Anthurium, generally known as ‘Flamingo Flower’, is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the Araceae family. They come under Zingiberales order and Arecales class.
It is native to southern Mexico down to northern South America. Though they originated in tropical wet forests, they can also be cultivated at home with ease in pots.
Anthuriums are easy to grow around the home, and many people find them a rewarding plant to care for, especially as they can last a long time with very little effort.
Repotting is an important phase in Anthurium’s life as it will have more room to grow and create healthy new flowers. In this article, we will discuss how to repot Anthurium.
Before we look at the process of repotting Anthurium, it is important to note that Anthurium has a special kind of root system, known as ‘pseudobulbs.’ These are thickened, fleshy structures that serve to store water.
They are characteristic of the Araceae family. When the plant is dormant in summer or autumn, you must provide dry conditions – don’t let it sit in a tray of moisture where the leaf blade has dropped off. This will cause rot in the pseudobulbs.
If you have a plant with many leaves and an abundant root system, it is time to repot Anthurium. The process is very simple, but certain details need close attention to move the plant from one pot to another successfully. Let’s discuss the steps of how to repot Anthurium.
A Garden Guide on How To Repot Anthurium
Anthuriums must be repotted every 2-3 years or as soon as they outgrow their existing container. It’s time to graduate your Anthurium to a new pot when it reaches 20 inches tall in a five-inch diameter container.
Step 1
The first thing you need to do before repotting is give the plant plenty of water. Fill a bucket with water and use it to wet the soil around your Anthurium thoroughly.
The soil must be wet before you uproot it. The rationale for this is that a moist root ball is much smoother to transplant, and it also makes it easier for the roots to deal with the trauma of being repotted.
This is better for the plant’s health. Remove any wilted flowers or leaves that have turned brown.
Step 2
Carefully remove the plant from its old pot without disturbing or damaging the roots using a trowel or your hands. A good way to remove plants that are potted in plastic is to gently squeeze the pot, moving upwards towards the plant simultaneously.
Step 3
New young plants can be repotted in a 7-cm pot without any medium. They are sensitive during this early stage of development, so you should water them once every week and keep them close to a window where they will receive ample sunlight.
Step 4
When the plant is more mature, with at least 3 pseudobulbs and a good root ball, it can be repotted into a larger pot that measures 15-cm in diameter. Use a well-draining soil mix when repotting Anthurium.
Peat moss is preferred as it holds water well but still allows for quick drainage. You can also add perlite or vermiculite in equal parts to increase the aeration of the medium you are using. Mix all these components thoroughly, so there is no buildup of compaction in your new pot after planting the Anthurium.
Step 5
After adding all the components together, gently loosen any compacted sections by hand before filling half the new pot with the components of your choice. Also, remember to fill it at least halfway, so you have enough room to plant Anthurium properly.
Step 6
Once you have everything ready, carefully remove the plant from its old pot using a trowel or your hands. Tap on the sides of the pot if you are having trouble removing the plant.
Gently brush off any loose media around the root ball and untangle any roots that are growing in circles – these conditions are caused when they get too crowded in their current container.
You can trim them back as well but let as much as 2/3rds remain if possible – these dead roots will rot eventually and improve drainage for newly planted Anthuriums.
Step 7
Use a sawing motion with your trowel to create a hole in the center of the medium. Take care not to damage any roots as you do this.
The root ball should be planted so that the top of the pseudobulbs is visible just below or at soil level. Fill the pot with more media and gently pat down around the roots until everything is evened out – you can use your hands for this job.
Step 8
Once all these steps have been completed, place Anthurium near a window where it will receive plenty of indirect sunlight and keep it well-watered throughout spring and summer; let dry slightly between watering during autumn and winter when its dormant season starts (don’t let the plant sit in water during this time).
Step 9
When you see new growth in spring, move your Anthurium back to a sunny position so it can grow and be healthy. Repot again in autumn or winter when the pseudobulbs are fully mature (usually after 2 years).
Step 10
Remember that Anthuriums flower on new growth, so if you see a flower stalk emerging from one of the pseudobulbs or leaves start to yellow and die, it is time to repot this plant.
When to Repot the Anthurium
It is time to repot your Anthurium if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Your plant’s leaves are starting to yellow and die.
- The roots are growing over the surface of the pot or spilling out of it. If they do, use a clean, sharp pair of scissors to cut them back, so they are only 2/3rds of their original size. Don’t remove too many at once because you risk damaging the root ball and leaving it unable to sustain itself.
- If the leaves on your plant start turning yellow or brown, if they curl or droop and hang downwards while still attached to the stem, promptly cut them off and stop watering for a few days to see if the plant recovers. If not, it may be time to repot your Anthurium.
>> Related Post: How To Propagate Anthurium – 3 Ways Step-By-Step Guide
Final Remarks
To maintain your Anthuriums healthy and thriving, you should repot or transplant them every 2-3 years. It will need to be repotted if it becomes root-bound.
It’s simple to repot your Anthurium, and even the most inexperienced gardener can do it. Moisten the present Anthurium thoroughly before repotting and using the same potting soil for the best results. Now that you know the steps on how to repot Anthurium, you can go ahead and get started.
Another main reason people repot Anthuriums is to introduce a new plant into the household. When dealing with Anthurium repotting, use a well-draining medium that is not too soggy or dried out to ensure fast-growing plants for your home.
Keep the plant moist but not too wet and repot once a year to fresh compost. Keep the plant warm and moist and avoid low humidity, especially during the winter months when its dormant period starts. Also, avoid overwatering your Anthurium because it is susceptible to root rot.