Anthurium Dressleri: Ultimate Grow & Care Guide

Last month, my friend Cassie brought a new variety of Anthurium and assigned her daughter plant care.

Brushing aside, she spent her summer holiday making TikTok videos and letting the plant produce pale leaves.

As soon as she knew it, she called me to get some help. I helped her revive the pale Anthurium and taught their care requirements. 

Generally, Anthurium dressleri requires 6 hours of dappled sunlight, with temperatures between 22 to 30°C and humidity of 50-65%. Besides, it needs well-draining soil with a pH of 5-6, balanced fertilizer, weekly watering, and annual pruning and repotting once every 2-3 years.  

When I first saw Anthurium dressleri in a plant exhibition, I couldn’t get my eyes off its leaves, and I wondered whether I could support the plant if I bought it at home.

Thank god my choice was right, as now I have a happy Anthurium thriving on my patio.

If you want to learn about the basic care of Anthurium, you are at the right place. So, don’t stop reading until you reach the bottom.

Plant Overview: Anthurium Dressleri

Did you know that Anthurium dressleri was first discovered by Dr. Robert Dressler in the dense jungle of Panama?

The plant also boasts certain features that are more amusing than its name.

Help yourself from the table below to get an insight into the additional features of Anthurium dressleri.

Indicator	Identity
Scientific Name	Anthurium dressleri
Native Range	Panama, Colombia and Ecuador
Family	Araceae
Genus	Anthurium
Growth Zone	USDA 10 or higher
Plant Type	Evergreen
Growth Rate	Moderate to Fast (Slow During Winter)
Growth Size	60 to 70 centimeters in length About 4 centimeters in Diameter
Foliage	Dark Green and Velvety
Flowering	Within 42 months from Germination
Soil pH	Acidic
Toxicity	Toxic to Humans and Pets
Common Pests	Scale Insects, Mealy Bugs and Aphids
Horticultural Diseases	Bacterial Blight, Root Rot, Mites and Fungus Gnats
Average Annual Rainfall Requirement	3,000 to 4,000 millimeters
Spathe Color	White or Greenish White with Pink Shades
Spadix Color	Pale or Bright Yellow to Yellowish Green or White (Green in Color Post-Anthesis)
Habit	Lithophyte

There are other Anthurium varieties that resemble and differentiate Anthurium dressleri. 

Where to Buy Anthurium Dressleri?

Getting Anthurium Dressleri plants at a nursery nearby is difficult, so I suggest you go through the following places. 

Sites/ Shops	Delivery Period
AroidSale	Within 4 to 8 Days After Placing An Order
Etsy	Within 10 or More Days After Placing An Order
Ebay	Within 3 Days After Placing An Order
Beleafsgardenfish	Within 4 to 7 Days After Placing An Order
Aroid Nursery	Within 6 to 7 Days After Placing An Order

Anthurium Dressleri: Complete Care Guide

Make your Anthurium dressleri warm because that’s what your plant likes!  

Placing your plant outdoors or indoors won’t be a problem if you keep it in a warm condition.

You can also help yourself with the table below to learn briefly about the growth requirements of Anthurium dressleri.

Factors	Favorable Parameters
Sunlight	6 Hours of Bright Indirect Sunlight
Watering	Every Few Days When First Inch of Soil Becomes Dry To Touch
Temperature	22 to 30 Degrees Celsius
Humidity	50% to 65% Ambient Air Humidity
Soil Type	Porous Organic Soil with Good Water Retentive and Holding Capacity
Soil pH	5 to 6 (Slightly Acidic to Slightly Neutral)
Fertilizer	One-Fourth Strength of Slow Releasing Fertilizer Period of Application: Once In 4 to 6 Weeks
Repotting	Once In 2 to 3 Years or When The Plant Roots Have Outgrown The Pot
Pruning	Only When The Leaves Die or Turn Yellow
Propagation	Root Cuttings, Stem Cuttings and Seeds

1. Sunlight and Location

Anthurium dressleri prefers to stay in forest understory with dappling sunlight in its natural home. 

You can also place Anthurium dressleri indoors in a room that receives at least 6 hours of bright indirect sunlight.

This will replicate the home conditions of your plant and provide it with enough dappling sunlight for the consistent growth of the leaves.

But, if the plant is getting imbalances in lighting, you may find the symptoms mentioned below.

