Everything You Need to Know About Anthurium — Care, Planting & More
The glossy, heart-shaped tropical flower that blooms year-round in Philippine homes — each vivid spathe lasting weeks longer than any bouquet, in a plant so well-suited to Manila's climate it practica...
About Anthurium
The glossy, heart-shaped tropical flower that blooms year-round in Philippine homes — each vivid spa...
Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum) is the flowering houseplant that delivers what roses, orchids, and cut flower bouquets only promise temporarily: vivid, glossy color that lasts for weeks — not days — and renews itself continuously throughout the year. Each flower (technically a colored spathe surrounding a central spadix) emerges in brilliant red, pink, white, coral, or purple, maintains its waxy, polished appearance for 6-8 weeks, and is followed by another. A well-grown anthurium in Philippine conditions is essentially a permanent flowering display — living color that never needs replacing.
The plant's visual signature is its spathe: a modified leaf that has evolved into a broad, heart-shaped, intensely colored bract with a lacquer-like surface that gleams as if hand-polished. The true flowers are tiny and densely packed on the finger-like spadix that protrudes from the center of the spathe — a structure shared by all aroids (monstera, peace lily, philodendron). But while most aroids have subtle or white spathes, anthurium has evolved some of the most vivid, saturated colors in the plant kingdom — presumably to attract specific pollinators in its native South American rainforests.
Anthurium andraeanum is native to the tropical rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador, where it grows as an epiphyte on trees in humid montane forests at elevations of 300-1,500 meters. The genus name Anthurium comes from Greek: anthos (flower) + oura (tail) — a reference to the tail-like spadix that projects from the center of the spathe.
How to Plant Anthurium in the Philippines
Soil, spacing, and the best planting approach for Philippine conditions.
Anthurium is one of the most widely available houseplants in the Philippines. Standard red-spathed plants cost as little as ₱100-300 at Dangwa, Cartimar, and provincial plant markets. Pink, white, and purple varieties range ₱150-500. Specialty 'obake' (multicolored) types cost ₱300-800. Foliage collector types range ₱500-10,000+. Propagation by division is the standard method — the plant naturally produces multiple crowns that separate easily.
Care Guide
Keep your Anthurium healthy and thriving.
Bright indirect light is the key to continuous flowering. In the wild, anthurium grows in the filtered light beneath the rainforest canopy — it wants abundant light but not direct sun.
Moderate — keep the chunky mix evenly moist but never waterlogged. Water when the top 2-3 cm feels dry, roughly every 5-7 days in Manila conditions.
Chunky, airy, epiphytic mix — this is non-negotiable for long-term anthurium health. Standard dense potting soil retains too much moisture and compacts around anthurium's delicate roots, causing rot.
Anthurium loves humidity — and Manila delivers. Natural ambient humidity of 60-80% is ideal and requires no accommodation in most Philippine homes.
Monthly feeding during the growing season promotes continuous flowering. Use balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10 or 20-20-20) diluted to half strength, or a phosphorus-rich formulation (10-30-20) to specifically encoura...
Cut spent flower stalks at the base once the spathe turns green or brown — this redirects energy toward new blooms. Remove yellowing lower leaves by cutting at the base.
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View Services →Growing Medium Options
Best soil and medium choices for Anthurium.
Soil (Epiphytic Mix)
BestChunky aroid/orchid mix (bark + perlite + coco coir) is the standard and best medium. The loose, airy texture provides the root aeration anthurium needs as an epiphyte while retaining adequate moisture. This is how the majority of anthuriums are grown in Philippine homes and commercial nurseries. The mix needs replacing every 1-2 years as bark decomposes.
Water
GoodAnthurium grows well in water (passive hydroculture) — wash all soil from roots, place in a glass container with roots submerged. Change water every 1-2 weeks. Add quarter-strength liquid fertilizer monthly. Water-grown anthuriums flower less frequently but maintain healthy foliage. Popular for desk and tabletop displays in Philippine offices. The root system is visually attractive in clear glass.
