Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) is a houseplant worth getting to know properly, and this guide covers exactly how to keep it healthy: light, water, soil, humidity, temperature, feeding, repotting, propagation and the problems that show up when something is off. The care numbers below come from the plant data used for this guide.
Anthurium is an epiphyte with long-lasting, glossy red, pink or white spathes that look like flowers, with large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves with a waxy sheen. The flamingo flower - glossy, heart-shaped spathes in red, pink or white that last for weeks, even months, and keep coming through the year on a happy plant. Once you understand what it wants - and, just as importantly, what it does not want - it is a straightforward plant to keep looking good for years.
Anthurium at a glance
| Care factor | What this plant needs |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Anthurium andraeanum |
| Light | bright indirect |
| Water | weekly; keep soil lightly moist |
| Humidity | moderate to high |
| Temperature | 65–80°F (18–27°C) |
| Repotting | every 1–2 years |
| Pet safety | toxic to cats and dogs |
Light
Give your anthurium bright indirect light. A spot near an east- or west-facing window is usually ideal - bright enough to encourage flowers, gentle enough not to scorch the leaves. Harsh midday sun through a south-facing window can burn the foliage, while too little light gives plenty of leaves and no flowers at all. If the plant stops flowering, light is the first thing to check. Our grow-light calculator can work out how many hours your plant needs.
Watering
Water weekly; keep soil lightly moist. Check the soil with a finger before you water: if the top is still damp, wait; if it is dry, water thoroughly until water runs out of the drainage holes, then let the excess drain away completely and empty the saucer. Never let the plant sit in standing water. Water less in winter, when growth slows, and more in summer, when the plant is actively growing and flowering. Our watering calculator can help you work out a starting routine for your pot size, and the watering schedule generator can turn it into a plan you can follow.
Humidity and temperature
Anthurium prefers moderate to high humidity and temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C). Most homes sit within that temperature range for most of the year, so temperature is rarely a problem indoors - the things to watch are cold draughts in winter, radiators that dry the air, and cold windows that chill the leaves overnight. Keep the plant away from all three. In a heated home in winter the air can be much drier than this plant likes, and the first sign is usually brown, crispy leaf edges or tips. A pebble tray under the pot, grouping plants together, or a small humidifier all raise the humidity around the plant. Misting does very little - the water evaporates in minutes. Our humidity and temperature checker can tell you whether your room suits this plant.
Soil and potting
Use a chunky, airy mix with bark and perlite, much like an orchid mix. A pot with drainage holes is not optional - without one, water has nowhere to go and root rot follows. Fresh mix every year or two keeps the soil from compacting and gives the roots air as well as water. Our potting-mix calculator can work out the parts for a homemade mix for your pot size.
Repotting
Repot every 1–2 years, or sooner if roots are circling out of the drainage holes or pushing out of the top of the pot. Move up only one pot size - a pot that is too big holds wet mix the roots cannot use - and repot in spring, when the plant is about to grow. Fresh mix gives the roots a new supply of air and nutrients. Our repotting calculator can help you work out the next pot size and how much fresh mix you will need.
Feeding
Feed during the growing season, in spring and summer, with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half strength, and do not feed in autumn and winter when the plant is barely growing. Flowering plants use more nutrients than foliage plants, so regular light feeding through the growing season supports more blooms - but always follow the label, because excess salts burn the roots and show up as brown leaf tips.
Propagation
Anthurium is propagated by stem cuttings and division. Divide a mature plant when repotting, or take a stem cutting with aerial roots in spring and pot it in a chunky mix. Keep the cutting warm and humid until it is growing strongly.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No blooms | too little light or plant resting | Move the plant to brighter light and check that it is getting its rest period - a plant that never rests, or never gets enough light, will grow leaves and skip flowering. |
| Bud drop | drafts or watering changes | Keep the plant away from draughts and heating vents, and keep watering steady while buds are forming. Buds drop when conditions change suddenly, so avoid moving the plant once buds appear. |
| Yellow leaves | overwatering | Let the soil dry more between waterings and check that the pot drains freely. Remove the yellow leaf once it is fully yellow - one old lower leaf yellowing is normal ageing, several at once points to watering. |
No blooms
Likely cause: too little light or plant resting. Move the plant to brighter light and check that it is getting its rest period - a plant that never rests, or never gets enough light, will grow leaves and skip flowering.
Bud drop
Likely cause: drafts or watering changes. Keep the plant away from draughts and heating vents, and keep watering steady while buds are forming. Buds drop when conditions change suddenly, so avoid moving the plant once buds appear.
Yellow leaves
Likely cause: overwatering. Let the soil dry more between waterings and check that the pot drains freely. Remove the yellow leaf once it is fully yellow - one old lower leaf yellowing is normal ageing, several at once points to watering.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water anthurium?
Water weekly; keep soil lightly moist. Always check the soil with a finger first rather than watering on a fixed day, because the interval changes with the season and pot size. Water thoroughly when it is time and let the excess drain away completely.
How much light does anthurium need?
It needs bright indirect light. A spot near an east- or west-facing window usually suits it well. Too little light gives weak, stretched growth, while harsh midday sun can scorch the leaves.
Is anthurium safe for cats and dogs?
According to the data used for this guide, anthurium is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep the plant out of reach of curious pets, and contact a vet if your pet has eaten any of it.
When should I repot anthurium?
Repot every 1–2 years, or sooner if roots are circling out of the drainage holes. Move up only one pot size, use fresh mix, and repot in spring.
Why is my anthurium not flowering?
The colourful spathes are not the true flowers - the real flowers are the tiny bumps on the central spadix. A happy anthurium can produce spathes almost year-round, each lasting for weeks. The most common reason for no flowers is too little light - move the plant to a brighter spot and give it time.
Related guides
Browse the full houseplants hub for more species care guides, and try the tools hub for calculators that help with watering, light and repotting.