Anthurium care guide

Anthurium blooms almost all year with glossy, heart-shaped flowers in red, pink, white, or purple. Each one lasts for weeks. With bright light and a chunky mix, it keeps making more.

The shiny “flower” is a spathe, a waxy leaf. The real flowers are tiny bumps on the spike in the center.

Light

Give it bright, indirect light. A spot near an east window is ideal. A few feet back from a south or west window works too.

Light is the key to flowers. In low light, it grows leaves but stops blooming. Hot direct sun scorches the leaves and fades the spathes.

Water

Water when the top 2 to 3 cm (1 in) of soil is dry. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer.

Anthuriums grow on trees in the wild, so their roots rot in soggy soil. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use a chunky mix. Combine orchid bark, perlite, and potting soil in about equal parts.

Repot every two years in spring, one size up. Roots often grow up and out of the soil. Cover them with fresh mix when you repot, or let them be. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

Anthuriums like humid air. Dry winter air browns the leaf edges. A humidifier or a group of plants helps.

Keep it between 18 and 27°C (65 and 80°F). Keep it away from cold windows, drafts, and heat vents.

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. A fertilizer a little higher in phosphorus can help flowering. Skip winter.

Pruning

Cut faded flowers off at the base of their stem. A spathe that turns green or brown is done. Cut yellow leaves off at the base.

Wear gloves. The sap irritates skin.

Getting it to bloom

1. More light. This fixes most problems.
2. Steady water, with the top of the soil drying between drinks.
3. Regular, weak feeding in spring and summer.
4. A snug pot. A pot too big grows roots and leaves, not flowers.

Propagation

Big anthuriums form several crowns. When you repot, pull or cut them apart, each with its own roots.

You can also cut a stem piece that has aerial roots on it. Pot it in damp, chunky mix. It roots in a few weeks.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
No flowers	Not enough light
Yellow leaves, wet soil	Too much water
Brown, crispy leaf edges	Dry air or dry soil
Brown spots with yellow edges	Too much water, or leaf spot from wet leaves
Pale, scorched patches	Direct sun
Small, green spathes	Low light, or an old flower

Pests

Mealybugs, scale, thrips, and spider mites can show up. Check under the leaves and in the folds of new growth. Fungus gnats mean the soil stays wet too long. Read how to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists anthurium, also called flamingo flower, as toxic to cats and dogs. It contains calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing causes mouth pain, drooling, and vomiting. Keep it out of reach.

Varieties

• Red anthurium is the classic.
• Pink, white, purple, and green types are common too.
• Small types stay under 30 cm (1 ft).
• Anthurium clarinervium has velvety, heart-shaped leaves with white veins. It is grown for its leaves, not its flowers.
• Crystal anthurium has big, velvety leaves with silver veins.
• Queen anthurium has long, hanging, velvet leaves. It needs high humidity.