With its attractive foliage, the deeply colored flower sheaths and the beautifully shaped spadix, the flamingo flower is one of the evergreens on the windowsill. With good care and in a location that the plant likes, the Anthurium will develop splendidly. Sometimes even so good that it gets too big for the windowsill. Can you just cut them back?

The Anthurium should not be cut back if possible

The Anthurium should not be cut back

Anthuriums grow sprawling and bushy and should therefore not be cut back. Only dead and brown inflorescences and yellowed foliage are removed.

  • Always use clean, very sharp cutting tools for this care measure.
  • Cut off just above the substrate.

Long, sparse growing leaves

Sometimes the anthurium does not grow as dense and green as desired, but only develops a few, very long and unstable leaves. Please do not simply cut them back, as this is due to a care error.

Although the Anthurium does not like direct sunlight, it still needs a lot of light. If it shows the growth form mentioned above, it is too dark. Place the plant in a bright, shady place on the windowsill and be patient. As a rule, the flamingo flower drives out new leaves and the sparse appearance grows.

But what to do if the plant has grown too big?

In this case, division of the plant is recommended instead of a radical pruning. If possible, you should wait until spring with this care measure.

  • Carefully remove the flamingo flower from the old pot.
  • If they cannot be removed from the container, gently knead the plastic pots. Clay pots may need to be destroyed.
  • Gently pull apart the root ball of the plant. Depending on the size, you can divide the anthurium into two or three individual plants.

Now you can place the reduced ornamental plants in individual pots. Since the root ball, as with many epiphytes, does not grow very extensively, the planters should not be too large. Good water drainage is also important, since the flamingo flower is very sensitive to waterlogging. Cover this with a potsherd so that the soil is not washed out.

Orchid soil or a mixture of compost soil, peat and sand have proven to be suitable substrates. If you would like to use commercially available potting soil, it is essential to mix it with polystyrene balls or expanded clay (€19.73).

tips

Anthuriums are poisonous plants and can irritate the skin. Therefore, wear gloves when working on the plant.

Category:

Indoor plants