I live in Leicester in the East Midlands, UK. I was given a large, beautiful, healthy Anthuria plant last September. It didn't have good care instructions, so I left it in my utility room over the winter. It has now completely 'died'. I cut off all the dead leaves and flowers, till there is basically nothing left but brown stumps. I could see a tiny growing tip inside one of the leaf 'stumps', so I've brought it into the lounge in the hope that it can recover. My question is: will it? Is it worth persevering with it, or is it more likely to just die completely? What can I do to make recovery more likely? It was such a beautiful plant, seems a shame to give up on it.

From your very vague description, it seems like there is still some hope for your Anthurium. Take it to your sink and give it a good soak so that the potting mix gets thoroughly wet. Then, move it to a moderately sunny windowsill. Cut back any very long, bare stems.

A photo that shows the plant including its pot would be helpful.

Hi there! Was the utility room receiving enough light for the plant? It needs bright indirect light and higher moisture than most houseplants. Was it near a heater? If so, that was the cause. How was your watering schedule?

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated. Farida: no not near a heater, it was in a utility room with no direct sunlight but plenty of diffuse light. I might have over-watered it, the instructions which came with it were very vague and not plant-specific. It might also have got too cold. We've had some snow and frost recently, and with the room being unheated, it has got quite cold in there. WillC: not much point taking a photo now. Just imagine a few brown twigs sticking out of the soil, and you've pretty much got it. Some of those twigs are very soft and crumbly too, am thinking I might just get another plant. Thanks again.

Steph - You mentioned a "tiny growing tip" and it would be instructive to see that. The way that a plant is potted is also instructive. It is certainly ok to toss the plant and get a new one. But it is also important to understand what went wrong so you don't make the same mistake again. We still don't know what watering routine you followed, what you mean by diffuse light and how cold it might have gotten.