The Anthurium Compact plant’s leaves are heart-shaped and about eight inches long, hinged on very long stems that rise from the plant’s center.
These leaves are clustered, making the plant extremely attractive with the small blooms that come in yellow, purple, and pink.
The Anthurium Compact is very grower-friendly and will also do well when grown in a very small container. This guide will give you the relevant information that you need to grow a healthy and vibrant Anthurium Compact plant.
What Is Anthurium Compact?
The Anthurium Compact is commonly known as the Mini Anthurium or Flamingo flower. Its scientific name is Anthurium Andraneum, which belongs to the Araceae family. This beautiful plant is native to the tropical forests of South America. Its flowers are upright and firmly stand against the foliage.
Anthurium Compact Care
The Anthurium Compact is easy to grow and needs little effort and attention. However, you should ensure that it is perfectly positioned and well-fed. Please try to avoid exposing this beauty to extreme growing conditions to attain the best results.
– Water Requirements
Preventing the rotting of roots is the first thing that should come into your mind when it comes to watering the Anthurium Compact. Consider dipping a finger into the soil mix to check if the soil is dry enough for watering.
If the top inch is dry, that means it is time to water the soil. The watering process works together with the draining qualities of the soil and pot in avoiding overwatering issues.
During summer, when temperatures are high, there is an increasein water loss so you should check the soil more frequently to stop your Anthurium plant from dehydrating.
Low sunlight in winter causes less evapotranspiration compared to summer so consider cutting down on the watering frequency to match the conditions. Moreover, the Anthurium Compact goes dormant during winter and water uptake is low as foliage development is not supported in this period.
However, too much water leads to rotting roots. The rotting may extend to the stems if this situation is prolonged.
A dehydrated plant shows by wilting and discoloring leaves. Try to minimize the use of tap water as it contains chlorine and other minerals that cause salt accumulation in the soil mix.
– Light Requirements
The Anthurium Compact loves bright light that is indirect for its upkeep. We advise that you place the plant close to an east-facing window where it receives bright and indirect sunlight.
In a situation where the sun’s rays are reaching your plant’s leaves, you can use a curtain to filter in the light. Direct sunlight causes the leaves of your Anthurium Compact plant to burn, discolor, and wilt thereby losing their beauty.
If the Anthurium Compact plant has already produced flowers, direct sunlight can scorch them in no time. When grown as an outdoor plant, it is best to find a shaded place with sunlight access.
During low light seasons like winter, we recommend the use of grow lights as alternatives to sunlight. Also, if indoor conditions have too low light, you can transition the plant outdoors for better sunlight access.
– Soil Requirements
A well-draining soil mix offers the best conditions for Anthurium Compact care and growth. Additionally, you should use a pot that has adequate and efficient drainage holes to release excess water from the system.
If water is allowed to stay in the pot, the roots will begin to rot and bacterial infections also start to manifest. An ideal soil mix can be made by mixing peat moss with sand.
We recommend that you combine the soil with organic matter to boost the growth rate of the plant. When growing the Anthurium Compact outdoors and in a soil mix that has high water retention, you should consider growing them on raised beds.
Raised beds drain the water much faster because the soil level is a few inches high, thereby keeping it from retaining the water. In addition, good soil allows air to circulate around the root system, thereby reducing the probability of diseases and rotting.
Anthuriums do well in slightly acidic pH that ranges from 5.5 to 6.5. If the pH is above 6.5, the soil becomes barren and the plant’s health will deteriorate. You should also look out for salt accumulation that is caused by fertilizers in the soil. Periodic soil flushing with distilled water helps in washing out the excess salts.
– Temperature Requirements
The Anthurium Compact will grow best in warm temperatures. Always ensure that the temperatures within the growing environment range between 70 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit (21 and 32 degrees Celsius).
As long as the temperature is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit, the Anthurium Compact will flourish. When grown outdoors, consider moving the plant indoors where the temperatures are much warmer to avoid its cells freezing.
In low-temperature conditions, we do not advise the use of heaters or air conditioners. Heaters will cause a sudden change in the temperature around your plants and this may shock them.
Additionally, the plants become hotter, leading to leaf discoloration that takes away their vibrancy. On the other hand, in hotter situations, air conditioners cause the environment to become too cold making the Anthurium Compact vulnerable to temperature shock.
Keep in mind that it is important to maintain the best temperatures during the growing season to enhance foliage development.
