VLoveof Nature

Flamingo flower

Anthurium andraeanum

Back to the plant library
Flamingo flower · Anthurium andraeanum

Waxy, glossy red spathes that last long in a bright room.

Care and placement

Prefers bright indirect light, 60–80% humidity and 18–29 °C (65–85 °F); keep an airy mix evenly moist, ideally with rain or filtered water.

Draft mature dimensions

Maximum height (cm): 60 cm · Maximum spread (cm): 50 cm

Things to consider

The genus Anthurium contains insoluble calcium oxalates: toxic to dogs, cats and horses, causing burning, swollen mouth, drooling, vomiting (ASPCA). Sap irritates skin. Keep pets and children from chewing it.

Unknown evidence does not mean safe. Decorative plants are not automatically edible.

Information is compiled from multiple reputable sources for reference. If you spot an error, please contact us so we can check and update it.

Send feedback

How to grow and care for it

  1. Planting and pot

    Use an airy epiphyte/aroid mix (bark, charcoal, coir, perlite) at slightly acidic to neutral pH (about 5.5–6.5) in a pot with drainage holes. Repot every 2–3 years or when roots surface.

  2. Light

    Bright indirect light. Too little light is the number-one reason it does not bloom; direct sun scorches leaves and spathes.

  3. Watering

    Let the top 2–3 cm dry, then water thoroughly with good drainage; less in autumn and winter. Keep humidity at 60% or more with a pebble tray, humidifier or grouped plants.

  4. Feeding

    Use a phosphorus-rich or balanced fertilizer, diluted, every 4–8 weeks in the growing season; none in winter. Too much nitrogen gives leaves instead of flowers.

  5. Pruning

    Cut spent flowers off at the base and remove old or damaged leaves.

  6. Propagation

    Divide at repotting: separate sections with their own roots and at least 2–3 leaves. Or take a stem cutting with at least two leaves and an aerial root, let it callus for a day, pot in moist airy mix and cover to hold humidity; roots form in 4–6 weeks.

  7. Pests and common problems

    Root rot with waterlogged or compacted mix. No blooms usually means low light, excess nitrogen, humidity below 60%, temperature below 18 °C, or a pot-bound plant in exhausted mix. Mealybugs and spider mites may appear.

  8. For more flowers

    For more blooms (glossy red spathes): give plenty of bright indirect light, keep warm at 18–29 °C and 60–80% humidity, feed a phosphorus-rich fertilizer regularly, refresh exhausted mix and remove spent flowers.