My Anthurium Is Turning Yellow

Fertilization

• Excessive fertilizer causes the lower leaves of the tropical plant to turn yellow and leaf tips to turn brown and appear burnt. While small amounts of fertilizer are essential for healthy growth and plant development, feeding the plant more than it requires causes salt buildup in the soil that burns roots. Generally, anthuriums are not heavy feeders and do not require much fertilizer, especially when they are young. Once mature, provide a fertilizer specifically formulated for tropical houseplants, but dilute it to half the recommended strength. Douse a potted plant once every month to leech out excessive fertilizer salts.

Irrigation

• The soil around a potted anthurium should remain moderately moist, not soggy. Soggy soil prevents roots from absorbing and transporting oxygen to different plant parts, including the leaves, which in turn become stressed and discolor. Similarly, underwatering the plant, or causing it to experience drought conditions, also increases stress that manifests itself as yellow leaves. Although anthuriums need to dry out slightly between watering, drying them out too much causes leaf discoloration. Water the soil until evenly moist without causing it to become soggy or overly wet.

Sunlight

• Anthurium thrives in a warm spot with bright, indirect sunlight. Initial symptoms of leaf burn include yellowing and wilting leaves. The problem exacerbates when you water the plant infrequently or it experiences drought. If foliage discoloration occurs due to improper sunlight exposure, move the tropical plant to another spot that best meets its sunlight requirements. If necessary, hang a light curtain from the window the anthurium is placed near, or move it a few steps back so it receives indirect sunlight.

Pests

• Similar to other plants, anthuriums are susceptible to pests such as anthurium thrips, mites, aphids and mealy bugs. Although specific symptoms of pest infestations differ, the leaves of infested plants appear yellow, wilted and distorted. While some pests sap plant nutrients from the foliage with sucking mouthparts, others secrete honeydew that increases the chance of black sooty mold. Inspect the anthuriums regularly for signs of pests, and spray them with insecticidal soapy solution or rubbing alcohol, if necessary.