Care guides › Indoor garden › Anthurium
Anthurium care in Melbourne
Anthurium andraeanum · Toxic to cats and dogs
Glossy red flowers most of the year. Here is how much light it wants, which windows suit it, and how often to water it through a Melbourne year.

- LightMedium light to bright, out of direct sun
- WaterEvery 6 days in summerEvery 10 in winter. Water when the top 3 cm of soil are dry, until it drains out the bottom.
- FeedEvery 4 weeks, Oct to MarLiquid feed at half strength. Nothing over winter.
- AirLikes humidityKeep it away from heaters and air conditioning.
Which window suits an anthurium
In Melbourne the sun sits to the north, so north windows are the brightest and south the softest. Where it does well, by window and distance from the glass:
-
North-facing window
2.5 h of sun in summer · 9 h in winterOn the sillToo sunny1-2 m backGoodFar sideGood -
East-facing window
5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winterOn the sillToo sunny1-2 m backGoodFar sideGood -
South-facing window
1.5 h of sun in summer · 0 h in winterOn the sillGood1-2 m backGoodFar sideToo dark -
West-facing window
5.5 h of sun in summer · 3.5 h in winterOn the sillToo sunny1-2 m backGoodFar sideGood
A Melbourne year with an anthurium
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water every | 6d | 6d | 6d | 10d | 10d | 10d | 10d | 10d | 10d | 6d | 6d | 6d |
| Feed | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||
| Repot check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
If something looks wrong
Yellow lower leaves and wet soil
Too much water. Let the top of the soil dry before the next drink; in winter that is about every 10 days.
Pale or scorched patches
Direct sun through glass. Move it 1-2 m back from the window, or behind a sheer curtain.
Brown, crispy leaf edges
Dry air, often from a heater. Keep it away from vents, and group it with other plants.
Fine webbing or white fluff under the leaves
Spider mite or mealybug, most often as the weather warms. Wipe it off and check again in a week.
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