Root Rot and Anthuriums

Who hasn't experienced it or had it themselves? All environmental conditions are perfect. But your anthurium is suffering. At first glance, everything above the pot looks fine. But for some reason, the leaves are turning yellow and your anthurium is no longer growing.

Most important first:
Your anthurium is showing you that, in the truest sense of the word, it's not getting any air.

What's behind root rot in anthuriums?
This can't be answered in one sentence. It's usually a combination of several causes. One of the most common causes is too much water.
Your substrate should be slightly moist, never wet. If it's constantly wet, it leads to a lack of oxygen and the roots of your anthurium no longer get air. This can also be due to waterlogging because excess water cannot drain away. Or it's because you water your anthurium too frequently or too intensely.
It can also be due to using the wrong substrate. Too dense a substrate also leads to a lack of oxygen. Anthuriums need an airy, coarse substrate. If, for example, the soil content of your substrate is too high, it leads to too much water being stored and thus hardly any air being present between the roots.
If the ambient temperature is too low, this can also lead to root rot.
If your pot is too large and thus has too much substrate, this also leads to an increased water content because it takes longer for it to evaporate or drain away.
If your substrate has been in the pot for too long, this leads to compaction. The individual components of organic substrate break down over time and your substrate becomes more compact.
If the soil in your anthurium’s pot dries out, some of the fine roots (known as hair roots) will die off or suffer significant damage. These roots are actually responsible for absorbing water. Their cell structure breaks down, and they lose their function. If you then water the plant with too much water, the weakened roots will no longer be able to absorb it.  Too much water remains in the growing medium, displacing the oxygen. Microorganisms responsible for root rot attack the roots, causing them to die. As the roots decompose, root rot sets in.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our followers Linda and Nessi for pointing out that the information about the dried-out growing medium was still missing.

Root rot is caused by microorganisms. If the conditions listed above are suitable for them, it leads to the roots of our anthurium dying. The roots are decomposed.

The points listed above therefore also lead to an increase in root pressure. Overall, many anthuriums like a lower root pressure than many other genera. That's why it's advisable to choose an airy substrate.

How do I recognize root rot in anthuriums?
If your anthurium is not growing, has yellow or limp leaves, or a musty smell is coming from your pot, these are signs of root rot.

How can it be avoided?

• Only water your anthurium when the top of the substrate is already slightly dry.
• Use a coarse, airy substrate. You can find more about this in our lexicon.
• Use pots with drainage holes so that excess water can drain away.
• Absolutely avoid waterlogging.
• Provide your anthurium with a suitable ambient temperature with a balanced amplitude. (18-25*C)
• Regularly replace the substrate of your anthurium.
• Regular flushing can also help, as it flushes out the responsible microorganisms and many salt deposits from the pot.
• Don't let the soil dry out completely; water your anthurium regularly.