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Everything You Need to Know About Repotting Anthurium Plants at Home
If your Anthurium plant has been in the same pot for several years or is beginning to show signs of struggle, a repotting is likely on the cards. Luckily, the process is straightforward and gives you some one-on-one time with your beautiful plants. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about when and how to repot Anthurium plants at home.
Repotting Anthurium Plants – The Essentials
Anthurium plants need repotting every two years or when rootbound and have outgrown their current potting vessel. This best time of year to consider repotting is in spring, utilizing a pot approximately 2 inches larger in diameter than your current one.
Why Repotting Anthurium Plants is Necessary
Repotting your Anthurium may seem like another care task to tick off the list, but the process is essential for your plant’s health and continued growth.
There are many reasons why repotting is necessary, but these three are the most important:
Growth
Plants are not designed to grow in containers. Roots continue to grow and extend over time to help the plant grow. Once they have taken up all the available space in a pot, they have
nowhere else to go.
Anthuriums that are root bound will have roots circling around the bottom of the pot or growing through the drainage holes. After a while, the plant will stop growing altogether.
Repotting gives your tree the boost of growth it needs to reach its full potential.
Soil
As roots take up more and more space in the soil and use up all the available nutrients, soil quality begins to degrade. The structure slowly breaks down, unable to hold enough moisture or nutrients to feed the plant or to keep the roots in place.
As Anthurium needs repotting every two years or so, soil quality isn’t usually a reason to repot as it takes a few years to disintegrate. However, if you’ve kept your plant in the same pot for a while, it will eventually need a soil refresh.
Pests & Diseases
Repotting is not usually an urgent activity, but it can be in the case of pest and disease problems.
Many pests and diseases are soil-borne and hide out around your plant’s roots, causing havoc. The quickest and most effective way to remove them from the soil is to repot.
How Often Do Anthurium Plants Need Repotting?
Anthurium plants aren’t rapid growers indoors, so they don’t need frequent repotting. Usually, you should repot your Anthurium plant about once every two or three years.
However, your Anthurium plant’s growth rate depends on several different circumstances. For instance, if your plant is in a low light exposure, it may grow more slowly.
Pay attention to your plant to determine when you should move it to a larger container. You may need to repot more often if you notice the following:
- Roots pushing up through the surface of the soil
- Roots protruding from the drainage holes in the container
- Roots become tightly meshed or form a dense mat
- Slower than normal growth (not due to environmental conditions)
- Problems such as root rot, fungus gnats or mold
Best Times of Year to Consider Repotting
The best time to repot your Anthurium is in early spring, just as the growing season kicks off. Repotting can cause shock, so the quicker your plant can recover from any potential damage, the better.
If you need to repot urgently due to stunted growth or pest and disease issues, you can repot any time of year. In these cases, repotting will be better for the plant’s health than waiting. However, make sure you do so carefully to limit growth issues later on.
The Best Soil Mix When Repotting Anthurium Plants
Soil is the foundation of good growth. Incorrect soil mixes can cause various issues with your plants, some of them irreparable. Your soil mix must be suitable for your plants.
Anthurium plants are epiphytes with aerial root systems which require a well-draining potting mix that can support their unique roots while providing adequate nutrients. Anthuriums prefer rich, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 to 6.5) that includes a combination of pine bark, peat, and perlite.
Specialized houseplant soil is available to purchase at your local nursery or online and should be suitable for Anthuriums. However, these mixes can be pretty pricey. Depending on the size of your plant, you will likely need a lot of soil when repotting.
A far more cost-effective option is to make your own soil mix. Not only is it cheaper in the long run (you can use the same components when repotting other houseplants), but it also allows you to tailor your soil mix perfectly to the needs of the plant and the environmental conditions in your home.
Houseplant soil mixes are typically a combination of these components:
- Peat moss: Retains moisture and lightens mixture.
- Coconut coir: A sustainable alternative to peat moss with the same properties.
- Perlite: White rocks of expanded volcanic glass that improve drainage by increasing the spaces between soil particles.
- Bark: Larger pieces that also improve drainage and soil structure.
To create your own rich and well-draining Anthurium potting mix at home, combine equal parts of pine bark, peat moss, and perlite.
