Anthurium care: watering and light
The anthurium has red, pink or white “flowers” that last for weeks — they’re actually modified leaves, and the real flowers are on the spike in the middle. With the right light, it blooms almost all year.
Anthurium needs water roughly every 5 days in summer and every 10 in winter (east-facing window, in a 16 cm plastic pot with a drainage hole). Before watering, always check with a finger in the soil: if it’s still damp, wait.
At a glance
- Scientific name
- Anthurium andraeanum
- Also known as
- Flamingo flower
- Preferred light
- Bright indirect light
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Tolerates drought
- No
- Tolerates shade
- No
- Where it lives
- Indoors
Where to put it
It needs bright indirect light to flower: near an east-facing window, or a south-facing one with a sheer curtain. In low light it survives but stops flowering. Direct sun scorches the leaves. It likes humidity and warmth.
How to water
Water when the top few centimetres of soil are dry and let it drain well. The roots need air: a light mix, with pine bark or perlite added, keeps them from rotting.
Common mistakes
Yellow leaves with damp soil mean overwatering. No flowers is nearly always too little light. Brown tips mean dry air. Cut old flowers off at the base of the stem so the plant puts its energy into new ones.
How many days between waterings, spot by spot
| Where it lives | In July | In January |
|---|---|---|
| South- or west-facing window | 4 days | 8 days |
| East-facing window | 5 days | 10 days |
| North-facing window | 8 days | 15 days |
| Hallway or corner with no window | 11 days | 22 days |