Anthurium

Anthuriums are a stunning houseplant that produces long-lasting, eye-catching flowers. They are very easy to care for with a little understanding of their special needs.

An anthurium is an exotic flowering plant that is popular with indoor gardeners and florists for its brightly coloured, long-lasting flowers. Its unique, long spiky bracts are a feast for the eyes and can be found in a wide range of colours. Anthuriums are tropical plants and grow best in warm, bright indirect light, away from drafty windows and HVAC vents. They prefer a rich, well-draining potting mix and moderate to high humidity.

The spiky bracts of an anthurium are technically not flowers at all but a leaf-like sheath called a spathe that is enclosing a spike of tiny florets, which are arranged in a symmetrical pattern. They are not a true flower but anthuriums often look like they have flowers, and the colourful section of the sheath is sometimes referred to as the “flower”.

Like many tropical houseplants, anthuriums require high humidity to thrive. They should be misted regularly to raise the humidity, especially in colder environments. They also thrive when fed regularly. Anthuriums can be a bit fussy about temperature, with cooler temperatures usually producing more foliage growth and less flowers, but once the temperature is right, anthuriums can produce prolific blooms all year round.

Anthuriums require bright indirect light, but they do not like direct sunlight. They will tolerate medium light, but they will not produce as many flowers in this environment. If you are growing anthuriums in a window, be sure to shade the leaves with other plants or sheer curtains to avoid scorching them.

Is Anthurium a Good Indoor Plant?

Water your anthurium when the soil feels dry to the touch. Do not overwater anthuriums, as they are susceptible to root rot. It’s important to water anthuriums in a way that allows the soil to drain quickly, and you can test this by sticking your finger into the soil about an inch deep.

Feed your anthurium once a week with a half-strength fertiliser. Fertilise anthuriums more frequently in spring and summer when they are actively growing, but be careful not to over-fertilize, as too much can lead to yellow spotting on the foliage. Pests that can affect anthuriums include red spider mite, scale insects and mealy bugs.

If you notice these pests on your anthurium, treat them with insecticidal soap or a horticultural oil. A good insecticide for anthuriums is permethrin, which can be purchased online or at most home and garden stores. You can also use neem oil, but it may take longer to work. Be sure to wear rubber gloves when handling anthuriums, as their sap can irritate the skin. Be particularly careful when touching the flowers as they are very prickly, and keep anthuriums out of reach from children and pets. If ingested, anthuriums are toxic to pets and children. Be especially careful when trimming anthuriums because the sharp prickles can cause severe cuts and lacerations.