What are anthuriums?
Also known as flamingo flowers, these flamboyant, glossy-leaved houseplants come from tropical climes, so must be kept in warm, humid conditions and indirect light. They are compact enough to fit into any home, as most are only about 30cm (1ft) tall.
Anthuriums are mainly grown for their colourful displays – their ‘flowers’ are in fact a leaf-like structure called a spathe with a central upright spike called a spadix. The glossy, waxy spathes can be vibrant red, pink or white, depending on the cultivar, appearing throughout the year and lasting for several weeks, creating a truly tropical spectacle.
Most anthuriums are epiphytic, meaning that in the wild they grow on trees rather than in the ground. Their fleshy roots cling to moss-covered Bark is the outermost layer of woody plants (trees, shrubs and woody climbers). It is several cells thick and provides protection against physical damage, disease and environmental stresses. Bark comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, and these can help gardeners when identifying plants. The fissures and crevices of bark on older plants also creates valuable habitat for many garden creatures as well as lichens and small plants.
bark for support, in a similar way to many tropical orchids. However, when grown as a houseplant, they are perfectly happy in pots of free-draining, acidic compost. They prefer to be watered with rainwater or filtered water rather than tap water, and should be misted regularly as they enjoy humidity.
Anthuriums belong to the arum family (Araceae), along with other popular houseplants such as the peace lily (Spathiphyllum) and Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa), and enjoy similar growing conditions – see our guide to amazing arums. Like many of their arum relatives, anthuriums contain toxic compounds, so it’s safest to wear gloves when handling them, and they should be kept out of reach of children and pets.
Choosing anthuriums
The main difference between most anthuriums is the colour of the waxy spathes, which range from vibrant red, through shades of pink, to pure white. The central spike (spadix) can also vary in colour. A few are grown for their attractive foliage.
Popular choices include:
Buying anthuriums
Anthuriums are widely available all year round from garden centres, other houseplant retailers and many online suppliers.
When buying in person, select a healthy-looking plant with unblemished leaves and no signs of wilting or insect damage. As these are tropical plants, take care to keep them warm when bringing them home.