Anthurium plowmanii (wave of love anthurium) care

Light

Bright but filtered. Anthurium plowmanii burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. Thrives in bright filtered light near an east or shaded south window. Tolerates medium light but leaves stay shorter and floppier; avoid harsh midday sun, which scorches the strap blades. If you only have a south window, set the plant back 1.5 m or hang a sheer curtain — both knock the intensity down into the right range.

Watering

Watering anthurium plowmanii: when the top 3-5 cm of mix is dry, roughly every 7-10 days. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. Water thoroughly until it drains, then let the surface dry before repeating. As an epiphyte it hates soggy roots; reduce frequency in winter and never leave the pot standing in water.

Soil and pot

Anthurium plowmanii grows best in chunky, free-draining aroid mix. Blend orchid bark, perlite, coco chips, and a little coir or quality potting soil. The mix should hold moisture briefly then drain fast, mimicking the airy debris it roots in on tree branches. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Anthurium plowmanii sits happiest at around 50-70% humidity and 18-29°C (65-84°F). Appreciates moderate to high humidity; 60% keeps leaf edges from browning. Tolerates average room humidity better than thin-leaved anthuriums, but a pebble tray or humidifier improves new-leaf size. If you keep the room above 18 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed anthurium plowmanii sparingly. Feed monthly through spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength. Pause in winter. Epiphytic roots are salt-sensitive, so flush the pot occasionally to prevent fertiliser build-up. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on anthurium plowmanii in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Brown, crispy leaf edges — Usually low humidity or mineral/fluoride build-up in tap water; raise humidity and water with filtered or rainwater.
• Yellowing lower leaves — Most often overwatering or a waterlogged mix; check that the chunky mix drains freely and let the surface dry between waterings.
• Limp, floppy new leaves — Too little light or too much; move to brighter indirect light if leaves are pale and weak, away from direct sun if scorched.
• Root rot — Dense, water-retentive soil suffocates epiphytic roots; repot into an airy bark-based aroid mix and avoid letting the pot sit in water.

Propagation

Propagate by division when the clump produces offsets or multiple growth points; separate a rooted section in spring and pot into fresh chunky mix. It can also be grown from fresh seed, though that is slow and rarely done at home. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Anthurium plowmanii is toxic to pets. Toxic to cats and dogs. The ASPCA classifies Anthurium as toxic, with insoluble calcium oxalate crystals as the toxic principle; ingestion causes oral and tongue irritation, intense drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. Keep away from pets and wash hands after handling sap. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Anthurium plowmanii deep-dive guides

Every aspect of anthurium plowmanii care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Anthurium plowmanii watering schedule
• Anthurium plowmanii light requirements
• Best soil mix for anthurium plowmanii
• Anthurium plowmanii fertilizing guide
• When to repot anthurium plowmanii
• How to propagate anthurium plowmanii
• Anthurium plowmanii growth rate & size
• Anthurium plowmanii cold hardiness
• Anthurium plowmanii temperature & humidity
• Is anthurium plowmanii toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is anthurium plowmanii toxic to cats?
• Is anthurium plowmanii toxic to dogs?

Featured in these plant shortlists

Anthurium plowmanii qualifies for 3 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best humidity-loving houseplants — Houseplants that thrive in a bathroom, kitchen, or by a humidifier — selected by documented humidity preference.
• Houseplants toxic to cats & dogs — The common houseplants the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats and dogs — the ones to keep out of reach, each with its symptoms and a safe alternative.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Anthurium plowmanii is also commonly called wave of love anthurium or Plowman's anthurium.

• Types of anthurium — varieties identified, with care and pet-safety
• Monstera care — light, water and common problems
• Pothos care — light, water and common problems
• Fiddle leaf fig care — light, water and common problems
• All 2464 plant care guides in the Growli library