New to growing flamingo plant? This anthurium care guide spills the secrets to vibrant blooms year-round. Master watering, light, & more!
Anthurium lilies are so fun to grow. They have beautiful waxy flowers, require minimal effort from you, and aim to please. When my daughter Shana and I went shopping several years ago at one of my favorite local nurseries, she was immediately drawn to this pretty little houseplant and wanted to grow it.
Since then, he’s moved around a bit and has adapted to the different environments from our former home to our current home.
And he took a bit of a beating two summers ago during an extremely hot summer as I kept it on the front porch that kept toppling over in the wind and busting his pot. Because it was so hot, I was a little lazy about repotting it.
But you know what?
This little plant is tough as nails and can take almost anything you throw at it. And he’s been in great shape since then. He’s even pushing out a new bloom two years later! So if you think you can’t grow houseplants or are new to indoor plant parenthood, I encourage you to try growing an anthurium lily. Because it is a great starter plant.
Read on to learn how to care for them and you’ll be rewarded with an incredible flowering houseplant that’s easy care and fun to grow.
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About the Flamingo Lily Plant
Anthurium Andraeanum, the common name Flamingo Plant, is a popular type of flowering tropical plant that is native to the tropical regions of the Americas. They are indoor plants that are known for their bright, heart-shaped flowers that come in a range of colors.
Why We Love Flamingo Flower
Since I started growing my anthurium a few years ago, I’ve been impressed by its resilience and easy-care. Here’s why you should add the flamingo plant to your collection:
- Incredible Blooms: Anthuriums boast bright, long-lasting flowers that add a pop of color to any space. If you’re looking for an easy-blooming houseplant, look no further!
- Low-Maintenance Care: Anthuriums are relatively easy to care for, thriving in warm, humid environments with bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. They’re resilient and can bounce back from stress, making them perfect for beginners. (Psst… if you need to revive a struggling plant, check out my best tips [link to your tips]!)
- Air-Purification: Anthuriums help improve air quality by removing harmful toxins like formaldehyde and ammonia. Since adding them to my home, I’ve noticed fewer colds and flu in my family.
- Long-Lasting Color: Enjoy vibrant, waxy flowers for weeks or even months! Anthuriums offer long-lasting color without needing frequent replacements.
- Versatile Plants: Grow them indoors or outdoors (in warmer climates), in pots or planters. Their adaptability makes them perfect for any space.
Anthurium Care Made Easy
Anthuriums are relatively easy to care for, but they do have specific needs that must be met to thrive and flower well. And while that may sound scary, it’s pretty easy. Here’s what you need to know.
Light Conditions for Your Flamingo Plant
One of the most important things to consider when caring for a flamingo lily is its light requirements. These tropical plants prefer bright indirect light. They should not be placed in direct sunlight as it can cause the leaves to scorch. And if your anthurium is not getting enough light, its flowers may become pale or its leaves may become smaller.
So the plant will pretty much tell you when it’s not happy and you can make the proper adjustments. I’ve come to learn its a very forgiving plant.
To understand the light conditions better in your home, I shared a comprehensive article about it here.
Soil Requirments for Flamingo Flower
Anthuriums prefer a coarse and well-drained medium. Several extension offices recommend using a soilless mix containing peat moss, pine bark, and perlite. It’s a good idea to avoid heavy, compacted soils that hold too much water, as this can lead to root rot. I like to make my own chunky soil mix that includes peat moss, perlite, potting mix, and orchid bark to ensure good drainage.
Watering
Anthuriums also requires well-draining moist soil that is allowed to dry out between waterings. This means, don’t water your anthurium on the same day of each week. Instead, check the soil for dryness on the same day each week in an effort to avoid soggy soil that will rot the roots.
Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it’s really important to allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. When we water on the same day each week without actually checking the soil, we do more harm than good.
And the surface of the soil is not telling with regard to how soggy it actually is. You can learn how to check for soil dryness with this easy test. To know whether your plant needs to be watered, stick your finger down into the soil about 1-2″ and feel for dryness. But you can also use this moisture meter instead if you prefer.