Signs of Low Lighting Conditions	Signs of Extreme Lighting Conditions
Blooms of the Plant May Attain Pale-Green Color.	Leaves and Flowers Appear Scorched.
Leaves May Become Messy.	Plant May Curl the Leaves Due to High Temperature and Loss of Water.
Plant May Drop the Leaves.	Color of the Leaves May Fade from Green to Pale-Yellow Hue.
Color of the Leaves and Flowers May Dull Out.	White and Brown Patches Appear on the Leaves.
Plant May Produce Smaller Flowers.	Flower Color May Fade.
Growth of the Plant May Slowdown.	Dehydration Effects the Leaf Expansion and Leaves Appear Wilting.

Tips for Providing Light Properly 

• Place the plant closer to a window covered by translucent curtains to protect the Anthurium dressleri from direct sunlight in summer.
• Move the plant closer to the east-facing window in winter mornings so that your plant receives adequate sunlight.
• Place the plant at least 3 feet away from the south-facing window to complement its growth.
• You can rotate the plant once a week so its foliage can get enough sunlight throughout the day.
• Recreate a region outdoors where the plant will get ample sunlight, such as a shade or greenhouse with a shade net.

Furthermore, you can also place the plants in grow lights during winter, which gives the plant 6-7 hours of extra juice.

Pro Tip! Place your Anthurium dressleri in Greenhouse Cabinets about 12-24 inches away from 30 Watts of LED strip lights for 12 hours.

2. Weekly Watering

Anthurium dressleri requires frequent watering during spring or summer but spare watering in winter or rain.

Ensure watering your Anthurium dressleri once a week during spring or summer and once every two weeks during winter or rainy months when the first 1 to 3 inches of soil dries.

Anthurium needs 0.8 cups of water weekly during spring and summer. Reduce watering to 0.8 cups biweekly during the winter and rainy seasons.

Avoid hard tap water with total dissolved solid levels of 100 ppm, which can decline the growth of seedlings and adult plants.

Using rain, distilled, or reverse osmosis water for Anthurium plants is recommended.

However, overwatering and underwatering the plants may cause them to develop certain symptoms. 

Symptoms of Overwatering	Symptoms of Underwatering
Tips of Leaves Turning Yellow.	Leaves May Turn Brown and Crisp.
Formation of Droopy Leaves.	Tips of the Leaves May Start To Turn Brown.
Foul Smell From the Soil of Potting Mix.	Leaves May Turn Droopy or Start to Wilt.
Development of Slimy Stems.	Surface of the Leaves May Wrinkle.

Tips to Water Anthurium Dressleri Properly 

If your Anthurium shows symptoms due to overwatering and underwatering, consider the following points. 

• If the plant has undergone overwater, hold off the watering for a few days until the soil becomes completely dry.
• Change the foul-smelling soil and repot your Anthurium.
• Ensure the roots of the infected plant are white or tanned, and cut away rotting tissues.
• Empty the tray placed under the pot after watering the plant. Don’t let the plant sit in soggy conditions.
• If there are underwatering symptoms, water the plant adequately. 
• Ensure your pot has drainage holes at the bottom, and stop watering the plant when the water falls through the drainage holes during the watering routine.
• Consider watering your potted Anthurium plant with the bottom-up approach by placing the planter on a saucer filled with water for a day.
• Water your Anthurium plant when the top 1 to 3 inches of the soil dries. Inspect the soil by using the finger dip test.

3. Ideal Temperature

Although Anthurium prefers warm climates in its natural habitat, too hot or too cold conditions can damage the plant.

You can keep the plants under the shade outdoors in summer.

In winter, keep the plant outside during the day and bring it back inside at night to protect it from cold.

Generally, Anthurium dressleri is a tropical plant that thrives in the temperature range between 22 to 30°C (70 to 90°F).  

But, avoid letting the temperature go lower than 10°C  (50°F). This will hamper the growth of the plant overall.

However, you will automatically know if your Anthurium plant is not getting an optimum temperature.

Signs that Anthurium Dressleri is Getting Improper Temperature

• Leaves slump, and later they droop due to excess temperature.
• Yellow shades appear on the surface of the leaves.
• The plant faces slow growth and a shortage of new foliage
• Leaves start falling when high temperature prevails for long periods.

