How To Care For Plants

How to care for an Anthurium (flamingo flower)

Anthurium andraeanum

Care facts verified
Anthurium (flamingo flower) (Anthurium andraeanum), the species that wants bright indirect light to keep it flowering
Photo: Michael Gaylard from Horsham, UKCC BY 2.0source

Those glossy red "flowers" are actually waxy bracts, and an anthurium keeps producing them as long as it gets bright indirect light and warmth. Water once the top inch of mix dries, keep it above 16 °C, and give it humidity — cold and a soggy crown are the two things it will not forgive.

Care at a glance

Light
Bright indirect light to keep it floweringToo little light and it stops producing bracts; direct summer sun scorches the leaves. A spot near a bright window, out of the harshest rays, hits the balance.
Water
When the top 2–3 cm of mix is dryKeep it lightly moist in summer but never waterlogged; water sparingly in winter. Let the pot drain fully each time.
Soil
Loose, airy aroid mix with barkRHS suggests two parts ericaceous compost to one part perlite and one part orchid bark, so the fleshy roots get air.
Humidity
High — aim for 60–80%Stand it on a tray of moist pebbles or group it with other tropicals.
Temperature
16–30 °C (60–85 °F); never below 16 °CCold below 10 °C, or cold water on the roots, can damage or kill it.
Difficulty
ModerateStraightforward once warm and humid, but it sulks and stops blooming if either drops.
Pets
Toxic to petsToxic to cats and dogs — contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense oral burning, drooling, and difficulty swallowing if chewed (ASPCA).

Where it comes from

Native rangeTropical rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador

Propagation

The reliable method is division at repotting time. Tip the plant out, find a clump that has its own roots and at least one or two leaves, and gently tease it away from the parent. Pot each division into its own container of airy aroid mix and keep it warm and humid while it settles. Wear gloves — the sap irritates skin.

Common problems

  • Leaves yellowing all over

    Likely cause: Overwatering or cold are the usual culprits; the roots dislike sitting wet or chilly.

    Fix: Let the mix dry to the second knuckle before watering, move it somewhere warmer, and check the pot is draining.

  • Brown, crispy leaf tips

    Likely cause: Air too dry, or a build-up of fertiliser salts in the mix.

    Fix: Raise humidity with a pebble tray and flush the pot occasionally with plenty of plain water.

  • Plenty of leaves but no coloured bracts

    Likely cause: Not enough light to fund flowering.

    Fix: Move it closer to a bright window without putting it in scorching direct sun, and feed with a balanced fertiliser in the growing season.

Frequently asked questions

Is the red part of an anthurium a flower or a leaf?

It is a modified leaf called a spathe. The actual tiny flowers run along the upright spike — the spadix — poking out of the centre of the coloured spathe.

How do I get my anthurium to keep producing those red bracts?

Consistent bright indirect light is the key lever, backed by warmth above 16 °C and a balanced feed through spring and summer. Shade and cold are why a healthy-looking plant stops blooming.

Are anthuriums dangerous to cats and dogs?

Yes. The ASPCA lists them as toxic — the leaves and stems hold insoluble calcium oxalate crystals that cause painful mouth irritation and drooling if a pet chews them. Keep it out of reach.

Why is my flamingo flower's spadix turning brown and the bract fading?

That is just an ageing bloom reaching the end of its run. Snip the old flower stalk off at the base and the plant will channel its energy into the next one.

Sources

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