Semi-Hydro (LECA)
ExcellentLECA semi-hydroponic culture is excellent for anthurium — many enthusiasts consider it the ideal medium. The clay balls provide consistent moisture wicking, root aeration, and clean growing conditions. Anthurium's epiphytic roots adapt readily to LECA. Use nutrient solution at pH 5.5-6.5, EC 0.8-1.2. Reduces pest issues associated with organic mixes. Increasingly popular in the Philippine plant community.
Ornamental Uses
How to use Anthurium in your garden and home.
Anthurium's combination of vivid, long-lasting flowers and glossy foliage makes it one of the most versatile flowering ornamental plants for both indoor display and commercial use. The plant provides permanent living color where cut flowers provide only temporary beauty — a significant practical and economic advantage for Filipino homes and businesses.
- Tabletop flowering accent: Compact anthuriums (30-50 cm) are ideal for dining tables, coffee tables, office desks, and shelving — providing the color and elegance of a fresh flower arrangement that never needs replacing and lasts for years
- Living centerpiece: Red or pink anthuriums serve as permanent centerpieces for dining rooms, reception areas, and event spaces — eliminating the recurring cost and waste of cut flower arrangements
- Bathroom and kitchen color: The humidity-loving nature makes anthurium ideal for Philippine bathrooms — it thrives in warm, humid conditions and provides vivid color in these typically utilitarian spaces
- Color coordination: The wide range of spathe colors (red, pink, white, purple, coral, bicolor) allows precise color matching with interior design palettes — designers use anthurium as a living color accent
- Gift plant: Anthurium is one of the most commonly gifted plants in the Philippines — for housewarmings, birthdays, weddings, and celebrations. Its long-lasting blooms and relatively easy care make it a gift that continues giving
- Shaded garden beds: Mass-planted under trees or along building foundations where direct sun never reaches — anthurium creates vibrant, continuously flowering ground-level displays in deep shade
- Covered patio and veranda: Potted or planted along covered walkways, verandas, and carports — the humid, filtered-light conditions produce vigorous growth and prolific flowering
- Commercial cut flower production: Grown commercially in Philippine nurseries (Mindanao, Visayas) for the domestic and export cut flower market — anthurium cut flowers last 2-4 weeks in a vase
- Resort and hotel landscaping: Used extensively in Philippine hotel lobbies, restaurant interiors, spa gardens, and resort common areas — the perpetual flowering and low maintenance suit commercial applications perfectly
Safety & Environmental Benefits
Toxicity info and air quality benefits.
Humans: Anthurium contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals (raphides) in all parts — leaves, stems, spathes, and roots. Chewing or ingesting plant tissue releases microscopic needle-shaped crystals that puncture mouth and throat tissues, causing immediate intense burning, swelling, drooling, and difficulty swallowing. The reaction is painful but not life-threatening. The colorful spathes may attract young children — keep plants out of reach.
Anthurium contributes to indoor air quality through standard photosynthetic activity — absorbing CO₂ and releasing oxygen. Its glossy leaves have moderate transpiration rates that help maintain indoor humidity levels — beneficial in air-conditioned spaces. While anthurium was not included in NASA's original Clean Air Study, related aroid species (peace lily, pothos) performed well in VOC removal.
Common Pests & Diseases
Spot issues early and keep your plant healthy.
Mealybugs
White, cottony masses at leaf bases, in the central crown, and along flower stalks — the most common anthurium pest in the Philippines. Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swab. Neem oil spray for larger infestations. Check the tight spaces where leaf petioles emerge — mealybugs hide there.
Scale insects
Brown or tan shell-like bumps on stems and leaf midribs — stationary sap-sucking pests. Scrape off with a soft brush. Neem oil application. More common on outdoor anthuriums than indoor specimens.
Thrips
Tiny, slender insects causing silvery streaks and stippled damage on leaves and spathes — increasingly problematic in the Philippine plant community. Neem oil, insecticidal soap, or systemic insecticide. Quarantine new plants before adding to your collection. Thrips damage on spathes is particularly frustrating as it ruins the display.
Root rot
Mushy, brown, foul-smelling roots from overwatering or dense, waterlogged soil — the most serious anthurium disease. Prevention: use chunky, airy mix; ensure pot drainage; water only when mix approaches dryness. Treatment: unpot, trim all mushy roots, repot in fresh mix, reduce watering. Switching to LECA can prevent recurrence.