Fertilizing Your Flamingo Plant
These plants also benefit from regular fertilization but don’t need much to flower. During the growing season, I use a slow-release fertilizer that lasts a few months instead of a liquid fertilizer that lasts a few days to a week. It’s an easier approach to houseplant care when you set and forget.
Be sure not to give anthuriums too little or too much fertilizer as it can burn the roots and cause plant decline. Always follow the label recommendations with whatever fertilizer you choose. Remember, more fertilizer does not mean better.
Anthurium Care: Humidity
To provide the best anthurium care, try to give it humid environment if you can. While they are tropical plants that thrive in high humidity, they can also handle less humid conditions too. But low humidity levels can be easily corrected too.
If you have dry air in your home, the best way to increase the humidity level around your anthurium is by placing it on a humidity tray of pebbles filled with water, using a humidifier, or misting the leaves regularly.
Pro-tip: if there is a lack of humidity in your home, you can group several houseplants together to create their own microclimate.
Room Temperature For Your Flamingo Flower
The ideal conditions for anthuriums are warm environments, with temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate cooler temperatures, but should not be exposed to frost or freezing temperatures. So keep your anthurium lily away from cold drafts, particularly during the cold winter months.
During summer months, I bring my anthurium plant outdoors where it can enjoy warm temperatures and humid conditions in a protected area on the front porch. When you move them outdoors, make sure you keep them out of direct sunlight or the leaves will scorch.
Overall, anthuriums are low-maintenance plants that are easy to care that will reward you with beautiful, long-lasting flowers.
Flamingo Plant Common Pests and Diseases
While anthuriums are generally hardy, they can occasionally fall victim to pests or diseases. Here are some of the most common problems to watch out for:
Pests
- Spider mites: These tiny pests can cause yellowing leaves and fine webbing. Increase humidity and wipe leaves with a damp cloth to discourage them.
- Mealybugs: These cottony pests suck sap and weaken the plant. Remove them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- Aphids: These small insects cluster on new growth and cause distorted leaves. Wash them off with a strong stream of water or use insecticidal soap.
Diseases
- Root rot: Overwatering is the main culprit. Ensure well-draining soil and avoid letting the plant sit in water.
- Bacterial blight: This causes water-soaked spots on leaves. Remove affected leaves and avoid overhead watering.
- Fungal diseases: Anthracnose can cause brown spots on leaves. Improve air circulation and avoid overwatering.
Tips for Prevention
- Regularly inspect your plants: Catching problems early is key to successful treatment.
- Maintain good hygiene: Clean your tools and pots to prevent the spread of disease.
- Provide optimal growing conditions: Healthy plants are less susceptible to pests and diseases.
If you encounter persistent problems, consider consulting with a local plant expert or your local garden center for specific advice and treatment options.
Propagating Your Anthurium
Anthuriums can be propagated in a few different ways, giving you more of these beautiful plants to enjoy or to share with friends. Here are the most common methods:
Stem Cuttings
This is the easiest and most popular method. Take a cutting that includes a few leaves and at least one node (the bump on the stem where leaves emerge). You can root the cutting in water or directly in soil.
- Water propagation: Place the cutting in a jar or vase of water, ensuring the node is submerged. Change the water every few days, and roots should develop in a few weeks.
- Soil propagation: Dip the cut end of the stem in rooting hormone (optional but helpful), then plant it in a pot with well-draining potting mix. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.
Division
If your anthurium has become large and has multiple stems, you can divide it into smaller plants. Carefully remove the plant from its pot and gently separate the root ball into sections, ensuring each section has roots and leaves. Plant each division in its own pot.
Seeds
While possible, propagating anthuriums from seed is less common and more challenging. It requires patience, as it can take a long time for seedlings to grow into mature plants.
Tips for Propagation Success:
- Always use clean, sharp tools to prevent the spread of disease.
- Provide bright, indirect light and maintain a warm, humid environment.
- Be patient – propagation takes time!
Anthurium Care: How to Repot an Anthurium
Repotting these popular houseplants is a simple process that can help provide the plant with fresh soil and a larger pot as it grows.
