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How to Care for Anthuriums

Photo Credit
Pixabay
Botanical Name
Anthurium spp.
Plant Type
Houseplants
Sun Exposure
Part Sun
Flower Color
Orange
Pink
Purple
Red
White

Growing Anthurium Plants: Watering, Lighting, Repotting, and Pests

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Anthurium (also called flamingo flower or Hawaiian love plant) is grown for its brightly colored flower spathes and ornamental dark green leaves. They are a classic and lovely houseplant, especially when given as a gift. Here’s how to care for anthuriums in your home!

Look for varieties with flower colors beyond the usual red. Purple, lavender, pink, and hot-orange blooms cover plants 10 months out of the year. There can be dozens of flowers on the plant at a time! 

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Planting

How to Plant Anthuriums

  • Use well-draining soil with lots of organic matter.
  • Anthuriums prefer bright but indirect light. In direct sun, they may dry out too much, and leaves may develop brown, burnt tips.
  • The plant prefers a location with temperatures between 60° and 85°F (15.5° to 29°C).

Growing

How to Care for Anthuriums

  • Anthuriums like humid conditions. Keep the pot on a tray of moist gravel or mist with water several times a week.
  • Keep soil moist, but not wet. Allow the top inch or so of soil to dry slightly between waterings.
  • Fertilize with a houseplant fertilizer high in phosphorus every 2 weeks in spring and summer.
  • Repot every 2 years, or when the plant becomes pot-bound.
  • Keep away from pets and children, as parts of the plant can cause mouth irritation and stomach distress if ingested. 

Types

  • Anthurium andraeanum has large heart-shaped waxy spathes with a spikey white flower in the center.
    • A. andraeanum ‘Hookuloa’ has bright white spathes with a pale yellow center flower.
    • A. andraeanum ‘Purple Plum’ is all purple, even the stalks. 
  • A. scherzerianum has arrow-shaped leaves and a curly orange flower spike.
     

Gardening Products

Pests/Diseases

The plant is usually not affected by other pests or diseases.

Wit and Wisdom

  • Anthurium can be grown in a tall glass of water! Keep the glass two-thirds full with water and add a drop or two of liquid houseplant fertilizer to the water every 10 to 14 days. Fill the bottom 3 inches of the glass with small pebbles to anchor roots.
  • Anthuriums have come to symbolize hospitality with their flowers that inspire happiness and abundance. 

Houseplant Guides
About The Author
Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>B Wills</span> Thu, 12/15/2022 - 11:39
Growing up in Hawai'i, I also heard anthurium called "little boy flower" (for obvious reasons).