Anthurium is a genus of more than 1,300 tropical species from the Caribbean and Central and South America, according to NC State Extension. Two quite different groups are sold as houseplants:
- Flowering anthuriums, bought in bloom for their glossy, heart-shaped spathes in red, pink, orange or white.
- Foliage anthuriums, collected for large, velvety or textured leaves. They are grown for leaves, not flowers.
Both need the same basics: bright, indirect light, warmth and high humidity.
Anthurium varieties at a glance
Descriptions are from NC State Extension.
| Anthurium | Group | Leaves | Flower | Size indoors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flamingo flower (A. andraeanum) | Flowering | Large, glossy, heart-shaped, up to 30 cm (12 in) | Glossy spathe in red, pink, orange or white; straight spadix | 30–45 cm (1–1.5 ft) tall |
| Pigtail plant (A. scherzerianum) | Flowering | Elongated, glossy, dark green | Red, pink or orange spathe; coiled, corkscrew spadix | Up to 45 cm (1.5 ft) tall |
| A. clarinervium | Foliage | Large, velvety, heart-shaped, dark green with white veins | Orange berries | — |
| Crystal anthurium (A. crystallinum) | Foliage | Large, velvety, heart-shaped, deep green with pale green to silvery-white veins | Purplish berries | — |
| King anthurium (A. veitchii) | Foliage | Up to 1.2 m (4 ft) long, ribbed | — | Large |
| Bird’s nest anthurium (A. hookeri) | Foliage | Rosette of purple-black to dark green leaves | Dark purple | Rosette |
| A. luxurians | Foliage | Blistered texture; chocolate when new, maturing forest green | — | — |
| A. polyschistum | Foliage | Palmately compound, 5–9 wavy leaflets | — | — |
| Pearl laceleaf (A. scandens) | Climbing | Small, lance-shaped, dark green | Greenish spathe; pearl-like white fruit | Small climbing vine |
Flowering anthuriums
Flamingo flower (Anthurium andraeanum)
This is the anthurium in florists’ arrangements, native to Colombia and Ecuador. NC State lists these cultivars by spathe colour:
- ‘Acropolis’: large, glossy white spathe.
- ‘Baron’: compact; pink spathe with green edges.
- ‘Cheers’: pink.
- ‘Florida’: bright red, with a spadix that matures to yellow.
- ‘Midori’: green.
- ‘Rosee Choco’: deep red.
Pigtail plant (Anthurium scherzerianum)
A smaller relative from Costa Rica. Its spadix coils like a corkscrew and its leaves are narrower and longer. NC State recommends medium to high indirect light and temperatures of 16 °C (60 °F) or above. Repot every few years, depending on growth.
Getting flowering anthuriums to rebloom
NC State’s guidance for both species:
- Light: too little light means fewer blooms and slower growth. South- or west-facing windows are best, but keep direct sun off the leaves, which scorches them.
- Feeding: a high-phosphorus fertilizer encourages more blooms.
- Deadheading: prune away old, spent blooms.
Foliage (velvet) anthuriums
The velvet-leaved species, especially A. clarinervium and A. crystallinum, are grown for their veined leaves. NC State notes leaf tips turn brown if humidity is too low, and that many growers keep these plants in terraria or growing cabinets.
We have separate care guides for the two most popular:
Many velvet anthuriums are sold as tissue-culture plantlets. These need a gradual move from high humidity to room air; see acclimating tissue-culture anthuriums.
King anthurium (A. veitchii) has leaves up to 1.2 m (4 ft) long and needs room to hang. Bird’s nest anthurium (A. hookeri) forms a rosette of dark leaves. A. polyschistum has palmately divided leaves that look nothing like a typical anthurium.
Care that applies to every anthurium
From NC State Extension:
- Light: bright, indirect light. Direct sun scorches the leaves.
- Water: when the soil is dry to the touch (for A. andraeanum, when the top 2.5 cm or 1 in is dry). Rainwater or purified water is best. Overwatering causes root rot.
- Temperature: 18–29 °C (65–85 °F). They will not survive winter outdoors outside the tropics.
- Humidity: warm and very humid. Low humidity browns leaf tips.
- Foliage: wipe dust off periodically. Keep water off the leaves and give good air circulation to prevent leaf spots.
- Pests: mealybugs, spider mites, whiteflies, scale, aphids and thrips.
- Propagation: stem cuttings or seed.
For anthurium problems by symptom, see the anthurium plant hub.
Pets
The ASPCA lists flamingo flower as toxic to dogs and cats because of insoluble calcium oxalates. NC State lists the genus as a problem for cats, dogs and children, and notes the sap can irritate skin and eyes.
References
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Anthurium (genus), Anthurium andraeanum, Anthurium scherzerianum
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Flamingo Flower