Anthurium Potting Mix

Urban Jungle Sydney Anthurium Mix is a chunky, open potting mix I prepare specifically for Anthuriums. The aim is simple: give the roots plenty of air and drainage while still holding enough moisture between waterings.

Many Anthuriums naturally grow as epiphytes, with their roots exposed to both moisture and air rather than sitting in dense soil. This mix reflects those growing requirements by combining coarse and moisture-retentive ingredients without creating a heavy medium.

I use a combination of pine bark, coco chips, perlite and a smaller amount of coco coir, creating a loose structure with plenty of spaces around the roots. The mix is also lightly amended with a balanced fertiliser.

Choosing a Size

Choose the size according to approximately how many standard 100 mm nursery pots you would like to fill.

Medium: Approximately 4 × 100 mm pots
Large: Approximately 8 × 100 mm pots
Extra Large: Approximately 12 × 100 mm pots

What’s in the mix

• Pine bark: Provides the main coarse structure and helps keep the mix open around the roots
• Coco chips: Add structure while also holding some moisture
• Perlite: Improves aeration and helps water move freely through the mix
• Coco coir: Included in a smaller amount to help retain moisture between waterings
• Fertiliser: Lightly amended with a balanced fertiliser

Why I use a coarse Anthurium mix

Anthurium roots need a combination of moisture, drainage and air. A very fine or compact mix can remain wet for too long and reduce the amount of air available around the roots.

The chunky structure of this mix allows water to drain freely while the bark, coco chips and coir retain some moisture within the medium. This gives the roots a more open environment without requiring the mix to dry immediately after watering.

Best suited for

• Anthuriums
• Velvet-leaf Anthuriums
• Strap-leaf Anthuriums
• Epiphytic Anthuriums
• Established Anthurium seedlings and young plants once they are ready for a more permanent potting mix

How to use

Use when potting or repotting Anthuriums into a well-draining container.

After repotting, water thoroughly and allow the excess water to drain. How frequently you water after that will depend on the plant, pot size, temperature, humidity and growing conditions, so use the moisture level of the mix rather than a fixed watering schedule as your guide.

The mix is lightly fertilised, but this is not intended to replace an ongoing feeding program as the plant continues to grow.

Pot designs and capacities vary, so all pot-fill quantities should be treated as approximate.