Tips for Providing Balanced Temperature

• Make sure you keep your plant from cold-drafty windows during winter nights.
• Place the plant away from direct scorching sunlight.
• Locate the plant away from vents, heaters, radiators, or air conditioning equipment that can harshly change the surrounding temperature.
• If you grow Anthurium in greenhouses, place a thermostat to adjust the temperature during summer and winter.

Pro Tip! Make a cozy and ventilated environment for Anthurium to thrive indoors or outdoors. Create gaps so that wind blows around the plant.

4. High Humidity

Anthurium hails from areas with high humidity and warm surroundings.

However, Anthurium can thrive indoors and outdoors if you take care of its humidity levels.

The ambient humidity level for Anthurium dressleri is around 50-60%.

From this, it is clear that Anthurium hates low humidity.

The plant may exhibit the following symptoms under low ambient moisture.

• Crispy brown edges form in older stems
• Wilting of leaves
• Paling of leaf colors or patterns

Although the plant rarely shows a response to excessive humidity. You can observe dark spots on leaves or grey mold around the stems when it does.

To overcome humidity concerns, follow these tips to save your plant.

Tips for Maintaining Adequate Humidity

• You can provide adequate humidity by getting an indoor humidifier to regulate the moisture around the plants.
• A humidity tray is an easy way to provide the required humidity to your Anthurium. Simply fill a tray with pebbles and water and place the plant pot on the tray.
• If you have more than one potted Anthurium in your home, you can group the plants to increase the surrounding humidity.
• You can mist the plants to give them an extra humidity boost daily in summer and spring.
• Place the Anthurium plants in the kitchen or bathroom to provide maximum humidity. 

Pro Tip! Use a hygrometer to measure and regulate the ambient humidity suitable for your Anthurium dressleri inside your home.

But, take a few precautions while misting your plants, such as utilizing room temperature water instead of cold water to avoid cold shock.

Additionally, clean the excess water droplets on the leaves after misting to avert the growth of molds.

Furthermore, don’t “wet feet” the plant while placing the pot on humidity trays.

Make sure the pebbles protrude from the water and avoid direct contact between the water and the pot’s base.

5. Well-draining Soil

You will need to mimic the condition of tropical soil for your Anthurium dressleri to thrive.

Anthurium dressleri requires porous organic soil with good water retention and drainage, having acidic pH levels between 5 and 6.

Wood chips, perlite, coarse sand, or pumice are all good for creating a suitable substrate for Anthurium to root.

However, to prevent wet roots, rely on a Cactus potting mix.

Pro Tip! Using a cushion moss layer on the top of your potting mix will help your Anthurium to retain extra water in the soil.

Nevertheless, you can create your own potting mix for your Anthurium with proper organic and inorganic component ratios.

• Equal parts of Oak leaf + pumice
• Equal parts of pine bark + peat + perlite
• Two parts premixed orchid soil + one part peat+ one part perlite

Mix all the components in a pot and add a small amount of water to bind them. You can do this between repotting sessions of your Anthurium.

Yet, if you cannot DIY your potting mix recipe, try any of the following mixes that are commercially available.

• Anthurium Plant Potting Soil Mix:  Contains sand, horticultural charcoal, peat moss, fir bark, perlite, and lime
• Creative Plant Mama Soil Mix: Includes horticultural charcoal, coco chips, vegan fertilizer, orchid bark, earthworm castings, etc. 
• Premium Tropical Soil Mix: Possesses  Pumice coco coir, coco husk, hark nuggets, bioChar

It is necessary to maintain an appropriate soil mix for Anthurium due to the sensitive roots.

However, you might see these symptoms if you use the wrong potting mix.

• Difficulty in flowering
• Leaves attaining yellow color
• Leaves becoming limp or droopy
• Wilting of leaves
• Brown or mushy stems

If you hesitate to give your Anthurium the soil care, the plant will also lose its verdure. So, ensure to provide your Anthurium fitting soil.

6. Monthly Fertilization

You must avoid fertilizing the plant in winter when the growth is slow, as over-fertilization may negatively affect Anthurium.

Normally, slow-releasing fertilizer of one-fourth strength once in 4 to 6 weeks will be sufficient for Anthurium dressleri during spring and summer.

Likewise, you can use 10-10-10 NPK fertilizers during growth periods.

Nevertheless, dilute the fertilizer to one-fourth strength (1 part fertilizer + 4 parts water) during blooming seasons.

