The anthurium, or “flamingo flower,” is a striking tropical plant known for its glossy, heart-shaped red spathes and playful tail-like spike. A long-blooming, low-fuss houseplant, it brings a splash of the tropics indoors year-round.
Anthurium at a glance
- Botanical name: Anthurium andraeanum
- Family: Araceae
- Bloom season: year-round (as a houseplant)
- Symbolism: hospitality, abundance, and happiness
About the anthurium
What looks like the anthurium’s flower is actually a colorful modified leaf called a spathe, with the true, tiny flowers packed onto the finger-like spadix at its center. Native to the tropical Americas, anthuriums bloom almost continuously in the right conditions and come in red, pink, white, and even purple.
Anthurium meaning and symbolism
The anthurium symbolizes hospitality, abundance, and happiness, its open, heart-shaped form a warm welcome. Explore more flower meanings.
Types of anthurium
Popular varieties worth knowing:
- Red anthurium — the classic glossy scarlet spathe
- Pink and white — softer, elegant color forms
- Purple and ‘obake’ — multicolored and unusual varieties
- Foliage anthuriums — grown for dramatic leaves rather than blooms
How to grow and care for anthurium
A few essentials keep this flower thriving:
- Give bright, indirect light — not direct sun
- Keep warm and humid, like its tropical home
- Water when the top inch of soil dries; don’t let it sit wet
- Use a loose, well-draining potting mix
- Note: anthuriums are toxic if eaten, so keep away from pets and children
Anthurium FAQs
How do you care for an anthurium?
Give it bright indirect light, warmth, and humidity, water when the top of the soil dries, and use a well-draining mix. With good care it can bloom nearly year-round.
Is the anthurium’s red ‘flower’ real?
The glossy red part is actually a spathe, a modified leaf. The true flowers are the tiny bumps on the tail-like spadix in the center.
Are anthuriums toxic?
Yes. Anthuriums contain calcium oxalate crystals that make them toxic if eaten, causing mouth and stomach irritation, so keep them away from pets and children.
Explore more
Browse more flower profiles, learn about flower meanings, or find your birth flower.