– Humidity Requirements
Humidity levels that are around 70 percent favor the growth and upkeep of the Anthurium Compact plant. It is quite easy for plants to sustain their humidity from the environment when grown outdoors.
However, this is different with indoor plants as you should make amendments to offer enough humidity to your Anthuriums. The Anthurium Compact loves high humidity so you have to carry out frequent checks on this plant and make adjustments if necessary.
We advise that you use the pebble tray system to increase humidity around your plants. You should place the Anthurium Compact on the pebble tray but, make sure that the roots of your plant do not get in contact with the water in the tray to avoid rotting.
Misting the foliage is another cost-effective method for retaining moisture. Also, grouping your plants helps keep humidity high around your plants by trapping the moisture that is released as they transpire.
When administering Anthurium care indoors, using a humidifier is relatively expensive although it is more useful in maintaining the correct indoor humidity levels.
– Fertilizer Requirements
Several Anthurium varieties are very sensitive to strong fertilizer applications and the Anthurium Compact is not an exception. We advise that you dilute the fertilizer first before administering it to your plants.
Feeds that are rich in phosphorus are the best in encouraging Anthurium Compact growth and blooming. Apply one-fourth strength liquid fertilizer to your plants once a month during the growing season to enhance development and maintain the correct leaf color.
Phosphorus also acts as an insect repellent making your plants less susceptible to these troublesome bugs. Using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer results in vigorous foliage growth, thereby suppressing flower production. In winter, it is wise to reduce the fertilizing frequency to a single application every two months because Anthuriums will be dormant.
As a grower, it is vital to know that fertilizers cause salt accumulation in the soil so reduced feeding in winter gives time for the growing medium to retain its natural state. Please note that too much fertilizer does more harm than good to your plants.
– Pruning
Pruning is an important part of Anthurium care. Carry out the pruning process only during the active growing seasons which are spring and summer where the plants have a greater chance of growing again. Do not prune during winter because it is associated with low development and the plant may fail to bounce back.
Use only disinfected tools to cut the plant and always make shallow cuts that can heal quickly. Deep cuts take a long time to heal, thereby increasing the plant’s vulnerability to bacterial infection.
Remove all discolored and damaged stems or leaves from the Anthurium plant to keep it stunning. Properly dispose of all diseased cuttings to avoid spreading the infections to nearby healthy plants. Pruning is also done to remove all the messy foliage while keeping the plant’s desired look.
An old plant’s blooming chances can be revitalized by trimming it down, thereby paving the way for new growth. Always sterilize your shears, knife, or scissors before and after the pruning process and store them in a clean place.
Propagation
When propagating the Anthurium Compact, consider using a rooting hormone, which can be acquired from any gardening store. The Anthurium Compact can be propagated using the air roots and cuttings method.
The best time to propagate your Anthurium is during spring and summer due to their favorable plant development conditions. Winter propagation usually fails because Anthuriums will be dormant and the cooler temperatures and low sunlight do not support optimal growth.
– Stem Cuttings Method
To use the stem cutting method follow the steps below:
- Select a healthy cutting whose length ranges from six to eight inches with a few leaves and cut it at an angle.
- Dip the bottom of the cutting in the rooting hormone and plant it in the soil.
- Make sure that the bottom half is submerged in the soil, leaving the leaves above the potting mix.
- Water the soil thoroughly at first until you see it draining off through the pot’s holes.
- Ensure adequate humidity is provided by misting the cutting once every week.
Moreover, the plants should be placed on a spot that has bright, indirect sunlight. Another important point to note is that the more roots, nodes, and leaves a cutting has, the greater the chances of survival. More shoots will begin to grow from the cutting in a few weeks.
Please, be sure to provide your new plant with the normal Anthurium plant care needed for it to flourish.
– Air Roots Method
The roots that you see above the soil are called air roots and you can use them to propagate your plants.
- Begin by dipping these air roots in a rooting hormone.
- Submerge them in a fresh potting mix.
It will take a few weeks for the air roots to produce more roots and stems.
Problems
Diseases and pests are the most common problems that you may encounter when growing the Anthurium Compact. The most prevalent pests that are a threat to your Anthurium Compact plant are thrips, spider mites, whiteflies, and scales.
When noticed early, you can wipe them out before they cause serious damage to your beloved plants. Once you notice a pest infestation, isolate the infected plants promptly and treat them away from the healthy ones.