However, if you are giving frequent fertilizers, dilute the fertilizer solution to one-tenth of its strength.

You can also use organic fertilizers such as boiled chicken or pulverized fish bones. Bones contain phosphorous that will aid your Anthurium in flowering seasons.

Tips for Fertilizing Properly 

Follow the steps below to get an idea about fertilizing your plant!

• Make sure to water your plant a day before fertilizing.
• On the day of fertilization, gently pour the dilute fertilizer solution around the plant’s base.
• Immediately stop pouring when the solution drains from the pot’s drainage holes.
• To encourage flowers, you can increase the ratio to 10-30-20 in the blooming seasons.
• Nevertheless, dilute the fertilizer to one-fourth strength (1 part fertilizer + 4 parts water) in blooming seasons.
• Avoid letting fertilizers touch leaves, roots, stems, or any other parts of the plant. 

Using strong and saturated fertilizer solution without dilution may cause excess salts to build-up in the potting mix hampering the plant’s ability to take up water.

If excess salts build up, symptoms like yellowing or wilting of leaves, scorched foliage, and withering stem are noticeable.

One of the options to cure the salt build-up is flushing the soil 4 or 5 times with filtered or distilled water by allowing water to drain from the drainage hole.

But, if you don’t want to risk the plant with homemade fertilizer, follow the links below to get your hands on ready-made fertilizers.

• EZ-gro Blossom Booster:  10-30-20 bloom fertilizer  
• Peter’s Blossom Booster: Water-soluble fertilizer
• All-Purpose Fertilizer: Fertilizer for veggies, shrubs, trees, and bushes

7. Scant Pruning

If you are stressing about trimming your leggy Anthurium, let me tell you they require less pruning than you may think.

Pruning now and then that can result in the growth of new foliage and blooms will be sufficient.

Generally, Anthurium dressleri demands pruning once every 2 to 3 years at max.

However, your Anthurium may need cuts to remove dead or yellowing leaves and wilted flowers more often.

By removing the damaged parts, you are helping the plant produce new leaves and blooms. 

Use sterilized secateurs to make a pruning cut at the base of the flowering stem to remove dead or wilted flowers.

Although pruning seems easier, you need to keep certain in mind!

• Don’t prune excess leaves. Only prune the dead or fading leaves to assist the plants with their new growth.
• If you are pruning to address the shape of your plant, keep at least four leaves attached.
• Furthermore, pruning a branch above a flowering bud can preserve the bud, and later you can get wonderful blooms.
• After pruning, mist the plant to give it a boost of moisture.
• Prune from a bottom-up approach, starting from lower diseased or discolored leaves.

Make sure not to spray too much water in the cut tissues. Exposed tissues with water can instantly catch mold or fungus growth.

Moreover, giving your plant proper pruning will help to develop new foliage and blooms more vigorously.

So, make sure to give your Anthurium a happy cut!

8. Biennial Repotting

If you want Anthurium to reward your home with vigor foliage and vibrant blooms, give it a wider container to offer ample space for the roots to grow.

You can repot your Anthurium once every 2 to 3 years or when roots protrude from the pot.

Anthurium may double its size within 2-3 years. So, make sure to get a larger pot during their first repotting.

To plant a baby Anthurium, use 6 inches (diameter) × 6.2 inches (height) container.

For first repotting after 2-3 years, you can use a 10 to 12 inches (diameter) × 10 inches (height) pot.

Pro Tip! Use container of wider size whenever you repot your Anthurium. Bigger and spacious containers assist free growth of the roots.

Also, Anthurium is a moderate to fast grower, depending on seasonal conditions.

So, keeping track of repotting time in their growth periods becomes hard.

However, your Anthurium will automatically inform you when it needs a spacious pot.

Make sure you observe the below-mentioned signs.

• The appearance of cracks or bents in the current container
• Roots pushing up and extending on the soil surface (root bound) 
• Roots protrude out from the drainage holes of the pot
• The meshing of roots all around the container soil
• Faster drainage of water without forming any stagnant conditions
• Slowing in growth even when providing all growth requirements
• Wilting of leaves after every time you water the plant

Steps To Repot Your Anthurium Dressleri

• Water your plant a day before repotting to ease the transplanting process and prevent the roots from going into shock.
• Before repotting, prepare and add fresh potting mix to a new container.
• Tip the old container with your Anthurium to one side and gently work your way from the base to the edge of the soil around the pot.
• Use your fingers to free your Anthurium with soil clumps in the root ball.
• Place the Anthurium plant in its new pot and cover its root ball with soil and work your way, filling the soil all around the gaps.
• Finally, water the potting mix lightly to dampen it.