To mix your potting soil:
- Combine all of your ingredients in a large container.
- Add a bit of water; just enough moisture will help to bind all the components together.
- Be careful not to add so much water, however, that the mix becomes soggy.
If you don’t have your own potting soil ingredients or simply looking for a mess-free alternative, several pre-mixed varieties are available to purchase. The following potting mixes are suitable for anthuriums and are ready-to-use right from the bag:
(Editors Note: Petal Republic participates in partnership programs with Amazon and other merchants to help connect readers with relevant products and services we may recommend).
For more, see our in-depth guide to the best soil mix for Anthurium plants.
Depending on the size of your Anthurium, repotting can be tricky. Make sure you have these tools prepared before you get started:
- Enough soil mix to fill the entire pot.
- Floor covering to gather the old soil and prevent mess.
- A new pot with plenty of drainage holes.
- A friend to help you lift the tree if it is too large or heavy.
Size & Types of Potting Vessel Considerations
When repotting your Anthurium plant, it is essential not to use a too big pot. The recommended size for upgrading your plant’s pot is to use a new pot that is not more than about two inches bigger than the last.
In terms of the type of pot, terracotta, ceramic, granite, and plastic potting vessels are all suitable for growing Anthurium plants.
How to Repot Your Anthurium Plant
Here’s how to repot your Anthurium plant, step by step:
- Gather your supplies (new container, fresh potting mix, something to cover your work area, gloves and plant snips)
- Spread tarp or newspaper over your work area to protect the surfaces from soil
- Grasp your Anthurium plant firmly around its base (at the soil line) and carefully slide the plant out of the container
- Gently shake your Anthurium plant to remove any clumped soil
- If roots are roots bound, loosen them with snips
- Add a few inches of potting mix into the bottom of the new pot
- Place your Anthurium plant on top of the soil, and check to see if it’s at the right level; add/remove soil until you reach the correct level
- Holding your Anthurium plant in the center of the container, fill the open spaces around the roots with soil until the plant is at the same level it was in the original pot
- Tap the soil gently to stabilize the plant
- Water lightly
Post Repotting Care
Repotting can be hard on plants, even for tolerant plants such as Anthurium. Give your plant plenty of time to recover from the shock of being transplanted.
Place your Anthurium plant back in the spot it was before you repotted. Being in the same environmental conditions can help with recovery, so try to minimize changes. Anthurium loves warm spots in your home with plenty of bright, indirect light.
Don’t fertilize for a few weeks after repotting. Water your Anthurium plant on your regular schedule or when the soil feels dry.
Repotting Anthurium Plants FAQs:
Should I soak my Anthurium before repotting?
You do not need to soak your Anthurium plant before repotting. Anthurium plants don’t like saturated soil, and the process of repotting is slightly more straightforward with a drier soil base to work with.
Should you water Anthurium immediately after repotting?
Yes, water your Anthurium plants immediately after repotting and stop when excess water starts to disperse from the potting vessel into the drainage tray underneath.
Do Anthurium like big pots?
Anthurium plants don’t necessarily like big pots; when pots are too large, they can retain too much water, which Anthurium plants don’t like. Instead, choose a new pot that’s only slightly larger than the original pot.
Why is my Anthurium limp after repotting?
Repotting can result in shock, which may cause the leaves and stems to turn limp. If the plant is in the same conditions and has enough water, there is no need to worry. It should return to normal after the period of adjustment.
Should I mist my Anthurium after repotting?
Misting is not required after repotting, but it may help clean up the leaves and remove any debris. The excess moisture can also help relieve the plant after exposure to the air, but regular watering will also do the trick.
Should I fertilize my Anthurium after repotting?
Avoid fertilizing after repotting as this can cause growth problems and may burn the roots while the plant is still trying to recover. If you need to fertilize, wait about a month before applying a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength to start.
Wrapping Up
Anthurium plants might seem like a lot of work, but these beautiful plants are more than worth it. Don’t be alarmed if your Anthurium looks a little weak for a few days after repotting. It is just getting used to the new environment and should rebound to its vibrant self in a matter of days.
If you’re looking for potted and composed Anthurium plant ready-to-go on delivery see our guide to the best plant shops for Anthurium offering nationwide shipping.
