The Pigtail Plant is a popular houseplant. It is an evergreen perennial that is native to tropical Costa Rica. The plant is erect and with a clump-forming habit and lance-shaped or narrow oblong, dark green leaves. The bloom has a showy, bright red spathe and an orangish-red corkscrew-like or coiled spadix. This species can grow up to about 1.5 feet tall and 1 foot wide. The Pigtail Plant is very similar to another species, Anthurium andraeanum. The difference is that the Pigtail Plant is smaller, has elongated leaves, and a coiled spadix. Both are members of the Arum family (Araceae). This plant prefers medium to high indirect sunlight, moist well-drained soil, and warm and humid conditions. Too little light will cause the plant to bloom less and grow slower. South or west-facing windows are best. Light and airy soil is required, and water when the soil is dry to the touch. High-phosphorus fertilizer will encourage more blooms, as well as pruning away old spent blooms. Wipe down the leaves of indoor plants periodically to remove dust. It will survive outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12. It prefers temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or above. It can be repotted every few years, depending on its growth. Consider this unique plant for your home or office. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for aphids, scale, mealybugs, thrips, and fungus gnats. Overwatering can lead to root rot. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. If ingested, this plant is toxic for pets and humans. VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Anthurium .
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.
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
Less than 12 inches
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect; Rounded
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Auriculate; Elliptical; Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy; Leathery
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are moderately thick, linear to elliptic or lanceolate. They are from 2 to 8 inches long and 0.75 to 2.5 inches wide.
Flower color
Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Long-lasting; Showy
Flower form
Spadix
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Heart-shaped, colorful spathe and coiled orangish-red spadix. The orange bloom may have red, pink, or orange spathes, the sheathing bract that encloses the flower.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Orange; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit detail
The fruit is an orange to red berry.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Costa Rica
Play value
Attractive Flowers; Colorful
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Berry
Uses (ethnobotany)
Container plant
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Garden tags
#showy flowers #red flowers #interiorscape #problem for dogs #problem for cats #tropical feel #poisonous #spadix #houseplant #herbaceous perennial #orange flowers #container plant #pink flowers #showy leaves #humidity tolerant #clay soils intolerant #long-lasting flowers #perennial #clumping #contact dermatitis #poisonous if ingested #erect #problem for children
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Aphids Found on Flowers and Foliage
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Poisonous to Humans; Problem for Cats; Problem for Children; Problem for Dogs
If ingested, oral irritation, pain and swelling of mouth, tongue, and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. The sap can cause skin or eye irritation upon contact.