Repotting is easier for Anthurium, but you need to follow certain dos and don’ts before and after repotting.

Things To Take Care of During and After Repotting 

Care while repotting is essential as later it will help your Anthurium to establish itself in its new home.

Follow the tips to aid yourself during repotting sessions.

• Prevent burying the root ball completely in the soil after you transfer the plant into a new pot.
• Avoid pulling the plant on the stems while removing them from the old container.
• Take special care and use a rubber spatula to loosen the soil around the container’s edge while transplanting.

However, post-repotting care is equally important and easier if you pay attention to small details.

• Give time to your Anthurium to adjust post-repotting. It may take from a few days to a week.
• Don’t put your Anthurium directly in bright light immediately after repotting. Instead, select a shadier area.
• Avoid fertilizing for a few weeks, and water your Anthurium whenever the soil feels dry to the touch.

If everything jells, your Anthurium will surely love its new pot and perk up like it was before.

Anthurium Dressleri: All About the Growth Rate

Anthurium dressleri is a shade-loving, moderate to fast-growing plant like its tropical kins.

Anthurium dressleri boasts purplish, large, and velvety foliage 20 to 40 cm long and 11.5 to 30 cm wide.

Judging from its leaf size, the plant grows no lesser than 65 to 70 cm in length and about 4 cm in diameter.

Although the plant appears large, it takes nearly 50 years to reach that mature height.

However, Anthurium dressleri also takes the cake for its unusual pale yellow to yellowish-green spadix flower and white or greenish-white spathe.

Fun Fact! Bright and vibrant flowers with dark purplish leaves of Anthurium dressleri is an adaptation for capturing maximum sunlight in the shady forest floor.

Similarly, the blooming season lasts year-round, and blooms stay for 2 to 3 months.

Toxic Traits of Anthurium Dressleri

Anthurium dressleri is toxic to both humans and pets.

According to ASPCA, the Anthurium dressleri carries toxic traits due to insoluble calcium oxalate crystals in almost all its parts.

Chewing or licking the plant part may be fatal in large dosages.

But, signs and symptoms of ingestion can take 2 hours to appear.

Your pets may experience these symptoms.

• Diarrhea
• Pupil dilation
• Hoarse barking (in the case of dogs) 
• Obstruction in airways 
• Swelling in tongue and lips 

In humans, signs and symptoms may vary depending on the amount of the plant part ingested.

If you accidentally consume the plant parts, you may experience a painful burning sensation in your mouth with blisters and swelling.

Furthermore, sap from the plant can also manifest skin irritation and rashes.

However, you can try a few things to alleviate the symptoms in your pets.

• Rinsing the mouth with clean water to remove many oxalate crystals as possible.
• Give your pets something cold to eat or drink. This may lower the irritation by a bit.
• If the symptoms are severe, consult your veterinarian or provide your pets with an appropriate pain reliever or antihistamine.

Feeding milk to your pets may also help to reduce symptoms. Calcium present in the milk helps to bind with oxalate present in the plant parts.

Nevertheless, you can also rely on the following links to contact the emergency helpline for you and your pets.

• American Association of Poison Control Center (AAPCC) – (800) 222-1222
• ASPCA Poison Center – (800) 426-4435

Propagating Methods for Anthurium Dressleri

Wouldn’t it be great if you could grow more Anthurium dressleri from the same mother plant?

You can have your own family of Anthurium growing in your home!

A general way of propagating Anthurium dressleri is using cuttings from stems and aerial roots.

It’s also possible to propagate your Anthurium via seeds, but they are hard to get hands-on unless you already have a blooming plant.

Hence, stem cuttings and aerial roots are the best methods for propagating your Anthurium dressleri.

Essential Materials Required for Propagating

Before propagating your Anthurium, be thoughtful and make arrangements by collecting essential items.

You can also check the table below to get an idea.

