How to Care for Anthurium andraeanum (Flamingo flower)
Korean name: 안스리움
This tropical plant features heart-shaped glossy petals (spathes) and long flower stalks. It blooms year-round in the right environment.
Key facts
- Category: Flowering plant
- Family: Araceae
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Where to keep: indoors
- Native to: Colombia, Ecuador
- Growth rate: Slow
- Pets: Mildly toxic, so keep pets from chewing on it.
- Air purifying: Helps clean indoor air.
- Flower meaning: Passion, strong heart
- Traits: flowering plant, tropical, heart flower, ornamental
- Also known as: Flamingo flower, Laceleaf
Care Guide
- Light: Bright indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight.
- Watering: Water when the top of the soil is dry. Mist the leaves.
- Soil: Orchid mix or well-draining potting mix.
- Humidity: High humidity required (over 60%)
- Temperature: 18~28°C
- Fertilizer: Fertilizer high in phosphorus once a month from spring to fall.
Detailed care guide
Anthurium is a charming tropical plant known for its glossy, heart-shaped blooms and long flower stalks. With the right conditions, you can enjoy its flowers nearly year-round.
Watering
Water it once the top of the soil has dried. Watering too often before the soil dries out can turn the leaves yellow and mushy, so be careful. Misting the leaves can help prevent them from drying out.
Light
It grows well in bright indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the leaves. Without enough light, the stems can droop or the leaf color can dull.
Humidity
It likes high humidity, needing 60% or more. If it's too dry, the leaf tips can dry out and turn brown. Frequent misting helps maintain humidity.
Temperature
Keep it in a warm environment between 18–28°C. Low temperatures slow growth and flowering, while too much heat can weaken the leaves. Avoid sudden temperature changes.
A common first-timer mistake
The most common mistake is watering it often even while the soil is still moist. Wait until the top of the soil has dried before watering.
If you have pets
If pets eat anthurium, it can cause mild symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. Keep it somewhere they can't reach or chew on.
Season by season
From spring through fall, it grows actively, and giving it a phosphorus-rich fertilizer once a month can help it flower even better. In winter, cut back on watering a bit and make sure the temperature doesn't drop. Check the soil and the overall state of the plant once each time the season changes.
Common problems and fixes
Yellow or mushy leaves are a sign of too much water. Dry, browning leaf tips can mean low humidity, so mist more often, and if light is lacking, the stems will droop. When you spot a problem, find the cause and correct the growing conditions.
Repotting and propagation
Use well-draining soil, and repot once the roots have filled the pot. Mold on the soil surface or roots poking out through the drainage holes are also signs it's time to repot. To propagate, you can carefully snip off and plant new shoots that appear from a healthy stem.
Who it's a good fit for
This plant is a great match for anyone who wants to grow foliage and flowering plants indoors. If you can give it consistent care, along with bright indirect light and high humidity, you'll enjoy its healthy look for even longer. If you want a plant with long-lasting blooms, this is a great pick.
Written by AI from the care facts in this entry. Treat it as a starting point.
Common questions
How often should you water Anthurium andraeanum?
Water when the top of the soil is dry. Mist the leaves. Roughly every 7 days is the baseline; adjust for the season and the spot it sits in.
Where should you keep Anthurium andraeanum?
It likes Bright indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight.. You can grow it indoors. Use Orchid mix or well-draining potting mix..
Is Anthurium andraeanum safe around pets?
Mildly toxic, so keep pets from chewing on it.
Is Anthurium andraeanum good for beginners?
Difficulty: Moderate. Keep it around 18~28°C. Humidity: High humidity required (over 60%). Fertilise Fertilizer high in phosphorus once a month from spring to fall..