Anthurium Growing Guide

Our Conditions and Care, Explained

We frequently receive questions about how to care for anthuriums, so we created this guide to share how we grow healthy plants here at B.B. Tropicals, all in one convenient spot. The information is organized into sections, each covering our approach to lighting, fertilizer, temperature, and humidity, helping growers better understand the conditions that support strong, healthy plants. 


Lighting:

Our lighting strategy falls at the lower end of the recommended spectrum for Anthurium cultivation, using full spectrum LED grow lights.

  • For seedlings, we typically maintain levels between 130 and 160 foot-candles, which supports vibrant coloration while still allowing rapid growth.
  • Mother plants receive lighting within a range of 175 to 275 foot-candles;
  • The exact intensity is tailored to each species or plant. For instance, we like our Dressleri to receive less light compared to our Papillilaminum. All lights operate for approximately 12 hours per day.

Substrate/Growing Medium:

We use different substrates depending on plant stage.

  • Sprouts and seedlings are grown in a mix of tree fern fiber and perlite, which provides excellent aeration and moisture balance for developing roots.
  • Our mother plants are grown in Lechuza Pon, a semi-hydroponic mineral substrate composed of pumice, lava rocks, and zeolite. Pon does not break down over time, allowing for consistent root conditions and long term plant stability. 

Fertilizer/Nutrients:

We strongly recommend using reverse osmosis (RO) or distilled water,
particularly for semi-hydroponic cultivation. Below is a list of products we utilize. While a simplified approach may be suitable for some, this regimen reflects our current practice. 

All measurements indicated are per gallon of water. It is advisable to avoid introducing the various substances present in tap water into your reservoirs, as excessive mineral accumulation and chlorine can inhibit beneficial bacteria and cause other complications.

Since we grow using a semi-hydroponic method exclusively, all of our recommendations are specifically designed for this approach. While Anthurium can be cultivated in various ways and we can offer general guidance for most methods, growers using soil or alternative media may benefit from guidance tailored to their preferred growing style.

  • 0.5 mL of Silica: We use Power SI Silica, and we have had good results using a minimal amount of product. Silica helps to strengthen plant cell walls, which leads to sturdier stems, thicker leaves, and better resistance to stress, pests, and disease. 
  • 4 mL of Cal-Mag: We use Calimagic from General Hydroponics. Both Calcium and Magnesium are extremely important for Anthurium. Shake, then wait 15 minutes. Skipping this step may cause Calcium and Magnesium to bind with the other nutrients, leading to lockout.
  • .5 Teaspoon of Peter’s Excel: This is our main fertilizer, we really like how water soluble it is, and our results since switching to it have been outstanding.
  • 2 mL of Diamond Nectar: This is essentially just humic acid; it helps the plants with nutrient uptake.
  • Final Step: PH Balancing, plants can only absorb certain nutrients in certain PH ranges, for Anthurium the ideal range is typically between 5.5-6.5. We use General Hydroponics PH Up and PH Down to get in this range.

 

Temperature and Humidity:

Anthurium are a very large and diverse spectrum of plants, and some species prefer different conditions than others. We try and shoot for a good middle range that allows the vast majority to be happy.

  • Daytime Temperature: 76-78 f
  • Nighttime Temperature: 66-68 f
  • Humidity: 89% Humidity is our target for all of our tents.

Anthurium may be cultivated under a range of conditions; however, optimal growth and
robust flowering (necessary for seed production), are best achieved when plants are kept within ideal environmental parameters. Certain species and hybrids demonstrate greater tolerance to reduced humidity levels than others. Therefore, for those cultivating Anthurium in low-humidity settings, it is advisable to make informed selections to ensure superior plant health and development.