Bacterial blight (Xanthomonas)
Water-soaked brown or black lesions on leaves, sometimes with yellow halos — can spread rapidly in warm, wet conditions. Remove affected leaves immediately. Avoid overhead watering. Improve air circulation. Isolate affected plants. Severe cases may require copper-based bactericide. This is a serious disease that can kill the plant if not addressed early.
Anthracnose
Brown, dry, sunken spots on leaves and spathes — a fungal disease favored by warm, wet conditions. Remove affected leaves. Reduce leaf wetness. Improve air circulation. Fungicide for severe cases. More common during the Philippine wet season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers about Anthurium.
Why is my anthurium not flowering?
Most likely insufficient light — bright indirect light is essential for blooming. Move near a window. Other causes: plant too young, under-fertilizing (monthly balanced or phosphorus-rich fertilizer), too cool (<25°C — rare issue in Manila), severely root-bound. In Philippine homes with adequate light, anthuriums typically bloom continuously year-round.
Is anthurium toxic to pets?
Yes — ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs and cats. Contains calcium oxalate crystals causing oral irritation, burning, drooling, vomiting, and swallowing difficulty. Mild to moderate — rarely life-threatening. The colorful spathes may attract curious pets — place on elevated surfaces or in restricted rooms.
How long do anthurium flowers last?
Each spathe lasts 6-8 weeks on the plant — far longer than any cut flower bouquet. Vivid color for 4-6 weeks, then fades to green, then brown. Cut spent stalks at the base. A healthy plant produces new spathes every 1-3 months per crown. As cut flowers in a vase: 2-4 weeks. Year-round blooming in Philippine conditions.
What are the different anthurium varieties?
Flowering types: classic red (₱100-300), pink (₱150-400), white (₱150-400), purple (₱200-500), coral (₱200-500), 'obake' multicolor (₱300-800). Foliage collector types: clarinervium (₱500-2,000), crystallinum (₱800-3,000), warocqueanum (₱1,500-10,000+). All flowering types share the same care; foliage types need higher humidity.
Can anthurium grow in water?
Yes — grows well in water permanently. Remove all soil, place roots in water with crown above waterline. Change water every 1-2 weeks, add quarter-strength fertilizer monthly. Flowers less frequently than soil-grown but maintains healthy foliage. Popular for clean desk/tabletop displays. LECA semi-hydro is also excellent for anthurium.
Why are my anthurium leaves turning yellow?
Most common: overwatering (soggy mix, multiple lower leaves yellowing). Other causes: natural aging (1-2 old leaves dying is normal), direct sun scorch (bleached patches), nutrient deficiency (pale new leaves — fertilize), cold drafts, root rot. Check soil moisture and identify which leaves are affected to diagnose.
How do you propagate anthurium?
Division is easiest: separate crowns from mature multi-crowned plants, each with 3-4 leaves and healthy roots. Pot in chunky mix. New growth in 2-4 weeks. Stem cuttings with nodes and aerial roots also work. Seed propagation is very slow and variable. Divide during warm months (April-October) for fastest establishment.
Is anthurium native to the Philippines?
No — native to Colombia and Ecuador. However, the Philippines is a major commercial anthurium producer because the climate perfectly matches its native conditions. Widely cultivated for decades, deeply integrated into Filipino plant culture. Philippine nurseries have developed local hybrids. Thrives better in PH than in most countries where it's grown as a houseplant.
Sources
References used in this guide.
- Plants of the World Online — Anthurium andraeanum Linden ex André. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
- Croat, T.B. (1988). Ecology and Life Forms of Araceae. Aroideana, 11(3).
- ASPCA — Animal Poison Control Center: Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Lists — Anthurium.
- Henny, R.J. & Chen, J. (2003). Cultivar Development of Ornamental Foliage Plants. Plant Breeding Reviews, 23.
- Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries — Anthurium Production Guide.
This guide is for informational purposes. Consult local plant nurseries for variety-specific care advice.
