Anthurium
Anthurium is a vegetable in the Araceae family. It grows best in part shade with medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 10-12.
Varieties
1 · sorted by days to maturity▸Anthurium
PROPAGATION CATEGORY: Tropical houseplant (division) (not in original seed catalog). Use: Long-lasting glossy red spathes. Note: Toxic to pets if chewed.
Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) is a tropical houseplant prized for waxy, long-lasting heart-shaped red (or pink/white) spathes held above glossy foliage; blooms much of the year.
Growing notes: Botanical name: Anthurium andraeanum|Hardiness zones: 10-12|Propagation: division|Light: Bright indirect light|Water: Medium|Mature size: 1-2 feet
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Start your free plan →Anthurium care at a glance
Bright, indirect light keeps the glossy 'flowers' (spathes) coming. It tolerates medium light but blooms far less; direct sun bleaches the leaves.
Water thoroughly when the upper half of the chunky mix has dried, then let it drain completely — anthurium roots want air as much as moisture.
A rainforest epiphyte — 50%+ humidity keeps leaves glossy. Brown tips appear quickly in dry, heated air; group plants or run a humidifier.
Keep above 55°F — cold damage starts below that.
A coarse, fast-draining mix — orchid bark blended with peat and perlite is ideal; dense soil rots the roots.
A dilute, phosphorus-leaning fertilizer monthly in spring and summer supports repeat blooming.
In winter: Cut back noticeably in winter; in a cool room the mix can take two weeks or more to dry.
Contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals — chewing causes intense mouth and throat irritation in pets and people. Keep out of reach and wash hands after pruning.
Pet listing per the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants database.
How to propagate anthurium
Division
- Unpot the plant and gently tease the root mass apart at natural crowns.
- Make sure each division keeps several stems and healthy roots.
- Pot divisions in fresh chunky mix at the same depth they grew before.
- Keep warm, humid, and lightly moist for a few weeks while they re-establish.
Common anthurium problems
Why won't my anthurium flower?
Likely cause: Insufficient light — in medium or low light an anthurium survives happily but stops producing spathes.
Fix: Move it into bright, indirect light, feed monthly at half strength in the growing season, and be patient: new spathes follow new leaves.
Why are my anthurium's leaves turning brown at the tips?
Likely cause: Dry air or fertilizer-salt buildup — both burn the leaf tips of this humidity-loving epiphyte.
Fix: Raise humidity above ~50%, flush the pot with plain water every month or two, and trim burnt tips with clean scissors.
Why are my anthurium's flowers turning green?
Likely cause: Aging spathes naturally fade toward green, and low light exaggerates it.
Fix: Cut spent stems at the base and improve light for stronger color on the next bloom cycle.
Care profile compiled from extension and horticultural society guidance and the ASPCA toxic-plants list. Conditions vary by home — treat ranges as starting points.
At a glance
Storing & preserving
Most keep best refrigerated; storage crops prefer a cool, dry spot.
- Freeze: Blanch briefly, cool, then freeze — keeps color and texture.
- Can: Pressure-can low-acid vegetables; water-bath only pickled/acidified ones.
General home-preservation guidance — for tested processing times and safety, follow the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Growing timeline
Care & troubleshooting
No curated care & troubleshooting advice for anthurium yet. Our extension-sourced library currently focuses on common edible crops; we're expanding it over time.