Be it the classic painter’s palette or the fancier flamingo flower, the beautiful Anthurium plant is loved for its multitude of uses, symbolic value, flamboyant looks, and easy-care nature. For these plants to truly thrive indoors, you’ll need to pay careful attention to the best temperature and humidity ranges for Anthurium plants.
Anthuriums like warmth, with the optimal temperature for indoor Anthuriums being 65F to 85F. They favor high humidity, growing optimally at around 60 to 80 percent humidity. However, they are adaptable and will tolerate some deviation from these growing conditions in most homes and offices.
There’s quite a bit to know about anthuriums and how to provide optimal growing conditions for them in your home. As with any plant, the key to success is giving anthuriums conditions that mimic those that they have in their natural habitat.
Anthurium’s Native Growing Conditions
Anthuriums are tropical plants, part of a large genus of approximately 1,000 species. They grow natively in tropical areas across Central and South America, with a few species coming from the West Indies.
Many of the species are epiphytic, meaning that they grow on trees. Other species are epipetric or so-called lithophytes, which grow on rocks. In either case, they don’t need much in the way of soil.
Signs Your Anthurium Plant is Exposed to the Wrong Temperature and Humidity
Most types of Anthurium plants (including rarer species like the Anthurium crystallinum) can be sensitive to humidity and temperature fluctuations. While too much light, poorly draining soil, too little water, or lack of nutrients can also interfere with good growth or color from these plants, they’re both problems that are relatively easily solved.
Common signs of temperature issues include:
- Limp or drooping anthurium leaves, a problem also caused by overwatering or underwatering
- Loss of color or pattern
- Slow growth and a lack of new leaves
- Leaf drop if the temperature drop is severe or extended in length.
When the problem is a lack of humidity instead, Anthurium plants exhibit problems like:
- Crispy brown edges on older leaves indicate both under-watering and a lack of moisture in the air
- Wilted leaves that don’t perk up from temperature improvements
- Rapid drying of soil between watering, making it hard to maintain a proper level of moisture
- Slow growth
- Pale leaves with a lack of color or pattern.
Excessive humidity is rarely a problem for Anthurium, but it can lead to dark spots on the leaves or grey mold growth around the stems. After adjusting humidity levels, simply water less and avoid misting for a while to encourage the plant to dry out a little.
Temperature Tolerances Of Anthuriums Indoors
Anthurium plants are usually somewhat forgiving and tolerate a range of indoor temperatures. However, they’ll do best in temperatures that stay consistently between 65 and 85 degrees F.
Keep your Anthurium plant comfortable by placing it away from intense, direct light exposure areas, such as right by a south or west-facing window. Instead, place the plants near an east-facing window, or near a source of bright indirect light, i.e. a south or west-facing window that’s always covered with a sheer curtain.
Avoid placing your Anthurium plants near vents, heaters, radiators, or air conditioning units. Constantly fluctuating temperatures below 60 degrees and above 85 degrees F may keep your Anthurium plant from reaching optimal growth.
As for humidity, an indoor humidity range between 40 and 60 percent is ideal. Lower humidity won’t necessarily harm your Anthurium plant, but you may need to water a bit more often or take steps to increase humidity (see our in-depth guide to watering Anthurium plants here).
Like many other houseplants, excessive humidity may invite common anthurium bugs, pests, diseases, and other problems. If humidity is very high for prolonged periods, you may notice mold or root rot.
It’s easy to monitor ambient humidity throughout your home. Simply use a hygrometer. This portable, inexpensive tool is simple to use and measures temperature, too.
Raising The Humidity Indoors With A Humidifier
There are several methods to boost household humidity levels around Anthurium plants indoors:
Misting Anthurium Plants
The simplest method to give your plants extra humidity levels in your home would be to use a fine spray mister to mist your plants. You can do this every day or every few days. Use room-temperature water in your mister for best results. Avoid using cold water as you do not wish to shock your plants.
Additionally, try not to saturate the plant’s foliage which can lead to mold, pest, and diseas issues.
Humidity Trays
Another simple method would be to place your plants on a humidity tray containing pebbles and water. When using this method, you need to ensure that the top half of the pebbles protrude from the water and that the edges of the tray are dry as your Anthurium plant mustn’t be sitting in water as they do not appreciate ‘wet feet.’
The water will evaporate from the tray and create a more humid environment for your plant. This method is also excellent for watering your plant as you will not need to worry about emptying the tray or saucer once the water has drained out.
In-room Humidifiers
Another method would be to purchase an air humidifier for the room you house your plant in. Depending on budget and room requirements, humidifiers will help regulate humidity around your Anthurium and can often be set to run automatically.
Caring for Anthurium Plants in Spring and Summer
In the growing season, typically warm spring and summer months, don’t let your Anthurium plant get overheated. Avoid placing it near heat vents or radiators. Now’s also the best season to consider pruning, propagating, or repotting your Anthurium plant if needed.
If you use air conditioning in your home, you’ll also need to watch for too-cool temperatures. During the summer, keep Anthurium plants away from air conditioning units and HVAC vents, as blasts of conditioned air may lower the temperature abruptly.
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 and moving them around.
Anthurium Plant Care Over Winter
During the winter months, continue to keep Anthurium plants away from heat registers, radiators, and vents. Avoid cold drafts from windows or doors. If you notice leaf drop, your plant may be too cold. Anthurium plants do not grow well when the temperature dips under 45 degrees F.
While Anthurium plants prefer drier conditions, watch that your plant doesn’t get too dry. If you notice browning leaf tips, up the humidity. Also – it’s best to lay off fertilizing your Anthurium plant during this time of year.
Wrapping Up
Anthurium plants are tropical forest natives and thrive best in temperatures ranging from 65 to 85°F throughout the year. They also prefer high humidity levels of at least 40% but will cope with lower household humidity levels. If you live in relatively dry regions, you may need to consider humidity trays, misting, or in-room humidifiers to boost the moisture content in and around your Anthurium plant.
If you’re looking for your next Anthurium plant, see our in-depth guide to the best plant shops delivering Anthurium plants nationwide.
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