The Number One Reason Your Anthurium Keeps Dying (And How To Fix It)

Tropical plant lovers are some of the most determined people on the planet, willing to undergo much trial and error as they nurture exotic blooms in everyday conditions. Houseplants belonging to the genus Anthurium, for example, awe growers with their unique waxy and shiny appearance, but present a long list of care requirements in return. They're also susceptible to a number of ailments that stem from various causes, including poor cultural practices. Of these, overwatering is the number one reason an anthurium may keep dying, since it leads to fungal rot and bacterial blight, which affect the plant's roots and leaves.

Part of properly caring for your anthurium involves making its soil damp, but not letting it become waterlogged. When the soil is saturated with water, it becomes a breeding ground for two types of conditions that can be fatal: bacterial invaders like Xanthomonas blight and fungi called Rhizoctonia. If bacteria is allowed to multiply in water, the infection can lead to wilting and death. The entire plant will need to be discarded if a bacterial infection becomes established and spreads. When anthuriums suffer from root rot, the fungus weakens the roots and the lower part of the plant's stems and can also spread to the leaves. This condition kills the plant, since the compromised roots are unable to absorb nutrients. To rescue an anthurium that's dying from conditions caused by overwatering, first assess the health of the plant and its roots. Depending on their condition, the plant may be salvaged with repotting. 

The steps for rescuing an overwatered anthurium vary depending on the exact cause of the illness. If some of the plant's leaves are yellowing or browning just at the edges, they may be affected by bacteria. Remove them to stop the pathogen from moving further down the plant and becoming established. 

The same symptoms, along with a bad smell and stunted growth, can signal root rot; to see if this condition is to blame for the yellowing foliage, gently pull your anthurium out of its pot to get a look at its roots. If some of them look dark or mushy, you're dealing with root rot. Using sterilized cutting shears, snip off the parts of the root ball that are mushy, slimy, or smelly. Beware of roots oozing brown slime, which suggest a severe bacterial blight infection; discard the plant if you notice this condition. Otherwise, wash the trimmed roots under running water then place the plant in a new pot with good drainage holes. Cover the roots with a loose soil mix containing material like perlite and orchid bark. 

If the roots haven't rotted but the soil is soggy, press and hold sheets of paper towels on the root ball to absorb some of the excess moisture and prevent the plant's condition from worsening. Going forward, only water your anthuriums when the soil isn't moist to the touch. You'll want the top 2 inches of the soil to dry out before you add water again. Keeping the air around the plants circulating well should also help prevent further infections.

What if you're only watering your anthurium when necessary, but it's still dying? The next place to check is the bottom of its pot. It's possible something is getting in the way of drainage, and the plant's roots sit in water without your knowledge. In this case, especially if you notice signs of distress, change your indoor plant's soil and make sure that the container has sufficiently large drainage holes and that nothing is blocking them (this is why you shouldn't put rocks at the bottom of the pot or in the saucer). The potting medium should also be breathable rather than dense. 

There are also some climate-related reasons your anthuriums may be dying. These plants are adapted to the warmer climes of their native Caribbean, South, and Central American habitats and need to be kept at temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They can easily die if kept outside in the winter if the temperatures dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It's recommended to keep them away from drafty windows or air conditioners. Also, it's best to gauge the temperature of the water you use for the plant, letting it get to room temperature first.

Finally, some of anthurium's quirks might make it look like the plant is dying while really signalling an adverse environmental condition. For example, anthurium leaves crisp up if they have too much direct sunlight. If this happens, simply move the plant to a spot with indirect light or dappled shade.