From my perspective as an Anthurium, the journey into water is a significant but manageable shift. For my entire life, my roots have been nestled in soil, a complex ecosystem that provides both physical support and a careful balance of moisture and air. The key to a successful transition is timing and gentleness. Please choose a moment when I am healthy and actively growing, typically in the warmer months. Carefully remove me from my pot and gently wash every particle of soil from my roots under lukewarm, slow-running water. This is crucial; any leftover soil will decompose in the water and cause harmful bacteria to grow, which can rot my roots. Be patient and thorough during this cleaning process, as it sets the foundation for my new aquatic life.
The choice of container is vital for my well-being. I need a vessel, preferably glass, that allows some light to reach my roots. We Anthuriums are epiphytes in the wild, often growing on other trees with our roots exposed to dappled light. This light exposure helps with photosynthesis and keeps my roots healthy. The container should be tall enough to submerge my roots but leave my crown (the base where my stems meet the roots) completely above water. If my crown is submerged, it will almost certainly rot, which would be fatal. A narrow-necked vase or a specially designed semi-hydroponic pot is ideal, as it can support my body and keep my crown dry while my roots dangle freely below.
Water is now my sole medium, so its quality is paramount. Tap water often contains chlorine, chloramines, and dissolved minerals like fluoride and calcium, which can slowly burn my root tips and hinder my growth. The best water for me is pure—rainwater, distilled water, or filtered water is ideal. If you must use tap water, let it sit out for 24 hours to allow the chlorine to evaporate. You should only fill the container so that the bottom one-third to one-half of my root system is submerged. This leaves the upper roots in the humid airspace of the vessel, allowing them to breathe. Oxygen to my roots is just as important as water itself.
Pure water lacks the essential nutrients I extracted from the soil. After about two to four weeks in plain water, once I've shown signs of adapting (perhaps by producing a new, small root), you must begin feeding me. However, my new aquatic roots are very sensitive. You must use a hydroponic-specific fertilizer, which is formulated to be readily available and gentle on roots. Dilute it to a very weak strength, perhaps one-quarter of the recommended dose on the bottle. Add this nutrient solution to my water. My water should be changed completely every two to four weeks. This refreshes the oxygen content, flushes out any waste products my roots may release, and prevents the buildup of algae. During the change, rinse my roots gently with fresh water before placing me back in the clean, nutrient-enriched solution.
Even though my roots are in water, my foliage still requires the same bright, indirect light I always needed. Direct sunlight will scorch my leaves and also heat the water in the glass vase, essentially creating a hot bath that will cook my roots. Place me in a spot with plenty of filtered light. I also thrive in the warm, humid conditions I evolved in. Average room humidity is acceptable, but I will truly flourish if the air is more humid. You might notice a white, fuzzy substance on the parts of my roots exposed to air; this is normal and are my root hairs, a sign of a healthy root system adapting to seek moisture from the humidity. With the right care, I will continue to grow and may even reward you with my beautiful, long-lasting flowers, known as spathes, while living my life in water.