Required Materials	Purpose
Garden Knife	For Cutting Stem or Root Sections
Gardening Gloves	For Protection
Potting Mix	Medium For Potting
LECA	For Allowing Extra Drainage
Rooting Hormone	For Root Growth
Pots With Drainage Holes	For Planting Cut Portions
Humidifier	For Providing Humidity to Planted Cut Portions
Fine Sprayer	For Spraying or Misting Leaves
Disinfectants	For Sterilizing the Knife During Cutting Root or Stem Portions

1. Propagation via Aerial Roots

Aerial root propagation involves the use of aerial roots to grow more Anthurium.

This method is widely used and has a high rate of successful propagation.

Take a look at these steps to propagate your Anthurium from aerial roots.

• You can take sections of aerial roots by borrowing some from leggy roots poking from the pot while transplanting.
• Uproot your Anthurium from the pot carefully and remove any soil clumps with your fingers to expose the roots.
• Use a sterilized knife and make clean cuts to separate roots with at least two nodes.
• Don’t take more if the plant has few roots and leaves attached to the shoot.
• Remove the infected roots, and take cuttings from healthy parts.
• Place the split portions 1-2 inches deep into the same blend of the potting mix as the parent plant was growing.
• Add little water to dampen the soil, and then water regularly later as you do for the adult plants.
• Your cuttings will develop new shoots and leaves within four to six weeks.

2. Propagation via Stem Cuttings

Propagating using stem cuttings requires less effort than aerial roots since you don’t have to uproot the plant from the main pot.

A. Propagation in Soil Medium 

However, take some tips from below to have a successful propagation process.

• Choose a healthy stem at least six inches in length with two to three sets of leaves.
• Cut the required stem portion using a clean knife.
• After cutting the sections, dip the cut side of the stem into the rooting hormone before planting.
• Use the same potting mix in which the mother plant was growing for propagating new cuttings.
• Gently push the stem to the first set of leaves into the soil.
• Water the soil lightly to dampen it.
• You can also mist the stem cuttings once a week using fine spray or mister or place the pot containing the cuttings near a humidifier.

If the cuttings produce new leaves within four to six weeks, they have formed new roots.

Pro Tip! Water your root and stem cutting as you would water your Anthurium but allow the soil or potting mix to dry between watering sessions.

B. Propagation in Water

You can also try growing your Anthurium using stem cuttings in water.

Of course, it might sound impossible, but the technique is called hydroponics.

Take a look below to understand the process.

• Use filtered, chlorine-free water.
• Remember to use a transparent jar to check on the growth progress.
• You can add a tiny amount of rooting hormone powder directly into the water.
• Add the stem cuttings with a small number of roots to the jar.
• Place the jar with stem cuttings in an area that receives bright but indirect sunlight.
• You may observe root growth within two to three weeks, while new leaves may arise within another few weeks.

Later, you can transfer these cuttings into the potting mix.

But, certain risks in hydroponics are vital to look through.

• Constantly prevent the growth of algae inside the jar. Over time, algae may amass and eat up all the oxygen in the water.
• While cleaning, change the water to provide cuttings with a fresh supply of oxygen-rich water every time.
• Consider adding a fresh supply of rooting hormone whenever you refill the water. 

Propagation requires skill in some cases. So, it is preferable to use methods with a high chance of success.

You can also check the video below to learn about propagating Anthurium in water. 

3. Propagation via Seeds

Propagating Anthurium dressleri via seeds is a tough act to follow.

Since seeds are formed in female plants, you must initially pollinate the female with pollen from the male plant.

Moreover, males and females bloom at different times. So, confirming when the plants will set the seeds is difficult.

However, once the berries are formed, you can extract the seeds and plant them to germinate.

Here are the proven steps for germinating Anthurium from seeds.

• Collect the ripe berries (orange to yellow) that contain seeds.
• Separate the seeds from the berry pulp and air dry them by putting them between two to three layers of tissue paper.
• You can also dry the plant at room temperature for 1-2 hours.
• Sow the seeds in the same potting mix where the mother plant was growing.
• Plant the seeds 1/8 inch deep in the potting mix.
• Before sowing, lightly moisten the potting mix with water. After sowing the seeds, you can again mist them using a fine spray.
• Keep the temperature between 22ºC to 30ºC, and mist the seeds daily.

Within five to seven days, you can observe that seeds have sprouted.

It may take at least 2-3 years from germination for the Anthurium plant to reach adulthood and bloom for the first time.

Common Problems in Anthurium Dressleri

Due to the typical tropical requirements of Anthurium dressleri, such as high humidity and moisture, your plant is always at risk of infection by disease or pests.

