Inspect for aphids, scale, mealybugs, thrips and fungus gnats. Overwatering can contribute to root rot, and leaf spot is also listed. Check roots, mix, light and pests before assigning a cause.
How to care for a pigtail anthurium
Pigtail anthurium roots need a porous bark-and-perlite mix and full drainage. Use bright filtered light and wait for the surface to begin drying before watering.
Plant coveredAnthurium scherzerianumPigtail anthurium · Indoor container
Find a bright, steady position
Light and temperature
Use bright, indirect or filtered light and protect the leaves from harsh direct sun.
Provide warm, humid conditions and keep the plant above about 18°C. This is a lower-care boundary rather than a complete room climate target.
Check the mix, drainage and pot
Watering, drainage and repotting
Keep the medium evenly watered but well drained, water when the surface begins to dry, and water more sparingly in winter. Standing water increases root-rot risk.
Use a porous acidic-to-neutral mix of peat-free ericaceous compost, perlite and orchid bark. NCSU suggests repotting every few years as the plant grows, with timing guided by the roots and container.
Feed only during active growth
Fertilizer and active growth
RHS recommends orchid fertilizer about every two weeks from spring through autumn. NCSU notes that a higher-phosphorus feed can support flowering, but the sources do not set a product concentration.
Check the visible signs before changing care
Common problems
Use the verdict for this exact plant
Pet safety
Sources
- North Carolina State University Extension Gardener Plant ToolboxIndirect light; moisture; humidity; temperature; feeding; repotting; pests; root rot; toxicity
- Royal Horticultural SocietyPosition; compost recipe; water; orchid feed; humidity; temperature; pests and diseases
- ASPCA Animal Poison ControlCommon name; rendered scientific name; insoluble calcium oxalates; clinical signs for dogs and cats
Pet-safety information for catalog plants uses ASPCA reference data where available. It is reference information, not veterinary advice.