Anthuriums are wonderful houseplants that will reward you with color and lushness when provided the proper conditions. Anthuriums are native to Central and South America, where they grow on the rainforest floor or epiphytically on trees. Their native habitat is warm and humid and has filtered, indirect light.
When growing Anthurium as a houseplant, try to mimic these sunlight conditions by providing bright but indirect sunlight. Too much direct sunlight will be harmful to the plant and can scorch the foliage. Too little light can cause stunted growth and the plant may not bloom. Providing your Anthurium with proper sunlight will allow the plant to produce healthy foliage and blooms.
Best Rooms To Grow Anthurium
You may have noticed that different rooms in your home have different sunlight conditions. One room may have bright, full sun for most of the day, while another may be dim and dark. The level of light in a given room is connected to how your home is situated. South-facing rooms provide bright, all-day light, whereas north-facing rooms are darker with most of the light coming in indirectly. East-facing windows typically receive direct sunlight in the morning and indirect sunlight for the rest of the day. A west-facing window has fairly bright sunlight most of the day with a little more intensity in the afternoon.
Anthuriums prefer bright, indirect light for at least six hours a day. East- and west-facing windows are the best rooms to place your Anthurium. It is important that your Anthurium is not in direct sunlight or its leaves may burn. You can use a curtain to filter the light or position the plant a little farther from a bright window.
Take some time to observe the patterns of light in your home prior to bringing a new plant home. It can take some trial and error to find the best spot for your new Anthurium plant. Once you have chosen a spot for your Anthurium, monitor and observe its health for the next few weeks. If the plant looks happy and healthy, the sunlight exposure is likely just right. If the plant appears dull and is not pushing out any new growth, or if the plant looks scorched and burnt, you may need to adjust the sunlight conditions. Also keep in mind that sunlight patterns change seasonally. Monitor the health and location of your Anthurium plant throughout the year.
Providing Supplemental Sunlight To Anthurium
Artificial or grow lights can be used to provide supplemental light if there is not enough natural light. Another method for supplementing light is to add mirrors to amplify the existing natural light. Anthuriums can be grown with artificial light in the event of inadequate natural light. You can use a grow light with full-spectrum light placed about a foot away from your Anthurium to provide supplemental light. Make sure you do not place the plant too close to the grow light, so that you do not burn the foliage or dry out the plant. Use the grow light for 6-10 hours a day. You can utilize a timer connected to the supplemental light to automate the daily usage. Monitor your Anthurium closely, watching for any signs of stress and adjust the lighting accordingly.
Sunlight Needed For Growing Anthurium Outdoors
Given the correct climate and light conditions, Anthurium can grow well outdoors. They are native to tropical climates, so they like warm and humid temperatures with bright indirect light. Do not plant your Anthurium in full sunlight or the foliage will burn. Plant it in a location that receives filtered light for 6-10 hours a day. Be sure to acclimate your Anthurium if you are moving it from indoors to outdoors. Gradually give the plant more light so that you don’t shock and burn the plant. Anthurium can grow outdoors in zones 10 and warmer year round.
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Author Katie Endicott - Published 11-28-2023 |