Furthermore, these conditions are ideal for the growth of fungi and bacteria.

Hence, judging from their sensitivity, you must keep your Anthurium from harm’s way.

Generally, your Anthurium dressleri may face problems from pests, diseases, and nutrient deficiencies.

You may face similar problems in your Anthurium. Without proper guidance, you can lose your precious plant!

So, let’s dive into the problems and their possible remedies without delay.

1. Nutrient Deficiency

Your Anthurium dressleri may face problems and show signs if you do not feed it enough nutrients.

See the table below to understand Anthurium’s symptoms and associated mineral deficiencies.

Nutrients	Deficiency Symptoms
Nitrogen (N)	Chlorosis or total yellowing of entire leaves.
Phosphorous (P)	Reduction or stunting of in overall height of the plant.
Potassium (K)	Formation of curled leaves with necrosis or browning of leaf edge and yellowing or chlorosis on veins of the leaves.
Magnesium (Mg)	Poor and stunted growth of the entire plant.
Sulfur (S)	Plant become thinner and smaller than normal with slender leaf petioles.
Iron (Fe)	Interveinal chlorosis or yellowing between the leaf veins.
Calcium (Ca)	Formation of necrotic patches, necrotic leaf margins and terminal buds and root tips cease to grow.

To prevent the damage done by nutrient deficiencies, use fertilizer containing a mix of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, magnesium, calcium, and sulfur.

Or fertilize Anthurium dressleri based on the guide above!

2. Common Pests

Anthurium dressleri is not safe from pests. Although the plant is poisonous, it won’t help against the nasty buggers.

Some common pests that may attack your Anthurium include scale insects, thrips, mealy bugs, mites, nematodes, and fungus gnats.

The major cause behind pest attacks in Anthurium dressleri is stress. So, keep your plant comfortable as much as possible by proffering it with all the preconditions.

Additionally, minimize constant repotting, frequent pruning, and relocating.

Major pests and their pest-attack symptoms are given in the table below!

Pests	Effects and Symptoms
Scale Insects	Effect: Attacks the plant's foliage and suck out the sap. Symptoms: Forms honeydews or sticky droplets that can lead to the growth of sooty molds.
Mealy Bugs	Effects: Attacks the plant's foliage and sucks out the sap. Symptoms: Forms honeydews or sticky droplets that can lead to the growth of sooty molds, yellowing of leaves and stunting the overall growth.
Aphids	Effects: Attacks on the leaves of the plant to suck out all the sap. Symptoms: Speckled foliage with yellow marks, slowing the growth of plant and deformation of plant's parts.
Spider Mites	Effects: Forms white webs on plant parts and sucks out sap from the leaves. Symptoms: Stippling and spot formation on plant parts leading to cease in overall growth.
Fungus Gnats	Effects: Feeds on the tissues of roots and carrier of other plant related diseases. Symptoms: Wilting of leaves and root rot.
Nematodes	Effects: Burrows into the tissues of roots. Symptoms: Wilting of leaves, formation of root lesions and root rot.
Thrips	Effects: Burrowing into the tissues of roots and stems, scraping the surface of the leaves and covering the leaf surface with black dots of their waste. Symptoms: Formation of speckled patches of pale discoloration on the surface of the leaves.

However, the weak health of the plant is not the only cause of pest attacks.

Your plant may succumb to these attacks due to the following reasons!

• Wet soil for prolonged periods – attracts fungus gnats.
• Dry soil and foliage condition – attracts spider mites and scale insects.
• Tender new growth on your plant – attracts aphids.
• Contaminated potting mix and propagating materials (seeds and cuttings) – attract nematodes.

Solutions for Pest Attack

If your Anthurium is already under pest attack, you can adopt the following measures to prevent further damage.

• Yank away the pests using a spray of water without damaging the leaves.
• Use insecticidal soaps in tandem by gently scrubbing the pests off the leaves.
• For scale insects, you can scour them off using a q-tip dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
• Neem oil works satisfactorily for aphids which can suffocate them.
• Hang sticky traps around the plant pots to capture gnats and thrips.

Pro Tip! Use insecticidal soaps containing high amounts of potassium salts. You can also use dish soap as an alternative during wash routine.

Preventive Measures

Let’s look into some preventive measures to protect your Anthurium from pests.

