Anthurium Leaves Growing Smaller

7 years ago

I can’t find an answer to my question in any care guides I’ve looked up online. You guys are my last hope. Why do the leaves on my anthurium grow smaller and smaller? Here’s the story. I bought a young anthurium sometime in March or April. I repotted it in early May. Because there were root ends sticking out at the bottom I thought it was root-bound in its nursery pot, but it wasn’t. I used coconut coir potting mix that contained unspecified fertiliser according to the description on the package. I added perlite, and some peat moss and horticultural charcoal, just in case. Even though June is a winter month down-under, in Melbourne, judging by the fact that the leaves continue to grow, it does not seem to be dormant. But as you can see, the new growth is diminutive. I read somewhere that anthuriums can get shocked from repotting. Is that how shock may express itself? However, if I remember correctly stunted leaf growth may have started before the repotting, and it could have been the second reason why I wanted to do so. It shouldn’t be nutrient deficient, because the potting mix is fresh and is even supposed to include a fertiliser. And it’s in a brightly-lit location. As can be seen in the closeups, it is actually a clump of anthuriums. I can count five separate plants in there. Can that be a problem? Should they be divided? And in winter time? Insights and suggestions will be appreciated.

Featured Answer

petrushka (7b)

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

from what I remember of mine, it takes 2 years approx. in good conditions. Since you got yours recently there is no way to know the exact age of off-sets. If the main stalk is producing flowers you can expect the larger off-sets to produce them too, but they will be quite small while the leaves are small.

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Comments (9)

tropicbreezent
7 years ago
Are you sure the small leaves aren't just from the young plants suckering off the parent plant?
HU-290358385 thanked tropicbreezent
HU-290358385
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Thanks for the comment. How do you mean? There's no parent plant. They are a clustering of young plants as far as I can see, and each of them grew larger leaves before but currently grow much smaller leaves. Is it seasonal? Could they be suffocating each other, growing in a clump like that? I'd love to hear from people with anthurium growing experience/knowledge. (By they way, they are a smaller, maybe even a dwarf species in general; I think I saw them labelled as "Small Talk").
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petrushka (7b)
7 years ago
there are usually many off-sets developing at the base off the main stalk. and they have small leaves. they continue to grow like that and even bloom with small 'flowers'.

the central stalk will get longer and longer and eventually will decline, while the off-shoots will grow to become larger plants. it's the normal growth for this plant.
HU-290358385 thanked petrushka (7b)
HU-290358385
Original Author
7 years ago
So, should I just leave them alone? No dividing into separate plants is necessary? Also, I see anthuriums being sold in bloom at the local garden centres. Apparently, it's their blooming season. And mine are nowhere near that stage. At what age then do anthuriums start blooming if you know? Cheers.
petrushka (7b)
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
they bloom when they get enough light. Mine are in east or in west window getting sev hours of early/late afternoon sun. it's a must for blooms.

do not separate the off-sets: they grow better as is.

mine stop blooming in winter (dec-apr) in cooler conditions. But if you keep them very warm (above 75F) and in good sun they will bloom even in winter (got them in FL where winters are very warm and sunny...and they bloomed thru winter too).
HU-290358385 thanked petrushka (7b)
petrushka (7b)
7 years ago
by the way, your plant is in great shape! all leaves look good, so continue doing what you're doing :). just give it a little dappled moving gentle sun.
HU-290358385 thanked petrushka (7b)
HU-290358385
Original Author
7 years ago
It's right by a north-east window and gets all morning sunlight through a frosted windowpane. What I was wondering about was how old does a plant has to be to be mature enough to flower. I'll follow your advice and won't be splitting the clump.
Jyotsna Lama
5 years ago
My anthuridium has small leaves and no flowers. Currenlty I have potted it in a pot with Cokopit and soil. I water the plant with plain water or banana water from the top of the water. I do not use fertilizer. Can you please guide where I am going wrong which has resulted in shunted growth and no flowers.