Anthurium (Flamingo Flower) Care: What to Know

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Video Transcript

Welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors! If you’d like to support our show, please use our Amazon affiliate link below.

Today’s video is another viewer-requested topic—Anthurium care! Elizabeth reached out with questions about her large Anthurium plant, which is getting unwieldy. She’s only seeing one or two blooms each spring and is wondering how to encourage more frequent flowering. She also asked about restoring the waxy shine to the leaves, which has diminished due to low humidity.

Let’s dive into how to care for these stunning plants.

✨ What Are Anthuriums?

Anthuriums, often called flamingo flowers, are native to the Andes mountain range in Colombia and Ecuador. They thrive in warm, humid environments. Interestingly, the colorful “flowers” of Anthuriums are actually bracts—modified leaves. The true flowers are the small, yellow spike in the center.

They come in a variety of colors like red, white, pink, and purple. Their waxy leaves are another standout feature. As epiphytes, Anthuriums grow on trees in their natural habitat. Like orchids and Monsteras, they often develop aerial roots—an indicator of their natural growing style. You can choose to trim these or leave them to grow freely.

🌿 How to Care for Anthuriums Indoors

1. Light Requirements

Anthuriums need bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch both leaves and flowers. Ideal locations include a few feet back from a south-facing window or in an east-facing window. They also thrive under full-spectrum grow lights, which replicate sunlight without causing burns.

2. Watering Tips

Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. Avoid overwatering, which causes yellowing leaves, and underwatering, which leads to brown leaf tips and drooping.

Always use lukewarm water—cold water can damage roots and cause leaf spotting. If your tap water contains fluoride or chlorine, consider using RO or distilled water.

3. Humidity Needs

Anthuriums love humidity. If your indoor humidity is below 50%, raise it using:

Humidity trays
Frequent misting
Grouping with other plants
Moving to naturally humid rooms like bathrooms (with adequate light)
Using a humidifier

Check humidity levels with a hygrometer. More plants in the area help increase ambient humidity through transpiration.

4. Temperature Range

Anthuriums prefer 70–90°F (21–32°C). They don’t do well below 60°F. In colder months, consider using a heating mat to keep roots warm. Avoid placing them near HVAC vents, which can dry them out.

5. Fertilizing

During the growing season (March–September), feed monthly with a well-balanced, complete liquid fertilizer diluted to ¼ to ½ strength. Over-fertilizing can damage the plant. As epiphytes, they naturally absorb nutrients in smaller doses from decaying material in their native environment.

FAQ’s -Anthurium (Flamingo Flower) Care 101

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