the houseplant.
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Causes of Anthurium Leaves Turning Yellow
Below are the possible causes of anthurium leaves turning yellow:
Overwatering Stress
Anthurium houseplant thrives in soil with moderate moisture content. The gardener needs to ensure the soil is moist and not wet. Attentive monitoring of soil conditions and watering is crucial.
Overwatering is the main cause of Anthurium crystallinum yellow leaves. Excess water in the pot soil results in root rot and this usually hinders the absorption of water and mineral ions.
The houseplant will begin experiencing yellow leaves with faded flowers and bract. The condition happens due to insufficient water and mineral intake by the plant roots.
Ensure the potting soil for the anthurium plant growing indoors is not dry. Inspect the soil moisture content before watering the plant.
I recommend pressing your index figure in the potting up to two inches. Water the potting lightly to avoid sogginess and water pool.
Soggy soil with standing water is responsible for root rot. Watering indoor plants can be tricky for some gardeners. The rule of thumb is to check the soil moisture content level first.
Improper Humidity Level
The native tropical habitat of the anthurium plant has a high humidity level. It implies that this tropical plant flourishes in an environment with high humidity.
But the indoor humidity level usually varies due to dynamics in weather conditions. Besides that, maintaining a high humidity level in the house can be tricky to some extent.
If your anthurium leaves start turning yellow despite following a strict watering routine, it could be due to a low humidity level.
The indoor environment is characterized by low humidity and this is not ideal for growing anthurium houseplants. The issue becomes worse during winter weather conditions.
The best option is to move the houseplant into the bathroom to experience the high humidity. The solution helps to restore plant health.
You can also consider misting the plant or installing a humidifier in the house. These two techniques are effective in increasing humidity levels.
Lack of Essential Nutrients
Anthurium plants need moderate fertilizer application. The nutrients from the fertilizer help to improve the general health of the plant.
A healthy anthurium plant has green foliage with beautiful flowers. We recommend using water-soluble fertilizer and apply once per month.
If you notice your anthurium leaves yellowing and flowers fading, it could be due to insufficient phosphorus nutrients in the potting mix.
Remember to follow the instruction on the fertilizer package label before using it. I recommend using a quarter of the fertilizer since indoor plants need less fertilizer.
Excess fertilizer will cause another serious problem to your plant. It may result in a buildup of toxic nutrients that inhibit water absorption and cause wilting.
If you accidentally apply too much fertilizer, flush the soil with plenty of distilled water. Leave the plant without feeding it with fertilizer for over some months.
Poor Soil Quality
Anthurium plants prefer soil that is highly aerated. The aeration enables the plant roots to function properly and prevent issues related to the yellowing of leaves.
Poor soil quality has poor aeration and this increases the chance of root rot. The root system damage will automatically cause anthurium leaves to turn yellow or brown.
Growing the houseplant in poor soil quality will encourage water pool and sogginess. The issue happens due to poor soil drainage and aeration.
I recommend repotting the plant once you notice the yellowing of the leaves. A fresh potting mix that is slightly acidic and highly aerated creates an ideal growing condition for the anthurium plant.
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Excess Exposure to Direct Sunlight
Many new gardeners believe that tropical plants prefer bright direct sunlight to flourish. But this may be applicable to some plants and not to others.
The natural habitat of the anthurium plant is in the tropical forest. These plants thrive under the canopy by receiving bright indirect sunlight.
If you notice the anthurium leaves turning yellow, inspect the intensity and amount of sunlight it is receiving. Excess exposure to direct sunlight results in yellowing and browning of leaves.
Change the location of the anthurium plant and move it to another place. Ensure the place of choice receives bright indirect sunlight.
Keep in mind that low sunlight will make the plant to develop dark green foliage. This tropical plant will find it challenging to bloom in the long run due to low light.
Temperature Stress
Anthurium houseplants prefer a temperature range of 70-85°F (21-29°C). The condition allows the tropical plant to produce stunning foliage and flowers.
Extremely low temperature makes the houseplant experience chlorosis in the leaves. The condition reduces the green pigment and promote anthurium leaves splitting.
The optimum environmental temperature for growing anthurium plant is 61°F (16°C). The condition encourages proper growth and flower production.
Indoor temperature is susceptible to fluctuation and this might ruin the growth rate of the plant. Keep the houseplant away from the cold air conditioning vents and hot radiators.
Overfertilization
Both new and experienced gardeners think most houseplant need a lot of fertilizer. Well, it usually depends on the type of the houseplant.
But most houseplants need moderate nutrients and it is the reason why fertilizer is applied once a month. Too much fertilizer will result in toxic buildup around the roots.
Roots become unable to absorb water and other essential nutrients. Anthurium leaves will begin turning yellow due to damaged root systems.
The issue will also result in anthurium leaves turning brown. Always note that houseplants need less fertilizer when compare to outdoor plants.
Spider Mites Infestation
Anthurium plant is highly susceptible to insect infestations. The spider mites are the most common insects that love infesting the houseplant.
These insects are usually white and usually hover on the stems and leaves. Spider mites suck the cell sap from the leaves by piercing them.
The anthurium leaves develop several tiny brown spots after healing. The sucking denies the leaves the required nutrients to foster their flourishing.
The best option is to apply insecticidal soap around the stems and leaves to help kill the spider mites. Remember to apply the solution twice a week until all the insects are gone.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why Are My Anthurium Flowers Turning Brown?
The possible causes are diseases, direct sunlight exposure, and overfertilization. Identifying the cause of the problem makes it easier to fix.
Why Are My Anthurium Leaves Curling?
The main cause of anthurium leaves curling is pest infestations. These insects invade the leaves and suck the cell sap to curling the issue. Other causes are underwatering and direct sunlight exposure.
Why Is My Anthurium Spadix Turning Brown?
It could be due to exposure to a temperature below 50 degrees F. Cool temperature is known for making spadix turn bluish, purple, and eventually dark brown.
Why Are My Anthurium Leaves Splitting?
The Anthurium plant is a true tropical plant. It thrives in an environment that receives bright indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight exposure usually scorches the leaves and also causes splitting.
Do Anthuriums Like to Be Misted?
Absolutely. Anthurium plants prefer high humidity. Low humidity levels result in wilting and drooping of the leaves. Misting helps to increase humidity levels and create an ideal growing condition.
In Conclusion
Anthurium houseplant is hardy and simple to grow. The indoor plant rarely experiences yellowing and browning of leaves when provided with a conducive growing environment.
But there are few instances when the anthurium leaves will turn yellow. The good news is that fixing the problem is a no-brainer.
Keep in mind that anthurium is a tropic plant. When grown indoors, ensure it receives less fertilizer and bright indirect sunlight to flourish the foliage.
More Sources and References
- Editor. Anthurium Houseplant Care. Clemson Cooperative Extension.
- Ricardo Marie. Anthurium Plant Anatomy. The University of Florence.
