Anthurium

Meet one of the biggest plant families in the tropics! Anthurium is a genus of more than 900 species from Central and South America, and it comes in two very different styles: flowering types like the flamingo lily (Anthurium andraeanum), with glossy heart-shaped "flowers" in red, pink, white, orange and purple, and foliage stars like Anthurium crystallinum, Anthurium clarinervium and the king anthurium (Anthurium veitchii), loved for their velvety leaves and silvery veins. Flamingo lilies can bloom almost all year round, while the foliage types are the ones collectors chase. Either way, these tropical amigos like warmth, humidity and bright, indirect light.

Browse our anthurium collection or read the Anthurium crystallinum care guide.

  • Toxic to pets and children
  • Repot once every 2 years
  • Fertilize once a month
  • Bright, indirect light
  • Average water

Anthurium, anyone?

Anthurium Clarinervium (S)
Anthurium Clarinervium (S)

Bella

2700
17 cm
10 cm
Red Anthurium (M)
Red Anthurium (M)

Valor

3900
40 cm
15 cm
Pink Anthurium | Flamingo Lily (S)
Pink Anthurium | Flamingo Lily (S)

Jewel

2100
28 cm
10 cm
Red Anthurium (S)
Red Anthurium (S)

Valor

2100
28 cm
10 cm

About Anthurium

Origin

Anthuriums grow wild from Mexico through Central America and the Caribbean down to northern Argentina, mostly in humid rainforests. Many climb or perch on trees, with thick roots that love air as much as water. The flamingo lily comes from Colombia and Ecuador, and Anthurium crystallinum from the rainforests of Panama down to Peru.

Air Purifying

The flamingo lily appears in Dr. Bill Wolverton's follow-up research to NASA's clean-air study, where it removed some formaldehyde, xylene and ammonia in sealed test chambers. In a real home one plant only makes a small dent, so treat cleaner air as a bonus and those blooms as the main event.

Toxicity

Anthuriums are toxic to cats, dogs and people if chewed or eaten. According to the ASPCA they contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which cause mouth pain, swelling, drooling, vomiting and trouble swallowing. Keep this amigo out of reach of pets and little hands, and wear gloves when pruning, since the sap can irritate sensitive skin.

Caring for Anthurium

Watering

Water when the top 25–50% of the soil has dried out, usually about once a week in summer and less often in winter. Flamingo lilies handle drying out a bit more, while crystallinum and other velvet-leaved types like to stay lightly moist and dislike both soggy soil and a completely dry pot. Always let excess water drain away and empty the saucer, because the thick roots of these amigos rot quickly in wet soil.

Light and Placement

Bright, indirect light is key, especially for flowers: in low light flamingo lilies keep making leaves but stop blooming. An east-facing window or a spot a few feet back from a south- or west-facing window is ideal; avoid harsh direct sun, which scorches the leaves. Keep them warm (above 16°C) and away from cold drafts, and give foliage types extra humidity (60% or more) with a humidifier.

Nutrition

Feed every 3–4 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half-strength; for flamingo lilies, a bloom formula slightly higher in phosphorus helps the flowers along. Flush the pot with plain water every few months to wash out salt build-up. Skip the snacks in fall and winter.

Repotting

Repot every 2 years in spring, or sooner if roots circle the pot or climb out over the soil. Use a chunky, airy mix like orchid bark, perlite and coco coir or potting soil, in a pot just 1–2 inches larger with drainage holes. Flamingo lilies bloom best when slightly snug, so don't rush them into a big pot.

Pruning and Flowering

The colorful "flower" of a flamingo lily is actually a waxy leaf called a spathe; the real tiny flowers sit on the spike in the middle (the spadix). Each bloom lasts 6–8 weeks or more, and once it fades or turns green, cut the stem off at the base with clean scissors so the plant puts its energy into new blooms. Foliage types like crystallinum flower too, but their blooms are small and green, so many growers snip them off and let the plant focus on leaves.

Anthurium SOS

Illness

Root rot from soggy soil is this amigo's most common problem, so let the top of the soil dry out and use an airy mix. Brown leaf tips or edges usually mean dry air or tap water salts, while yellowing lower leaves point to overwatering. Watch for spider mites, mealybugs, thrips and scale, especially in dry winter air, and wipe or rinse the leaves now and then to keep pests away.

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