Anthurium Care Guide: How to Keep It Flowering Year-Round
Anthurium: The Lacquered Flower That Never Stops
Anthurium is one of the most striking flowering houseplants you can grow. The colourful "flowers" are actually modified leaves (spathes) in red, pink, white, burgundy, or near-black. The true flower is the small spadix at the centre.
With proper care, anthurium blooms practically year-round — new spathes appear every 2-3 months. Few houseplants offer this combination of bold colour and continuous flowering.
Popular Species and Varieties
Anthurium andreanum
Large glossy spathes up to 15 cm across. The most widely sold species.
- Red: Baron, Tropical, Red Champion
- Pink: Lanai, Sweety
- White: White Champion, Midori (greenish-white)
- Dark: Black Love, Zizou (near-black)
- Bicolour: Tricolor (green-red)
Anthurium scherzerianum
More compact than andreanum. Easily identified by the spirally curled spadix. More tolerant of dry air than most anthuriums.
Decorative-foliage anthuriums
- Anthurium clarinervium — large velvety leaves with dramatic white venation. Grown primarily for foliage.
- Anthurium magnificum — similar, with large dark-green leaves.
Care Guide
Light
Anthurium needs bright indirect light. In nature it grows on the forest floor under a tree canopy — direct midday sun will scorch the leaves.
- Best: east or west windowsill, or bright indirect light spot
- Acceptable: 1-1.5 m from a south window with light curtain
- Avoid: direct afternoon sun
- Too little light: flowering stops, leaves get smaller
Watering
| Season | Frequency | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Spring-Summer | Every 4-5 days | Top 2-3 cm of soil feels dry |
| Autumn-Winter | Every 7-10 days | Wait a little longer |
- Soft, room-temperature water: filtered, rainwater, or tap water left standing 24h
- Hard, chlorinated water causes leaf spots and poor growth
- Water around the edge of the pot, not into the centre of the plant
- Empty the saucer 30 minutes after watering
Humidity — critically important
Anthurium is a tropical plant. Ideal humidity: 60-80%.
Ways to raise humidity:
- Pebble tray with water beneath the pot (evaporation, not direct contact)
- Humidifier nearby
- Grouping with other plants
- Misting — but NOT onto the spathe (leaves water marks)
Especially important in winter when heating systems dry indoor air significantly.
Temperature
- Optimal range: 18-25°C
- Minimum: +15°C (below this: growth stops, stress)
- Avoid: temperature swings, cold draughts, cold windowsills in winter
Soil
Anthurium needs a loose, well-draining, slightly acidic mix.
- Orchid bark mix + peat-based potting mix (50/50)
- Or: peat + perlite + small orchid bark (3:1:1)
- pH 5.5-6.5
- Never: heavy clay soil or over-composted mixes
Feeding
- Active growth and flowering: every 2 weeks, flowering plant fertiliser (high P and K)
- Autumn-winter: once a month or skip entirely
- Too much nitrogen → lush leaves but no flowers
Why Won't Anthurium Flower?
| Cause | Signs | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Insufficient light | Dark leaves reaching toward window | Move closer to light source |
| Too warm in winter | No rest period, continuous growth | Provide 15-18°C for 1-2 winter months |
| Wrong fertiliser | Strong leaves, zero flowers | Switch to phosphorus-potassium fertiliser |
| Wrong pot size | Roots escaping OR waterlogged soil | Repot to a pot 2-3 cm wider |
| Low humidity | Dry leaf tips, buds drying before opening | Raise humidity |
Why Are the Leaves Turning Yellow?
| Symptom | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Lower old leaves yellowing | Natural ageing | Normal — remove them |
| Young leaves yellowing | Nutrient deficiency, high pH | Chelated iron feed, soften water |
| Yellow patches on leaves | Direct sun scorch | Move away from direct sun |
| Soft, pale yellow leaves | Overwatering, root rot | Repot urgently |
| Dark green with yellow patches | Hard water mineral buildup | Switch to soft water |
Why Do Leaf Tips Turn Black?
Black tips almost always mean cold damage or hard water. Check: is the plant sitting near a cold window in winter? Any cold draughts?
Repotting
- Young plants: every year in spring
- Mature plants: every 2-3 years, or when roots fill the pot
- New pot: 2-3 cm wider, with drainage holes
- Note: anthurium actually flowers better when slightly root-bound — don't rush to upsize
After repotting, keep in shade for 1-2 weeks while the plant adjusts.
Propagation
Division — at repotting time, carefully separate the plant into sections, each with roots and 2-3 leaves.
Stem cuttings — take a tip cutting with 2-3 leaves and aerial roots. Root in moist moss or perlite. 4-8 weeks to root.
FAQ
Is anthurium toxic? Yes — moderately toxic to cats, dogs, and humans if ingested. Contains calcium oxalate crystals. Causes burning and irritation of mucous membranes. Keep away from children and pets. Wear gloves when pruning — the sap can irritate skin.
How long does each anthurium "flower" last? Each spathe holds for 4-8 weeks. With good care, new spathes follow every 2-3 months — effectively year-round bloom.
Why has my spathe turned green? This is completely normal. All anthuriums age from their vivid colour to green. When a spathe goes green, the flower has finished its cycle — cut it off to encourage the next.
Can I keep anthurium in a bedroom? The plant is safe to be near (it's only a problem if eaten), but due to mild toxicity it's best kept out of children's or pets' reach. For air purification, it's a reasonable choice.
Why isn't my anthurium bud opening? Usually: very low humidity. The bud dries out before it can open. Increase humidity and move away from radiators.
How do I choose between Anthurium andreanum and scherzerianum? Andreanum: larger, showier spathes, more dramatic. Scherzerianum: smaller, more compact, more forgiving of dry air — better for offices or less humid rooms.
Buy Anthurium in Tashkent
Studio Amina delivers anthuriums in beautiful pots — red, pink, white, and dark varieties. A vibrant gift for housewarming, birthday, or any occasion. Delivery across Tashkent in 1-2 hours.