How to Grow Anthuriums Using Seeds

There are more than 800 species of anthurium plants in the world, and most are native to tropical climates such as Argentina and Uruguay. Because of their natural affinity for warm and tropical climates, Anthuriums grown in other parts of the world thrive best as house plants. Grown indoors under the right conditions, anthuriums can produce year-round flowers that brighten up your home even in the depths of winter.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

• Seed tray
• Peat moss
• Water
• Planting pot
• Pine bark
• Perlite

1. Fill a seed tray with peat moss and settle your anthurium seed into the moss, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Moisten the moss and store the seeds in an area with a temperature between 80 and 90 degrees F. The seeds will germinate within two months.

2. Fill a 4- to 6-inch diameter planting pot (with a drainage hole) three-quarters of the way with equal parts peat moss, pine bark and perlite.

3. Transplant the anthurium when it has grown to be 3 to 6 inches tall in the seed trays. Gently remove the plant from the moss trays and bury the roots 1 inch deep in the new planting pot. Water the soil so excess water runs from the drainage hole to encourage the soil and roots to settle.

4. Store the anthurium in an area of your home that maintains temperatures between 78 and 90 degrees F during the day and provides at least four to six hours of indirect sunlight each day. Temperatures can drop as low as 70 degrees at night; temperatures outside this range can stunt growth.

5. Water the anthurium any time the top 2 inches of soil become dry to the touch. When you water, water deeply so that excess water runs out through the drainage hole. Do not overwater the plant, as this can lead to fungal growth on the roots.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also grow anthuriums outdoors, but only in warm areas where temperatures rarely (if ever) drop below 50 degrees F. Anthuriums will die if ever exposed to freezing temperatures.

• Anthuriums should not need fertilizer. If you insist on fertilizing, do so only once per year (in early spring) with liquid, slow-release fertilizer diluted to a quarter of its normal strength.

• Do not transplant the established anthurium from its pot unless the roots completely fill the pot. If you have to transplant, make sure to use the same well-draining soil mixture in the new pot as well.