Anthurium watermaliense (black anthurium) care

Light

Bright but filtered. Anthurium watermaliense burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. Bright, filtered light brings out the darkest spathe colour and largest leaves. Direct sun scorches the foliage, while low light gives leggy growth and few of the prized dark blooms. 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 watermaliense: when the top 2-3 cm of mix is dry, about every 5-7 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. Keep the mix evenly moist during growth, easing back slightly in winter. Water thoroughly until it drains, then empty the saucer; the roots rot if left standing in water.

Soil and pot

Anthurium watermaliense grows best in chunky, free-draining epiphytic aroid mix. Orchid bark, perlite, coco chips, and a little coir give the open, airy structure the roots need. Avoid heavy, water-retentive compost, which suffocates and rots the root system. 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 watermaliense sits happiest at around 60-80% humidity and 18-28°C (65-82°F). High humidity supports lush leaves and good flowering. Below 50% leaf tips brown and new growth deforms; a humidifier, pebble tray, or grouping is recommended in dry rooms. 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 watermaliense sparingly. Feed every 4-6 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced, dilute liquid fertiliser at half strength to support strong leaves and dark spathes. Reduce in winter and flush occasionally to prevent salt buildup. 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 watermaliense in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Pale or greenish spathes — Insufficient light dulls the signature dark colour; move to brighter indirect light to deepen the maroon-black spathe.
• Browning leaf tips — Low humidity or mineral buildup from tap water; raise humidity, use rain or filtered water, and flush the pot periodically.
• Root rot — From a dense mix or overwatering. Use a chunky epiphytic blend with excellent drainage and let the surface dry slightly between waterings.
• Deformed new leaves — Often a sign of low humidity or inconsistent moisture; stabilise humidity and watering, and check for thrips, which also distort new growth.

Propagation

Divide mature clumps at repotting, ensuring each piece keeps healthy roots. Offsets can be separated and potted individually. Seed from ripe berries is viable but slow; division is the reliable home method. 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 watermaliense is toxic to pets. Toxic to cats and dogs. Anthurium is ASPCA-listed as toxic; it contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause oral burning, drooling, swelling of the mouth and tongue, and difficulty swallowing when chewed. Keep away from pets and children. 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 watermaliense deep-dive guides

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

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

Featured in these plant shortlists

Anthurium watermaliense 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 watermaliense is also commonly called black anthurium or Watermal 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