Anthurium · flamingo flower
An anthurium is the plant with the shiny, heart-shaped blooms that look almost lacquered. Those blooms last for weeks, and a happy plant keeps sending up new ones year-round.
The colored “flower” is really a waxy leaf called a spathe. The true flowers are tiny and packed along the spike in the center. Anthuriums grow on trees and in loose debris in tropical forests, so they want light, warmth, humidity and roots that can breathe.
Bright light makes blooms
An anthurium in good, bright light blooms over and over. One in a dim corner stays green. Put it close to a bright window, out of direct afternoon sun.
Then water it well and let the top inch dry before the next drink. Its roots need air as much as water, so a pot standing in water is the quickest way to lose it.
Finding the right spot
Think bright room, not sunny windowsill.
- A spot near an east window, or a few feet back from a south or west one, is ideal.
- A little morning sun is fine. Strong afternoon sun bleaches and burns the leaves.
- Keep it away from heat vents, fireplaces and cold doors.
- Bathrooms and kitchens with a bright window suit it well, because the air there is more humid.
Everyday care
Anthurium
Anthurium andraeanum
- Light
- Bright, indirect light for the most blooms. It survives in medium light but blooms much less.
- Water
- About once a week. Water thoroughly when the top inch is dry, then let it drain completely.
- Humidity & temperature
- 65–85°F, never below 60°F. It loves humidity: a pebble tray or a humidifier helps a lot in winter.
- Feeding
- Half-strength food for blooming plants every six to eight weeks from spring through early fall.
- Blooms
- Each bloom lasts four to eight weeks. When it fades or turns green, cut its stem off near the base.
- Cleaning
- Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth now and then. Skip leaf-shine sprays.
Toxic to cats and dogs. The sap contains crystals that cause mouth pain, drooling, pawing at the face and vomiting. Keep it out of reach. If any part is eaten, call your veterinarian.
Getting more blooms
If your anthurium has gone green, the answer is almost always light.
- Move it to the brightest spot you have that doesn’t get hot afternoon sun.
- Feed lightly with a flowering-plant food in spring and summer.
- Keep the humidity up and the temperature steady.
- Be patient: new blooms take a couple of months to form once conditions are right.
The eastern North Carolina year
What to do through our Johnston County seasons.
| Season | What to do |
|---|---|
| SpringMarch–May | New growth and new blooms. Start feeding, and repot now if it needs it. |
| SummerJune–August | It can sit on a shaded porch once nights stay above 60°F. Keep it out of direct sun and check the soil often. |
| FallSeptember–November | Bring it inside by mid-September, before nights cool down. Stop feeding by October. |
| WinterDecember–February | Heat pumps dry the air. Add humidity, keep it off cold windowsills at night, and water a little less. |
Repotting
Repot every two years or so in spring, when roots crowd the pot or climb out of the soil. Go up one size, use a chunky, airy mix (an orchid bark mix blended with potting soil works well), and keep the plant at the same depth.
Quick fixes
Brown leaf tips
Dry air or uneven watering. Add humidity and water as soon as the top inch is dry.
Yellow lower leaves
Usually too much water. Let it dry more between drinks and make sure it drains.
No new blooms
Not enough light. Move it closer to a bright window.
Bloom turned green
That is how it ages. Cut the stem at the base.
Brown patches on leaves
Sunburn or a cold window. Move it.
Roots climbing out of the soil
Normal for an anthurium. Cover them with a little fresh mix, or repot in spring.
Common questions
How long do anthurium blooms last?
Each bloom lasts about four to eight weeks, and a healthy plant makes new ones through the year.
How often do I water an anthurium?
About once a week, when the top inch of soil is dry. Never let it stand in water.
Why are the leaf tips brown?
Most often dry winter air. A pebble tray or humidifier helps.
Is an anthurium safe for cats?
No. It is toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of reach.
More plant care guides
Peace Lily
Spathiphyllum
Medium light, a drink when it droops, and filtered water for clean leaf tips.
Read the guide →Bromeliad
Guzmania, Vriesea, Aechmea and more
Water the cup in the center, not the soil. The color lasts for months.
Read the guide →Phalaenopsis Orchid
Phalaenopsis (moth orchid)
Bright, indirect light and water once the roots turn silver. Blooms last for months.
Read the guide →About pets and plants: The pet notes in this guide are general plant knowledge from our florists, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet chews or swallows any part of a plant, contact a licensed veterinarian right away, or call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. If a person swallows any part of a plant, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.
“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”1 Corinthians 3:7
Questions about your plant?
Call or text us. We are always glad to help, whether you bought it from us or not.
Call or text (984) 250-7771 Clayton Florist · 11440 Clayton Blvd, Clayton, NC 27520claytonncflorist.com