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Plant guideAnthurium care: the complete guide
Guidance verified against current care guides (NC State Extension Plant Toolbox, Bloomscape, Hicks Nurseries, Plant Circle) and the ASPCA for toxicity on 4 October 2026. Figures were taken from search summaries of those pages, dated the same day. Sources linked below.
An anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum, the flamingo flower) needs bright indirect light, water once the top inch of soil is dry, humidity of 60 to 80% and temperatures of 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C). It is a tropical epiphyte grown for its long-lasting glossy spathes, and the ASPCA lists it as toxic to cats and dogs.
| Attribute | What an anthurium needs |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright indirect or filtered light, at least 6 hours; avoid direct midday sun |
| Water | When the top inch of soil is dry (about every 1 to 2 weeks); drain fully |
| Temperature | 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C); growth stops and leaf edges blacken below about 59°F (15°C) |
| Humidity | 60 to 80% |
| Soil / pot | Chunky, airy epiphyte mix (orchid bark, perlite, coco coir); pot with drainage holes |
| Fertiliser | Bloom-boosting fertiliser at quarter to half strength every 2 to 4 weeks, spring and summer only |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA), calcium oxalate crystals |
What is the colourful part of an anthurium flower?
The glossy red, pink or white heart on an anthurium is a spathe, a modified leaf, not a petal. The true flowers are the tiny bumps on the central spike, the spadix. That is why one bloom stays colourful for weeks to months, and why a fading spathe usually signals a care problem rather than a finished flower. It is the same arrangement as the peace lily, a relative in the same arum family.
How much light does an anthurium need?
An anthurium needs bright indirect or filtered light for at least six hours a day. In the wild it grows under a rainforest canopy, so direct midday sun scorches the leaves, while a dim corner stops it flowering. An east window or a spot a few feet back from a south or west window suits it. The light guide explains how to judge a spot.
How often should you water an anthurium?
Water an anthurium when the top inch of soil is dry, usually every 1 to 2 weeks, and let all excess drain away. It is an epiphyte with thick, fleshy roots used to air, so wet soil causes root rot faster than a missed watering does. Water less often in winter. The watering guide covers the finger test.
What humidity does an anthurium need?
An anthurium prefers 60 to 80% humidity. Dry air crisps the leaf tips and can brown the spathe edges. Group it with other plants, use a pebble tray or run a humidifier. Do not spray water directly onto the spathe, since that can spot and fade it. The humidity guide has the full methods.
What soil and pot does an anthurium need?
Use a chunky, airy mix rather than ordinary potting soil. A common recipe is about 40% orchid bark, 30% perlite or pumice, 20% peat-free compost or coco coir and 10% horticultural charcoal. Plain potting soil holds too much water and suffocates the roots. Repot about every 2 to 3 years, when it is rootbound or too large for its pot. The soil and pot guide and repotting guide cover timing.
What temperature does an anthurium need?
An anthurium grows best at 65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C) and tolerates a minimum of about 50°F (10°C). Below about 59°F (15°C) growth stops and the leaf edges turn black. Keep it away from cold drafts and open winter windows. See the temperature guide for other plants.
How do you get an anthurium to flower?
An anthurium flowers when it has bright indirect light, steady warmth and a feed with a higher-phosphorus bloom fertiliser. Use it at quarter to half the label dose every 2 to 4 weeks in spring and summer only. Too much fertiliser builds up salts, burns the roots, yellows the leaves and fades the spathes. The fertilising guide explains dosing.
Why are my anthurium leaves turning yellow or brown?
Yellow anthurium leaves most often mean overwatering or too much fertiliser. Match the symptom to the cause below.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow lower leaves, soil wet | Overwatering or poor drainage | Let the top inch dry, empty the saucer, repot in chunky mix if roots are soft |
| Yellow leaves with white crust on the soil | Fertiliser salt build-up | Flush with water, then feed at quarter strength |
| Brown, crisp leaf tips | Dry air | Raise humidity toward 60% |
| Black leaf edges | Cold below about 59°F (15°C) or a draft | Move somewhere warmer |
| Faded or spotted spathes | Excess fertiliser, water on the spathe or cold air | Reduce feeding, water the soil only, avoid drafts |
| No flowers, lush green leaves | Too little light | Move to brighter indirect light |
The yellow leaves guide and overwatering vs underwatering guide cover general diagnosis.
How do you propagate an anthurium?
Division at repotting is the simplest and most reliable way to propagate an anthurium. Separate offsets or side shoots that already have their own roots and pot them in chunky epiphyte mix. Stem cuttings with an aerial root also work. The propagation guide compares methods across plants.
Is anthurium toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. The ASPCA lists anthurium as toxic to cats and dogs because all parts contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing it causes oral pain and swelling, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing, and the sap can irritate skin and eyes. Wear gloves when handling it and contact a vet if a pet has eaten any. It shares this toxin with Chinese evergreen and the peace lily. See the pet-safe plants list for safe alternatives.
FAQ
- How often should you water an anthurium?
- Water an anthurium when the top inch of soil is dry, usually every 1 to 2 weeks, and let excess drain away fully. It is an epiphyte with fleshy roots, so soggy soil causes root rot faster than a missed watering does.
- Why are my anthurium leaves turning yellow?
- Yellow anthurium leaves most often mean overwatering or too much fertiliser. Check that the pot drains, let the top inch dry between waterings, and feed at quarter to half strength only in spring and summer.
- Why is my anthurium not flowering?
- An anthurium that does not flower usually needs brighter indirect light, warmth above 60°F (16°C) and a feed with a bloom-boosting (higher phosphorus) fertiliser at quarter to half strength during the growing season.
- Is anthurium toxic to cats and dogs?
- Yes. The ASPCA lists anthurium as toxic to cats and dogs because all parts contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing it causes mouth pain, drooling and vomiting, and the sap can irritate skin and eyes.
- What is the colourful part of an anthurium flower?
- The glossy red, pink or white heart is a spathe, a modified leaf. The true flowers are the tiny bumps on the central spike (the spadix). The spathe stays colourful for weeks to months.