Complete Care Guide: Anthurium
Complete Care Guide:
In this article, you'll find…
Plant Info
Care Guide
Lighting
Watering
Humidity
Soil Needs
Types
Propagating
Common Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
Plant Info
There are over 1000 species in the Anthurium genus -- but this one is the most common one in cultivation by far! If someone is talking about 'an anthurium', without specifying another species or variety... they're almost definitely talking about this guy right here. Anthuriums grow from a very short stem -- the leaves are vaguely arrow-shaped (and have a wonderful gloss), borne on long petioles. The blooms also sit on long stems, and can come in many colours and varieties; red, pink, and white are the most common.
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Common Name(s) |
Anthurium, Flamingo Flower, Flamingo Anthurium, Laceleaf |
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Botanical Name |
Anthurium andraeanum |
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Botanical Family |
Araceae, the aroid family |
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Mature Size |
12-18" tall, about the same width. |
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Lighting |
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Watering |
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Humidity |
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Soil Mix |
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Flowers |
One of the focal points! Many different colours, year-round in cultivation. |
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Hardiness |
Not frost-hardy; keep above 15C/60F |
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Native Region |
Ecuador, Colombia |
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Toxicity |
Mildly toxic |
Take a look at this care guide as an infographic!
Care Guide
What you would think are flowers are technically not -- they're called the "spathe", and they're just modified leaves! The true flowers are lining the "spadix", the long, thin part in front. Scientists believe that the spadix can serve as a "landing pad" for this Anthurium's pollinators to land on. All aroid flowers are similar, but some have vastly different uses!
All in all, the anthurium is a very easy-going, forgiving houseplant -- one I personally avoided for far too long!
Lighting
In their natural habitats, they thrive in the shaded understories of South American's tropical rainforests -- direct sunlight can be too intense! Medium light is just fine, but bright (indirect) light will encourage more blooms!
Make sure to check out our general article on lighting!
Watering
Anthuriums are a little thirstier than a lot of houseplants, but I'd still classify them as "medium watering needs". Instead of the top 1/3, let the top 1/4 dry out all the way before you water again, so it'll be a little more often.
The nice thing about anthuriums, though, is that even though they're happiest when they're kept on the moist end of things, they're okay to dry out significantly more between each watering! So, if you're not sure -- wait! It'll be fine in a few days when your decision will be clearer.
Make sure to check out our general article on watering!
Humidity
Since anthuriums live in tropical rainforests, they definitely like it humid! Average household humidity will do, if you must, but you might get brown edges or tips to your leaves or even flowers -- if you can, use a humidifier to bump it up!
Make sure to check out our general article on humidity – including a couple common myths!
Soil Needs
This anthurium is an epiphyte -- meaning that generally, its roots aren't in the soil, but instead it attaches itself to trees! Your mix needs to be airy and chunky for them to be happy and survive!
Suggestion: Start with 1 parts peat-based potting mix or coco coir, mix in 1 part perlite, and 1-2 parts orchid bark. If you're feeling brave, you can even leave out the peat/coir entirely, for a more orchid-esque substrate -- it'll dry out significantly faster, though, so beware!
Don't know why you're adding these things? Check out our article on potting mixes!
Types
There are many different cultivars and varieties of the common Anthurium -- the most common are red, pink, and white, but many other colours are found in cultivation -- just expect to pay up for them! Ditto if you'd like a variegated one.
Propagating
Want more baby plants? Your best bet with this anthurium is to wait for a little baby offset, or "pup", to appear! They'll occasionally grow next to the mother plant, and when they're big enough -- have a few leaves and likely a root structure of their own -- you can use a sharp, clean knife to detach it from its mother!
Common Issues
Anthuriums are extremely easy-going and forgiving plants, with no common problems to speak of!
All houseplants are susceptible to pests, including mealybugs, spider mites, and more. This plant isn't known to be particularly susceptible to any specific pest, though.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do anthuriums grow in trees?
Yes! Anthuriums are epiphytic, meaning that they grow attached to other plants, instead of in the ground.
What is the most common anthurium species?
Anthurium andraeanum -- the subject of this care guide -- is the most common anthurium in cultivation!