• Always use sterilized cutting and propagating tools.
• Periodically wash the leaves once every two weeks with insecticidal soaps or dilute isopropyl alcohol in spring and summer.
• You can also use systematic pesticides to prevent infestation. This involves feeding the plant with very low amounts of pesticide pre hand to repel the pests whenever they bite the plant.
• Food-grade diatomaceous earth sprays are also a useful approach that desiccates and punctures the bodies of pests hiding in the soil.

3. Common Diseases

Your Anthurium dressleri may be highly susceptible to infections caused by bacteria and fungi.

But, you can also invite these diseases if you grow the plant in an inappropriate setting.

Factors such as excess humidity, abnormal temperature, pH levels, scars, wounds, or any other opening present in the plant parts can favor the entry and growth of harmful plant pathogens.

However, you can quickly prevent the diseases by identifying the signs and symptoms firsthand.

A. Common Bacterial Diseases

Bacteria can cause internal and external infections to your Anthurium.

If the soil of your potting mix is extremely moist and warmer than normal and has varying pH levels, you may create a suitable breeding ground for bacteria to grow.

Here are some of the important bacterial diseases, their causative agents, and symptoms that might be helpful in identification.

Diseases	Causative Agents	Symptoms
Bacterial Blight	Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. dieffenbachiae	Formation of chlorotic water-soaked lesions along the leaf margins. Expansion of chlorotic lesions into V-shaped necrotic areas.
Bacterial Wilt	Ralstonia solanacearum	Chlorosis of leaves. In later stages veins of leaves and stem turn brown or bronze in color. Formation of bacterial ooze (brown slime) in highly infected plants.

B. Common Fungal Diseases

Fungal infections in Anthurium dressleri are prominent due to environmental factors.

Normally, high temperature and moisture or humid conditions can result in the growth of fungi in Anthurium.

Moreover, the effect of fungal infections can be visible in the roots and blooms, where moisture and humidity fluctuation is prevalent.

Look at the table below to learn about fungal diseases in detail.

Diseases	Causative Agents	Symptoms
Root Rot or Damping-Off	Rhizoctonia solani	Younger stems become weak, water-soaked and are unable to support the weight of the plant. Roots and stems of young seedlings are affected and die-off. Increase in wet conditions can spread the disease to upper leaves.
Root Die-back	Phytopthora nicotianae var. parasitica Pythium splendens	Wilting of plant even when adequate moisture is available. Formation of black and brown leaf lesions. Chlorosis in leaves and dying of plant parts starting from roots and spreading to upper portions.
Black Nose	Colletotrichum gloeosporoides	Floral spadix develop small brown to black flecks. Overtime, these flecks and black spots become watery and spreads all over the flower spadix. Spadix eventually falls off. Formation of spore containing structures on dead leaves and stems.

Solutions Against Infections

It is never late to provide immediate treatment to your infected plants. I have mentioned some of the solutions below for your ease and understanding.

• Use bactericides that contain high amounts of copper, such as SEPRO CAMELOT.
• Don’t let the infected Anthurium be the carrier of diseases, and clip off any damaged parts using sterilized clipping tools.
• Fungicides such as Bonide are effective for a wide range of infections.

Follow the video to guide yourself about removing pesky bugs from your Anthurium.

Preventive Measures

You can be extra careful and protect your plant before disease symptoms occur.

Some of the preventable measures are given below.

• Remember to clean the pruning and propagating tools with diluted bleach.
• Avoid grouping the infected plants with healthy plants. If the plant is beyond saving, discard it.
• Sterilize freshly harvested seeds using 1-5% sodium hypochlorite solution (NaOCl) for 1 minute before sowing.
• Maintain aeration in the greenhouse and indoors to prevent spores spread and their settlement on leaves or stems.
• Install thermostats and hygrometers to control temperature and humidity levels indoors.

Conclusion

If you are recently dipping your toes in gardening, Anthurium dressleri is an adorable plant for an initial gardening experience.

Anthurium can be your lifelong choice as a plant pet with easy growth requirements, placement choices, and care.

However, the plant’s toxicity is one to be careful of. Avoid letting your pets and children go near it; you will be fine.

Hence, give your Anthurium a happy place to live and watch it bloom by your side as a centerpiece magnet of your home.  

Not only Anthurium dressleri, but Monstera dialcerata also have supple growth needs that you can easily follow to offer your houseplants a new companion!

Happy Gardening