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! 

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 andraeanumhas 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. scherzerianumhas arrow-shaped leaves and a curly orange flower spike.
  

Pests/Diseases

• Mites
• Scale insects
• Fungus gnats
• Mealy-bugs
• Nematodes

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.