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Anthurium

Anthurium andraeanum (An-THUR-ee-um an-dray-AY-num)

Family: Araceae Unknown Herbaceous (1-3 ft)

The Flamingo Flower is a strikingly beautiful and popular perennial houseplant that is native to tropical Colombia and Ecuador. It thrives in warm, humid, and shaded rainforests. In its native habitat, it grows as an epiphyte. As a houseplant, the plant will grow 1 to 1.5 feet tall and 9 to 12 inches wide. The leaves are large, glossy, heart-shaped, dark green, and up to 12 inches long. The flowers are glossy, heart-shaped spathes that may be red, pink, orange, or white with a straight white or cream-colored spadix with tiny flowers. After blooming, berry-like fruits appear, but houseplants rarely produce fruits. The Flamingo Flower is a member of the arum family (Araceae). This plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight, moist, well-drained soil, and warm and humid conditions. Direct sun can scorch its leaves. It is best to water the plant when the top inch of the soil feels dry. They prefer temperatures between 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity of 60 to 80%. These plants do not tolerate cold drafts or sudden temperature changes. They are winter hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 11 to 12. Liquid fertilizer is recommended weekly during the plant's growing season. Repot the plant every 2 to 3 years or when it appears rootbound. Repotting is recommended during the spring. The Flamingo Flower can be propagated by division or stem cuttings. The plants are not only decorative, but they also have air-purifying abilities by removing toxins from the air. The flowers of this plant are long-lasting as cut flowers and are very popular with florists. The Flamingo Flower is toxic if ingested by pets or humans. Consider using this tropical plant in your home or office out of the reach of small children or pets. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for aphids, spider mites, mealybugs, and scales. Overwatering can cause root rot. Leaf spots can occur if there is poor air circulation or if the foliage gets wet. Insufficient light or nutrient deficiencies can decrease flower production. Yellowing leaves may occur from overwatering, poor drainage, or lack of nutrients. More information on Anthurium .

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 51 attributes.

How it fits the guild

Guild layer 4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft) Optimal soil pH Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
See companions & conflicts ↓

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Epiphyte; Herbaceous Perennial; Houseplant; Perennial; Poisonous
Life cycle
Perennial
USDA zones
11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
Light
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are simple, alternate, 8 to 12 inches long, heart-shaped, and dark green.
Flower color
Green; Pink; Red/Burgundy; Variegated; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Spadix
Flower detail
The inflorescence includes creamy-yellow spadix with tiny flowers, and a spathe that is wide, flat, and has a waxy appearance. The spathe color varies from red, pink, green, or white, and some cultivars are variegated. The flowers are last up to 4 weeks, and the plant blooms multiple times a year in the proper conditions.
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit detail
The fruit is an elongated, fleshy berry. Indoor plants rarely produce fruits.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Colombia to Ecuador
Distribution
Native to Colombia and Ecuador; Introduced to Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuelan Antilles, and Windward Islands
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Colorful
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Berry
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Hanging Baskets; Houseplants
Design feature
Accent; Specimen
Garden tags
#problem for dogs #perennial #houseplant #herbaceous perennial #epiphytic #interesting flowers #problem for cats #tropical feel #contact dermatitis #container plant #interesting leaves #poisonous if ingested #interiorscape #erect #problem for children #acidic soils tolerant
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs
Resistant to
Humidity
Propagation
Division; Stem Cutting
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Roots; Sap/Juice; Seeds; Stems
Poison symptoms
If ingested, chewing and biting this plant will release toxins and cause symptoms that include drooling, oral pain, mouth, lip, and tongue swelling, difficulty swallowing, decreased appetite, and vomiting. Contac with the sap can cause irritation of the skin and eyes resulting in redness and stinging.
Toxic principle
Calcium oxalate crystals
Contact dermatitis
Yes
Toxicity summary
Low severity poison; parts: Flowers; Fruits; Leaves; Roots; Sap/Juice; Seeds; Stems; contact dermatitis

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.