Here’s how to repot a flamingo plant:
- Choose a pot that is 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current pot. Make sure the pot has drainage holes to allow excess water to drain out.
- Gently remove your flamingo plant from its current container. You may need to gently loosen the roots or use a knife to carefully cut the pot away from the root ball if the plant is pot-bound.
- Place a layer of course, well-draining soil in the bottom of the new pot. They prefer a coarse and well-drained medium. The University of Vermont recommends using a soilless mix containing peat moss, pine bark, and perlite.
- Then place the anthurium in the pot and fill in around the root ball with more soil, making sure to leave about 1 inch of space between the top of the soil line and the rim of the pot.
- Water the plant thoroughly to help settle the soil and encourage the roots to grow.
- Keep the plant in a warm, humid location with bright, indirect light and water regularly.
Be gentle when removing your flamingo plant from its current pot and handle the roots carefully to avoid damaging them.
Anthurium Care FAQs
Are Anthurium Plants Poisonous to Cats?
Anthurium plants are not considered to be poisonous to cats, but they can cause digestive issues if ingested. The plants contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat if ingested.
In severe cases, ingestion of anthurium plants can cause difficulty breathing and other serious symptoms. It’s important to keep anthurium plants out of reach of pets, especially cats, to prevent accidental ingestion. If you suspect that your cat has ingested part of an anthurium plant, seek veterinary care as soon as possible.
How Often Should I Water My Anthurium?
If you aren’t sure how often to water your flamingo plant, make sure the soil dries out before you water. Dig your finger about an inch to two inches into the soil and see if it’s wet. If it’s dry, it is time to water. If you’d rather not use your finger, you can also use a moisture meter to help you know when it’s okay to water.
What Does an Overwatered Anthurium Look Like?
You’ll know you’ve overwatered your flamingo plant when you notice yellowing leaves that may look wilted. The soil may feel constantly damp and you might smell a foul odor, indicating root rot. To remedy, remove from the pot, clean as much of the soil off the roots as possible, then repot in a fresh, clean, and dry container.
Why Does My Anthurium Have Brown Tips?
If you see brown tips on your flamingo flower plant, exposure to direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, or dry air can be the culprit. Move the plant to a more suitable location, with bright indirect light, Keep in mind that over or underwatering anthurium plants can also turn the leaves brown too.
How to Keep My Anthurium Red and Blooming?
To keep your anthurium lily plant blooming, make sure it’s getting plenty of bright light, warmth and humidity. Feed it regularly with a balanced fertilizer. I like to use this slow release fertilizer to feed all my houseplants and keep them blooming. If your anthurium lily flowers change color, don’t worry. That is a natural occurance as they mature. And there are also some bi-colored varieties that my have different colored blooms too.
Final Thoughts About Growing Flamingo Flower
Anthuriums truly are a rewarding plant to grow. Their striking beauty and forgiving nature make them a fantastic choice for both seasoned plant enthusiasts and those just starting their green journey. These tough-as-nails plants can handle a bit of neglect and bounce back from setbacks with renewed vigor, rewarding you with those vibrant, long-lasting blooms.
So, if you’re looking for a low-maintenance houseplant that brings a touch of the tropics into your home, the anthurium is a perfect choice. Don’t let any perceived “brown thumb” hold you back – with just a little care and attention, you can enjoy the beauty of these amazing plants for years to come. Happy growing!
Have you grown and anthurium before? And if so, do you have a favorite variety? Do you have any anthurium lily care tips and tricks? Tell me more in the comments below.
To learn more about growing anthurium lily, please read this article from North Carolina State Extension Service.
To drill down on houseplant care basics and growing an indoor garden that thrives, please read my articles:
- Easy Houseplants for Busy People: The Low-Maintenance Approach to Growing an Indoor Garden
- From Shop to Home: How to Acclimate Your Tropical Plants
- Stop Guessing and Master Watering Indoor Plants Like a Pro
- How to Revive Houseplants You Thought Were Goners
- Is Your Houseplant Getting Enough Light? Here’s How to Tell.
Thank you so much for following along.
Enjoy a beautiful day! xo
