Plants
Flamingo Flower
Anthurium andraeanum · Aronstabgewächse (Araceae)
The anthurium is one of the most rewarding flowering houseplants of all: its lacquer-red, heart-shaped spathe with the upright spadix glows for many weeks, often nearly all year round. We love it because it reliably brings colour into the living room even for beginners and looks handsome through its glossy, leathery leaves even when not in bloom. A vigorous, carefully chosen plant already carries several blooms and buds at the same time when it arrives.
- Light
- Bright without direct midday sun; an east- or west-facing window is ideal. Too little light prevents flowering, while harsh sun scorches the leaves.
- Watering
- Keep evenly slightly moist, let the top layer of soil dry off, then water with low-lime water. Avoid waterlogging and empty the cachepot.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Anthurium andraeanum
In the trade you mainly encounter two species: the large flamingo flower (Anthurium andraeanum) with a broad, smooth heart-shaped spathe and a long, straight spadix, and the smaller flamingo flower (Anthurium scherzerianum) with a smaller, often wavy spathe and a characteristically curved spadix. The andraeanum cultivars dominate the range because their blooms are especially large and long-lasting.
The colour palette reaches far beyond the classic signal red. Cultivars such as Champion in bold red, Acropolis in pure white, Pink Champion in soft pink or the near-black Black Queen in dark wine red show how versatile the genus has become through breeding. Multicoloured and green-washed types have been on the rise in recent years.
In floristry we value the anthurium twice over: as a robust potted plant for planters and as an exceptionally durable cut flower that sets accents in modern, graphic bouquets. As a houseplant it looks just as good on its own in a plain cachepot as it does in a green group with philodendron, calathea and fern, with which it shares its origin and requirements.
Quality shows in firm, unkinked foliage, glossy spathes without brown edges and several buds in the heart of the plant. We prefer compact, well-rooted specimens with a clear flower colour, because that way the plant blooms reliably again and remains an eye-catcher for years.
Care
- 01Choose a bright spot without harsh midday sun; an east- or west-facing window is ideal, as direct sun scorches the leaves.
- 02Keep the substrate evenly slightly moist but never waterlogged: let the top layer of soil dry off, then water with low-lime, room-temperature water.
- 03Always avoid standing water and empty the cachepot after watering, otherwise root rot and brown leaf tips can occur.
- 04High humidity encourages flowering: mist occasionally with soft water or place a saucer of expanded clay and water underneath.
- 05Feed roughly every two weeks with foliage-plant fertiliser from spring to autumn, more sparingly in winter.
- 06Pull out or cleanly cut away spent spathes and wilted leaves at the base so energy flows into new buds.
- 07Keep temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees, not below 16 degrees, and away from cold draughts.
Frequently asked
- Is the anthurium toxic to cats, dogs and children?
- Yes. All parts of the plant contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals and are considered mildly toxic. If eaten it can cause burning in the mouth, increased drooling, difficulty swallowing and vomiting, and the sap can also irritate the skin. Keep the anthurium out of reach of pets and small children, and wear gloves when cutting it.
- Why has my anthurium stopped flowering?
- Usually it lacks light or nutrients. A brighter spot without harsh sun, regular feeding in summer and a short, slightly cooler rest at 16 to 18 degrees in winter encourage bud formation. An oversized pot also slows flowering, because the plant first fills the root space.
- How long does the anthurium last and does it flower all year?
- As a houseplant the anthurium is very long-lived and can grow for many years with good care. A single bloom often lasts six to eight weeks, and healthy plants push out new buds almost all year round, with a peak in spring and summer.
- What water should I use and how often should I water?
- Water as soon as the top layer of substrate has dried off, roughly once or twice a week depending on the location. Low-lime, room-temperature water such as rainwater or stale tap water is ideal. More important than a fixed rhythm is that water never sits in the cachepot.