Houseplants

Flamingo flower

AnthuriumAraceae
Also: Anthurium, Laceleaf
AT A GLANCE
Bright indirect light Water: average H1aheated glasshouse 30–50 cm tall · 30–40 cm wide In a pot: yes
Flowering · UK
Flowering · Northern Italy
Flowering · Central Italy
Flowering · Southern Italy and islands

Pot into a chunky, free-draining aroid mix rather than standard houseplant compost from the outset.

Care

Light

Flowers best with good light, but avoid direct sun, which scorches leaves.

Water

Allow the top of the compost to dry slightly between waterings; likes humidity.

Soil

Peat-free, well-drained, aroid-style compost with added bark for airflow to the roots.

Pruning

Remove spent flower spathes and any yellowing leaves at the base.

Feeding

A high-potash feed at half strength every two or three weeks while it is growing — this is one houseplant where regular feeding genuinely drives the flowers. Nothing in winter.

Propagation

Divide at repotting: separate a side crown that has its own roots and pot it into an open, bark-rich compost. Cuttings from a stem with aerial roots also work on a plant that has grown tall and bare.

Month by month

Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.

  1. MarchRepot every 2 years into fresh, chunky aroid compost. how ›
  2. AprilMonthly liquid feed through the growing season to support continuous flowering. how ›
  3. JuneWipe leaves and raise humidity to keep flowering strong.

Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.

  1. MarchRepot every 2 years into fresh, chunky aroid compost. how ›
  2. AprilMonthly liquid feed through the growing season to support continuous flowering. how ›
  3. JuneWipe leaves and raise humidity to keep flowering strong.

Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.

  1. MarchRepot every 2 years into fresh, chunky aroid compost. how ›
  2. AprilMonthly liquid feed through the growing season to support continuous flowering. how ›
  3. JuneWipe leaves and raise humidity to keep flowering strong.

Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.

  1. MarchRepot every 2 years into fresh, chunky aroid compost. how ›
  2. AprilMonthly liquid feed through the growing season to support continuous flowering. how ›
  3. JuneWipe leaves and raise humidity to keep flowering strong.

Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.

Common problems

Root rot

How to spot it. From heavy, poorly-draining compost.

What to do. Use a chunky aroid mix, not dense standard compost.

Few or no flowers

How to spot it. From insufficient light.

What to do. Move to a brighter spot.

Mealybug and scalefull sheet ›

How to spot it. On stems.

What to do. Treat if noticed.

Questions

Flamingo flower: is it hardy?

H1a: True houseplant, needs above 15°C. It survives heated glasshouse.

Can it grow in a pot?

Standard container culture.

Flamingo flower: when do you prune it?

Remove spent flower spathes and any yellowing leaves at the base.

Flamingo flower: when does it flower?

In the climate of UK it flowers in January–December.

When do you feed it?

A high-potash feed at half strength every two or three weeks while it is growing — this is one houseplant where regular feeding genuinely drives the flowers. Nothing in winter. Feeding months, UK: April–September.