Anthurium andraeanum

Flamingo Flower, Flamingo Lily, Laceleaf, Painter's Palette, Tail Flower, Oilcloth Flower

Moderate careSemi-epiphyteModerately toxic30–60 cm

A semi-epiphytic perennial from the cloud forests of Colombia and Ecuador. It produces glossy, heart-shaped leaves and long-lasting waxy spathes — typically vivid red — around a slender yellow spadix. It does best in warm, humid conditions with bright indirect light and a free-draining, bark-based substrate that suits its aerial roots. All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals and are toxic to pets and humans if ingested.

Build a terrarium with this plant

Photo by Forest & Kim Starr·CC BY 3.0 US

Care

Light

Bright indirect(preferred)Indirect light

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Medium (40–60%)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C

15°C – 32°C

Soil

Orchid mix(preferred)Well drainingPeat moss

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

5.5 – 6.5

Appearance

Growth habit

UprightClumping

Leaf shape

Heart

Leaf texture

LeatheryGlossy

Distribution

Propagation

Take a 15–20 cm cutting with at least 1–2 nodes and 1–2 leaves, cutting at 45° just below a node. Root in moist peat/perlite mix or in water changed every 2–3 days. Keep temperatures at 21–27 °C with high humidity while roots develop.

References

1
Kew Plants of the World Online — Anthurium andraeanum
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:84549-1
2
RHS — How to grow anthuriums
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/anthuriums/how-to-grow-anthuriums
3
RHS — Anthurium andraeanum plant details
https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/1349/anthurium-andraeanum/details
4
NC State Extension — Anthurium andraeanum
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/anthurium-andraeanum/
5
Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder
https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b575
6
ASPCA — Flamingo Flower (toxic plant listing)
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/flamingo-flower
7
BBC Gardeners' World — How to grow anthurium
https://www.gardenersworld.com/house-plants/how-to-grow-anthurium/
8
Monaco Nature Encyclopedia — Anthurium andraeanum
https://www.monaconatureencyclopedia.com/anthurium-andraeanum/?lang=en
9
Lively Root — Anthurium propagation guide
https://www.livelyroot.com/blogs/plant-care/anthurium-propagation
10
Plantophiles — Anthurium humidity requirements
https://plantophiles.com/plant-care/anthurium-humidity/