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Water-Lily Anthurium
🏠 Indoor

Araceae

How to Care for Water-Lily Anthurium (Anthurium nymphaeifolium)

Anthurium nymphaeifolium

Medium ☀️ Partial shade ⚠️ Toxic to pets

Keep in bright indirect light, water when the top third of soil dries out, and maintain high humidity (70-90%). Avoid cold drafts and direct sunlight. Fertilize monthly during spring and summer.

💧 Watering

Every 7 days

☀️ Light

Partial shade

🌡️ Temperature

16° - 30°C

💨 Humidity

70% - 90%

Categories

What is Water-Lily Anthurium?

Water-Lily Anthurium (Anthurium nymphaeifolium) is a medium-care plant from the Araceae family. Anthurium nymphaeifolium is a rare and striking species native to northern South America, particularly Venezuela and Colombia. It produces large, peltate (shield-shaped) leaves arranged in an impressive rosette, resembling the leaves of water lilies (Nymphaea). This tropical foliage plant is highly...

Water-Lily Anthurium grows up to 90cm, with spread of 100cm, watering every 7 days, 16°C – 30°C, 70–90% humidity. It is suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.

Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs. Without adequate drainage, root rot can develop within 14 days.

How to Care for Water-Lily Anthurium?

TLDR: Water-Lily Anthurium needs Partial shade, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between 16-30°C with 70-90% humidity.

💧

How Often Should You Water Water-Lily Anthurium?

Water approximately every 7 days when the top 3-4 cm of soil are dry. Avoid waterlogging — always use a pot with drainage holes. Reduce watering frequency in winter.

☀️

How Much Light Does Water-Lily Anthurium Need?

Prefers bright indirect light between 2,000 and 10,000 lux. Avoid direct sun which can scorch the large leaves. Best placed near an east- or north-facing window with filtered light.

🪴

What Is the Best Soil for Water-Lily Anthurium?

Use a well-draining, organic-rich mix: combine orchid bark, perlite, and peat or coco coir. Ideal pH between 5.5 and 6.5.

🏺

What Pot Should You Use for Water-Lily Anthurium?

Terracotta or ceramic pot with drainage holes. Avoid plastic pots that retain excess moisture. Medium to large size to accommodate the spreading rosette.

Care Schedule

🌱

Fertilize

Every 30 days

💦

Misting

Every 3 days

🪴

Repot

Every 365 days

What Is Water-Lily Anthurium and Where Does It Come From?

Anthurium nymphaeifolium is a rare and striking species native to northern South America, particularly Venezuela and Colombia. It produces large, peltate (shield-shaped) leaves arranged in an impressive rosette, resembling the leaves of water lilies (Nymphaea). This tropical foliage plant is highly prized by collectors for its exotic, architectural appearance.

How to Propagate Water-Lily Anthurium?

🌱

Clump division

Divide in spring during active growth. Dust cuts with activated charcoal to prevent infection.

  1. 1
    Carefully remove the plant from its pot
  2. 2
    Separate offsets with intact roots using a sterilized knife
  3. 3
    Plant each division in fresh, moist substrate
  4. 4
    Keep in a humid location with indirect light until established

Materials needed:

Sterilized knifeOrchid bark mixActivated charcoalPot with drainage
⏱️ Time: 3-6 weeks 📊 Success rate: high 🗓️ Best season: Spring
🌱

Stem cutting

Use rooting hormone powder to improve success rates. Maintain humidity above 80%.

  1. 1
    Cut a healthy stem with at least one node and one leaf
  2. 2
    Allow the cut end to dry for a few hours
  3. 3
    Plant in moist perlite and sphagnum moss mix
  4. 4
    Keep in a humidity tent at 22-28°C

Materials needed:

Sterilized pruning shearsRooting hormoneSphagnum mossPerlitePlastic bag or humidity tent
⏱️ Time: 4-8 weeks 📊 Success rate: medium 🗓️ Best season: Spring

How Big Does Water-Lily Anthurium Grow?

TLDR: Water-Lily Anthurium can reach up to 90cm tall with Medium growth rate.

📏

Max height

90cm

↔️

Spread

1.0m

📈

Growth rate

Medium

🍃

Foliage

Evergreen

⚠️

Warning: Toxic Plant

This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:

🐱 Cats 🐶 Dogs 👶 Children

Plant Uses

🌺

Ornamental

Great for decoration

💨

Air Purifying

Improves air quality

Is your plant showing symptoms?

Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:

What Diseases Commonly Affect Water-Lily Anthurium?

TLDR: Water-Lily Anthurium is susceptible to 6 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.

Anthracnose

High

Anthracnose is a fungal disease caused by fungi in the genus Colletotrichum that affects many plants, including vegetables, fruits, and trees. The disease thrives in cool, wet conditions, causing dark, sunken lesions on leaves, stems, flowers, and fruits.

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Bacterial Blight

High

Bacterial blight is a serious plant disease caused by pathogenic bacteria that enters plants through wounds or natural openings. It spreads rapidly in warm, wet conditions and can cause significant damage to leaves, stems, and flowers. The bacteria are transmitted by water splash, contaminated tools, and insects.

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Root Rot

High

Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.

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Spider Mites

High

Spider mites are tiny arachnids (less than 1/20 inch long) related to spiders and ticks that feed on plant sap. They thrive in hot, dry conditions and can cause significant damage to ornamental and vegetable plants. During severe infestations, crop losses can reach 14% or higher as these pests disrupt vital plant processes including photosynthesis, carbon dioxide absorption, and transpiration.

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Meaning & Symbolism

Symbol of hospitality, abundance, and tropical exuberance in the cultures of northern South America.

Fun Facts

💡

The epithet 'nymphaeifolium' means 'water-lily leaf' in Latin, referring to the resemblance of its leaves to those of the water lily (Nymphaea)

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In the wild, this species can form rosettes over 1 meter in diameter

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It is one of the few Anthurium species with truly peltate leaves, where the petiole attaches to the center of the leaf blade rather than the edge

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Native to humid tropical forests of Venezuela and Colombia where it grows as an epiphyte or terrestrial plant

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Anthurium nymphaeifolium?
Water approximately every 7 days when the top 3-4 cm of soil feel dry. In winter, reduce to every 10-14 days to avoid root rot.
Is Anthurium nymphaeifolium toxic to pets?
Yes, like all anthuriums it contains calcium oxalate crystals which are toxic to cats, dogs, and humans if ingested. Keep out of reach of pets and children.
What light does Anthurium nymphaeifolium need?
Bright indirect light is ideal. Avoid direct sun which scorches the large leaves. An east- or north-facing window with filtered light works best.
Why are the leaves on my Anthurium turning yellow?
Yellowing usually indicates overwatering, nutrient deficiency, or insufficient light. Check soil moisture before watering again and ensure adequate fertilization.
How often should I fertilize?
Fertilize once a month during spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. Skip fertilizing in autumn and winter.

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Sources & References

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