Quick growing conditions
Air: around 18–30°C; nutrient solution: around 18–25°C
5.2–6.0 in the root zone
Reference feed: 0.9 mS/cm; root-zone target: 1.0 mS/cm
12–14 hours daily; approximately 5–10 kilolux under white LEDs
Suitable systems
- drip
- semi-hydroponic
Substrates
- airy inert substrate
- expanded clay
How to Grow Hydroponic Anthurium Indoors
Hydroponic anthurium brings glossy leaves and colourful, long-lasting floral displays into your home. An airy substrate, gentle feeding and bright indirect light help keep the plant productive.
This guide focuses on flowering anthuriums. The nutrient profile below is specifically labelled Anthurium scherzerianum, rather than a universal recipe for every Anthurium species.
Growing Conditions
Use these guidelines as starting points and adjust them to your cultivar and indoor conditions.
| Parameter | Practical guidance |
|---|---|
| Air temperature | Around 18–30°C supports growth. Protect plants from cold draughts, radiators and sudden temperature changes. |
| Nutrient solution temperature | Use water near room temperature. Around 18–25°C is a practical starting range; avoid cold water and overheated reservoirs. |
| Light duration | Start with 12–14 hours daily under grow lights, followed by darkness. |
| Light intensity | Approximately 5–10 kilolux at leaf level under white LEDs as a cautious starting guide. Adjust gradually to plant response. |
| Humidity | Humid air is helpful, with gentle airflow and no persistent condensation on leaves. |
| pH | The reference root-zone range is 5.2–6.0. |
| EC | The reference feed specifies 0.9 mS/cm, with a root-zone target of 1.0 mS/cm. |
Anthuriums favour warmth and bright, indirect light. They can grow under different light levels, but excessive intensity may bleach or scorch leaves. Lux readings depend on the lamp spectrum, so treat them as an approximate guide.
Choosing Anthuriums and a Hydroponic System
Choose a compact flowering cultivar for a shelf or windowsill. Anthurium scherzerianum produces colourful spathes and a characteristically curled central flower spike. Many familiar houseplant cultivars belong to A. andraeanum or related hybrids, which may need a different feeding programme.
Select healthy plants with firm foliage and no visible pests or root damage.
For home growing, a drip-fed container with an airy inert substrate is a practical option. Expanded clay can also support a managed semi-hydroponic setup. Keep the crown above standing solution and provide air around the roots.
Good drainage matters more than keeping the entire container permanently wet.
Recommended Anthurium Nutrient Solution
This profile comes from Nutrient Solutions for Greenhouse Crops, Geerten van der Lugt and co-authors, version 4, 2020, page 73.
It is intended for Anthurium scherzerianum in inert substrate. Values below use the nutrient solution for fertigation column.
All concentrations are mg/L in the finished solution.
| Nutrient | Base | Start adjustment applied* |
|---|---|---|
| N, total | 94 | 79 |
| N–NO₃ | 90 | 79 |
| N–NH₄ | 4 | 0 |
| P | 25 | 25 |
| K | 152 | 174 |
| Ca | 52 | 32 |
| Mg | 24 | 24 |
| S | 26 | 26 |
| Fe | 0.840 | 1.120 |
| Mn | 0 | 0 |
| Zn | 0.196 | 0.196 |
| B | 0.324 | 0.378 |
| Cu | 0.048 | 0.048 |
| Mo | 0.048 | 0.048 |
*The source restricts the Start adjustment to a new, limed polyphenol substrate. It is not a general formula for every young plant or newly established hydroponic system.
Total N already includes N–NO₃ and N–NH₄. P and K are elemental concentrations. Values follow the source’s rounded mass concentrations.
Mn is shown as zero in the source’s feed column. This does not mean anthurium needs no Mn. Before using this recipe in another substrate or with purified water, account for the complete nutrient supply. Do not assume this substrate-specific formula is complete for every home setup.
Use the profile as a starting point and modify it according to your cultivar, source water, substrate, light and plant response. Include nutrients already present in your water.
Use our NPK Calculator to calculate fertilizer quantities.
Plant Care and Flowering
Check solution level, pH, EC and drainage regularly. Avoid automatically adding more fertilizer whenever growth slows. Excess feeding can cause salt accumulation and brown leaf margins.
Remove dead leaves and spent flower stalks at their bases with clean tools. Keep healthy foliage and avoid unnecessary pruning. Pollination is not needed for an ornamental floral display.
For home growing without chemical pesticide treatments, inspect plants regularly and manage pests through isolation, physical removal or suitable biological controls.
Anthurium is an ornamental plant and is harmful if eaten. Keep it away from children and pets, and wear gloves when cutting because the sap can irritate skin.
Flowers for Display and Cutting
Leave the colourful spathes on the plant for a long-lasting display. They can remain attractive for several weeks.
For a vase, select a fully developed, firm spathe and cut its stalk with clean secateurs. Place it in clean water and keep foliage above the waterline. Remove ageing stalks from the plant when their display has finished.
Common Problems
- Leaves but few flowers: Check light, plant maturity and root health before increasing fertilizer.
- Bleached patches or dry brown areas: Reduce direct sunlight or excessive lamp intensity.
- Brown leaf tips: Check EC, salt accumulation and inconsistent water supply.
- Yellow leaves with soft roots: Check drainage and prolonged saturation. Remove decayed material and correct root conditions.
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Ranges depend on cultivar, stage, water, and environment.
Calculator overview →Sources
- Nutrient Solutions for Greenhouse Crops, Geerten van der Lugt and co-authors, version 4, 2020, page 73