The Anthurium is an extremely popular and symbolic houseplant that, if cared for properly, can continue producing spectacular blooms throughout the majority of the year. An anthurium’s health and ability to produce flowers are dependent on several conditions, one of the most important being light conditions.
- How Much Light do Anthurium Plants Need?
- The Role Of Light In Plant Growth
- Anthurium Light Conditions in Their Natural Habitat
- Signs Your Anthurium Is Receiving Too Much Light
- Signs your Anthurium Isn’t Receiving Enough Light
- The Best Light Exposure for Anthurium Grown Indoors
- Anthurium Light Requirements FAQs:
- Wrapping Up
How Much Light do Anthurium Plants Need?
Anthuriums perform best in bright, indirect light. Too much light and the plant will become scorched and dehydrated. Too little light and an Anthurium will struggle to produce flowers and have thin, straggly leaves. The right amount of indirect light will ensure a healthy plant year-round.
Like all plants, Anthuriums grow best under conditions that closely resemble their natural conditions in the rainforests, where they are predominantly found. It’s vital, therefore, that you mimic these light conditions as far as possible within your home to ensure a plant blooms continuously, season after season.
The best lighting is bright, indirect light when growing an anthurium indoors. The plant should not receive large amounts of direct sunlight throughout the day, so an east-facing window would be ideal. Locating an Anthurium in a south-facing room six feet from a window will ensure enough indirect light without any direct sun.
The Role Of Light In Plant Growth
Light is one of the essential components for the health of almost every plant on the planet. Light allows plants to photosynthesize, allowing them to produce the nutrients they need to survive.
Some plants need more light than others, and some rely on other means to ensure they retain sufficient nutrients. Still, the light provides plants with the ability to create energy and therefore allows them to grow larger, remain healthy, and produce further leaves and flowers.
Without light, plants would not photosynthesize, meaning they would not survive.
Light Terminology Explained:
When it comes to plants, there are different light requirements, and therefore a set of terminology exists to differentiate between the other light conditions.
As the name suggests, Bright Direct Light implies the highest level of sun exposure. These plants thrive on sunlight, and so the more direct sunlight the plant receives, the better.
Bright Indirect Light means that the plant enjoys large amounts of light but should not be constantly exposed to direct sunlight, which will damage the plant.
Mixed-light generally refers to a combination of sunlight and artificial light to help the plant to grow.
Filtered light implies that the light consists of a softer glow, generally making its way through sheer curtaining or frosted glass before reaching the plant.
Low light simply means an area with very little light, generally away from any windows whatsoever or north-facing aspects in your home or garden.
Anthurium Light Conditions in Their Natural Habitat
In their natural habitat, Anthurium plants grow best in warm and humid environments in the shade of the thick jungle canopies found in the equatorial rainforests.
The light that the plant receives here is generally filtered down through the leaves of the trees above, or it is reflected off the trunks of the trees before making its way to the Anthurium below.
While this may seem like a low light condition, it’s important to remember that outdoor lighting conditions differ significantly from indoor lighting conditions. Even the brightest room in your house does not equate to the direct sun in nature.
Therefore, the Anthurium that lives in the shade of the great trees of the rainforest will still receive more than sufficient amounts of sunlight as this shines through the protective layers above.
Signs Your Anthurium Is Receiving Too Much Light
If an anthurium receives too much light, it will become easy to notice. The leaves start to fade to a pale yellow hue, developing white and brown patches. These patches consist of dead tissue that has occurred due to dehydration.
Too much sun means that the plant releases more water via transpiration, but this water will soon run out, resulting in the abovementioned effects. The flowers will also fade as a result of too much sun exposure.
Signs your Anthurium Isn’t Receiving Enough Light
An anthurium that does not receive enough light typically will demonstrate laggy or droopy growth and lack healthy vibrancy. The blooms that do come about will generally be pale green in color, while the leaves will be thin and straggly and become susceptible to common anthurium bugs, pests, and diseases. It may also be that your Anthurium plant is in need of repotting or fertilizing.
The Best Light Exposure for Anthurium Grown Indoors
To achieve the best bright, indirect light for your Anthurium, there are two options for placement. Either place the plant in an east-facing window to receive sufficient light in the mornings without being exposed to too much direct sun.
The better alternative would be for the Anthurium to be located in a south-facing room at a distance of four to six feet from the south-facing windows. This will ensure that the plant receives a sufficient amount of bright, indirect light while keeping it safe from the harsh direct rays of the sun.
It may be good to move the plant slightly closer to the window in the winter months to ensure it still receives sufficient amounts of light when the sun is at its weakest.
Because plants tend to grow towards the light, periodically rotating them will ensure the healthiest growth for the entire plant throughout the year.
Recently repotted, pruned, or propagated anthurium plants require a little extra care and definitely don’t want to be exposed to bright, direct light.
It’s worth noting that Anthurium plants are considered somewhat toxic to humans and pets so it’s prudent to wear a pair of gloves when handling these plants or moving them around.
Anthurium Light Requirements FAQs:
Can Anthurium plants live in low light?
Anthurium plants can live in low light, but they will grow very slowly and will be unlikely to produce blooms.
Can Anthurium plants take full sun?
Anthurium plants exposed to full sun will become dehydrated and scorched.
What kind of light do Anthurium plants need?
Anthurium plants grow best in locations that receive bright, indirect light throughout the majority of the day.
Will Anthurium plants live happily indoors?
How do you know if your Anthurium is getting enough light?
If your Anthurium is getting enough light, it will produce healthy-looking leaves as well as brightly colored blooms.
Wrapping Up
By exposing your Anthurium to the right amount of bright, indirect sunlight, you can be sure that the plant will remain healthy and produce bright, magnificent blooms throughout its life.
If you’re looking for your next Anthurium plant, see our in-depth guide to the best plant shops delivering Anthurium plants nationwide.
Andrew is the Editorial Director at Petal Republic. He holds a BSc degree in Plant Sciences and has trained professionally at leading floristry schools in London and Paris. In amongst overseeing a global editorial team, Andrew's a passionate content creator around all things flowers, floral design, gardening, and houseplants.
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