How to Grow Anthurium in Water? A Guide to the Growing Method

Anthurium is a perennial evergreen herbaceous flower. Both its flowers and leaves are beautiful, its flower form is unique, and its blooming period is long-lasting. It can be grown either in water or in soil, with soil culture being more common and water culture less so. Here we introduce the growing method for water-cultured anthurium.

I. Introduction to Anthurium

1. Where does anthurium originate?

Anthurium originates from the moist, semi-shaded valley areas of tropical rainforests in Costa Rica, Colombia and other places. It often grows as an epiphyte on trees, and sometimes on rocks or directly on the ground. It is widely cultivated in Europe, Asia and Africa.

2. Is anthurium toxic?

Anthurium is toxic. The toxicity mainly comes from the sap in the flowers and the roots and leaves, but the toxicity is not very strong. If you accidentally touch the sap of the anthurium, or accidentally eat it, you will be poisoned as a result. Be careful not to eat it or touch its sap, so as to avoid poisoning symptoms.

II. Introduction to the Growing Method for Water-Cultured Anthurium

1. Prepare a flowerpot

To grow anthurium in water, you first need to prepare a flowerpot. Unlike soil culture, the pot must not be one that leaks water. A semi-transparent one is better. The size can be determined by the size of the plant or by your own preference, but it definitely must not be too small, lest the roots cannot spread out. You can use a larger one, and later you can keep small fish in the water; the plant and the fish benefit each other, and together they form a nice scene.

2. Remove from soil

Dig the anthurium out of the potted soil, cut off rotten roots, fibrous roots and old leaves, wash it clean with clear water, put it in a potassium permanganate solution to disinfect, then rinse it once more with clear water; place it in the flowerpot. If the pot is transparent, cover the outside of the pot with a black plastic bag to prevent strong light, and also cover the plant with a transparent convenient bag to keep it warm and moist; place the whole flowerpot in a spot with scattered light and keep the temperature above 10 degrees.

3. Acclimation and adaptation

Turning a soil-cultured anthurium into a water-cultured one requires acclimation, so that after it grows new roots in water, it is then placed in water for water culture. During the acclimation period, change the water frequently: for the first half month, once every 3 days; for the second half month, once a week. Each time you change the water, add nutrient solution once. After one month, the anthurium will have grown new roots, and the newly grown roots will be relatively adapted to the aquatic environment.

4. Potting up for water culture

A semi-transparent flowerpot is better. Put the acclimated anthurium roots into a water-culture basket; river stones or clay pellets can be placed in the basket to fix the plant's position. Add water to the flowerpot until it is half or 2/3 full.

5. Daily care

(1) Temperature: Anthurium likes a warm environment. The suitable daytime temperature for growth is 26-32°C, and the nighttime temperature is 21-32°C. The highest temperature it can endure is 35°C, and the lowest it can endure is 14°C. Keep the water temperature at around 15°C (including the nutrient solution used for watering).

(2) Light: Anthurium likes a semi-shaded environment and fears strong light and sun exposure. The light must not be too little, lest the plant grow poorly, and the light must not be too strong, lest it cause leaf discoloration, scorching or withered tips. If it is in a greenhouse, it can be regulated with a movable shade net.

(3) Humidity: Anthurium likes a relatively humid environment. It is best to keep the humidity at 70%—80% (at a temperature of 20—28°C). If the temperature reaches above 28°C, spray water on the leaves frequently. If the temperature is below 20°C, just maintain the indoor natural environment.

(4) Changing the water: Change the water according to the actual situation; for example, when there are many impurities in the water, it should be changed. In the first half month, change the water once every three days, and after that once a week. Changing half of the water is enough, and at most do not exceed two-thirds.

(5) Nutrition: You can apply nutrient solution along with changing the water. After each water change, just add two drops of nutrient solution to it. Do not add too much, lest it cause eutrophication of the water; the microorganisms in the water will multiply faster, the oxygen content of the water will drop sharply, and this is not good for plant growth.

The above is an introduction to the growing method for water-cultured anthurium. We hope it is useful to everyone.