– Spider Mites
An adult spider mite is oval-shaped and has eight legs. Spider mites thrive in warm, dry conditions that have low humidity levels, but they are easy to control. If your Anthurium plants have some chlorotic spots or a stippled leaf appearance, quickly check for spider mites. You may also notice tiny webbings on the leaves.
If your plants are spider mite-infested, move them to a cooler room before you commence treatment because these insects do not like lower temperatures. The spider mite population can be reduced by repeatedly spraying the plant with lukewarm water.
We also recommend the use of insecticides that contain pyrethrin or permethrin. Always carefully read the label before using a pesticide to avoid any side effects to your plants and pets.
In severe cases, it is better to discard the entire plant before it passes on the infestation to other plants. Before you move the plant from its position, you should cover it with a plastic bag to prevent these bugs from migrating to nearby houseplants.
– Thrips
Thrips are very small dark or tan-colored bugs that are around 1/16 inches in length. If you shake the plant, they run quickly and the mature ones can even fly. Thrips’ rasping mouthparts scrap the plant’s leaves or flowers and suck the fluid that is released. Some irregular silvery splotches or streaks develop on the damaged leaves, thereby ruining the beautiful leaf appearance.
In extreme circumstances, small, shiny excrement drops are visible on the leaves. To eliminate thrips, you can use blue or yellow sticky cards that easily capture the flying adults. Applying insecticidal soap, Neem oil, and pyrethrins is also effective in killing thrips.
– Scales
Adult scales secrete shell-like waxy coverings. If you look closely at your plants and notice some round and oval organisms that are brown, white, or gray, then you might be dealing with a scale attack.
The most difficult type is the armored scale because you should scrap off the covering shield first before spraying a pesticide to kill them. However, the soft scale type is quite easy to eliminate.
Scale destroys your plants by sucking the sap out and serious infestation leads to yellowing and drooping of leaves. Stunted growth also results from a scale attack and the plant will look sickly.
Once you come across some shiny and sticky substances on the plant’s leaves, check your Anthuriums for scales, especially on the undersides of the leaves as they love hibernating along the mid-veins.
You can wash scales off the plants with clean lukewarm water. Using a blunt object or a fingernail to scrap off these mischievous bugs is a good alternative. Horticultural oils, pyrethrins, insecticidal soaps, and imidacloprid also eliminate scales effectively. Please note that imidacloprid is toxic to insects like bees therefore, you should not use them if your Anthurium Compact is in the blooming period.
– Whiteflies
Whiteflies are tiny, white, and gnat-like in appearance. The immature ones are oval, flat, and scale-like in appearance so you need to carefully identify them first so that you can administer the correct measures. These tiny bugs are found on the undersides of the leaves and mature whiteflies flutter up when disturbed or when you water the plant.
Both young and mature whiteflies use their piercing mouthparts to suck out the sap from the Anthurium plant causing leaf yellowing and dropping. You should use neem oil, insecticidal soaps, pyrethrins, and imidacloprid on the plant to get rid of whiteflies.
– Root and Stem Rot
The rotting of your Anthurium’s roots can kill it in no time if this problem is not solved promptly. Root rot is caused by excessive water that causes the soil mix to become soggy. Usually, using soils and pots that have poor drainage is the main cause of root rot.
If the rotten roots sit in soggy soil for a long time, rotting extends to the stem and if this happens, it is best to discard the entire plant. If you notice the Anthurium Compact plant wilting, yellowing, curling, and flowers falling off, you should inspect the roots for rot. If the condition is still in its early stages, you can revive your plant by trimming the dead or mushy roots and repotting the Anthurium into a new pot containing a fresh soil mix.
Conclusion
Growing the Anthurium Compact as a houseplant has proven to be one of the best options as its care conditions favor indoor conditions.
Below are some of the main issues captured in this care guide:
- Although the Anthurium Compact enjoys bright light, always avoid direct contact with the sun’s rays.
- Fertilize your plants once a month with a phosphorus-rich fertilizer during spring and summer. In winter, the plant will not be fertilizer hungry, but you can apply it once in two months if the need arises.
- Always prune your Anthurium plant with sterilized utensils to avoid contaminating it with bacterial infections.
- We advise that you periodically check your plants for scales, whiteflies, spider mites, thrips, and root rot, which lead to a shabby foliage appearance and eventually, the death of your lovely Anthurium.
Although the Anthurium Compact is not as rare as the Anthurium vallenaorum, it is very attractive with its eye-catching blooms being the main source of attraction, especially during the flowering period. Get your Anthurium Compact and give a finesse touch to your places!
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