Strap-Leaf Anthurium (Wendling's anthurium) care

Light

In the wild strap-leaf anthurium grows on the bright edge of a forest canopy, not in the canopy and not in the open. Indoors, that translates to within a metre of an unobstructed window, sheer curtain optional. Wants bright, indirect light for 8-10 hours a day, ideally near a north- or east-facing window or a few feet back from a brighter one. Direct midday sun scorches the long blades, so filter it with a sheer curtain. Too little light slows growth and stretches the leaves. The fastest test: a hand held at the leaf casts a soft-edged shadow at noon — sharp shadow means too much sun, no shadow means too little light.

Watering

Aim for keep evenly moist; water when the top 2-3 cm starts to dry for strap-leaf anthurium, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule. A south-facing summer windowsill will dry the pot twice as fast as a north-facing winter room. Lift the pot; if it feels noticeably lighter than it did wet, water it. The chunky, airy substrate should stay consistently moist but never waterlogged, as soggy roots invite rot. Water thoroughly until it drains, then let the surface just begin to dry before the next round. Use rain, distilled, or filtered water where possible to avoid mineral buildup, and ease off in winter.

Soil and pot

Strap-Leaf Anthurium grows best in chunky, fast-draining epiphytic aroid mix. As an epiphyte it needs an open, airy medium rather than dense potting soil. A blend of orchid bark, perlite or pumice, horticultural charcoal, and some sphagnum moss or coco coir holds moisture while letting roots breathe. A roughly 40 percent bark, 30 percent perlite, 20 percent coir, 10 percent charcoal mix works well. 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

Strap-Leaf Anthurium sits happiest at around 60-80%+ humidity and 18-27°C (64-81°F). High humidity is essential for this cloud-forest species. Aim for 60-80 percent or higher; sustained low humidity quickly produces brown, crispy leaf edges. A humidifier, pebble tray, grouped plants, or a greenhouse cabinet helps maintain the levels it needs to thrive. 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 strap-leaf anthurium sparingly. Feed during the growing season (spring through early autumn) with a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half strength, roughly every two to four weeks. It is a reasonably hungry plant when actively growing, so a slow-release pellet mixed into the substrate at potting helps. Flush the mix occasionally to prevent salt buildup, and pause feeding in winter. 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 strap-leaf anthurium in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Brown, crispy leaf edges — Almost always a humidity problem; air that is too dry desiccates the long blades. Raise ambient humidity above 60 percent with a humidifier or cabinet and use low-mineral water.
• Root rot — Caused by a dense, waterlogged mix or overwatering, often with Phytophthora or Pythium. Use a chunky, free-draining epiphyte mix and let the surface dry slightly between waterings.
• Sap-sucking pests — Mealybugs, aphids, thrips, and spider mites are common, especially in dry air. Inspect leaf undersides regularly and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
• Scorched or bleached leaves — Direct sun bleaches and burns the foliage. Move to bright indirect light or filter strong sun with a sheer curtain.
• Bacterial blight — Xanthomonas causes water-soaked, yellow-haloed lesions that spread in warm, wet conditions. Avoid overhead watering, improve airflow, and remove affected leaves promptly.
• Stalled growth / pale leaves — Usually too little light or under-feeding. Increase indirect light and resume a balanced half-strength feed during the growing season.

Propagation

Propagate by division, ideally at repotting time in spring. Gently separate the root ball at natural divisions, ensuring each section has a healthy root system and at least two leaves, then pot up into the same chunky epiphytic mix and keep warm and humid while it establishes. 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

Strap-Leaf Anthurium is toxic to pets. The ASPCA lists Anthurium (e.g. Anthurium scherzeranum, Flamingo Flower) as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses due to insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. A. wendlingeri is not individually named, but as an Anthurium aroid it contains the same oxalates; keep it away from pets and call a vet or ASPCA Poison Control if ingested. 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.

Strap-Leaf Anthurium deep-dive guides

Every aspect of strap-leaf anthurium care, each with its own calibrated guide:

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

Related guides

Strap-Leaf Anthurium is also known as Strap-leaf anthurium, Wendling's anthurium, and Pendant anthurium.

• Types of anthurium — varieties identified, with care and pet-safety
• Snake plant care — light, water and common problems
• Dracaena care — light, water and common problems
• Peperomia care — light, water and common problems
• All 609 plant care guides in the Growli library