Flamingo plant Anthurium andreanum Black

As soon as possible after delivery you can plant Anthurium in a flower pot. Choose a pot with holes in the base and a saucer, so that any excess water can drain away. Or use an ornamental pot into which the water from the inner pot can drain.

Or, sprinkle a layer of hydro pellets over the bottom of the pot, cover with fresh potting compost and plant the root ball of the Anthurium at the right depth. Fill the pot with more compost to just below the rim of the pot (room to water) and press firmly down.

Water generously immediately after planting and put the pot in a cool spot in the (part) shade – avoid draughts.

During the summer Anthurium requires plenty of water, keep the compost from drying out.

The flamingo plant loves a high humidity level so place preferably in a warm place but not above radiators. They enjoy a daily spray using either rainwater or tepid water.

During the growing period add plant food for flowering plants regularly when watering, but do not feed in the winter. In the winter keep the Anthurium in a cool and dry place for about six weeks. During this time new flower buds will form.

Pot up your Anthurium (Flamingo Flower plant) every 2 or 3 years in special Anthurium potting compost (this is airier than ‘normal’ potting compost).

You may be more familiar with the orangey red or white anthurium but there are more and more shades available nowadays. These flower for really long time and the shiny foliage is also attractive in a lovely pale green.

Anthurium come originally from the tropical rainforests of South and Central America.

Anthurium is classified under Araceae. The name is from the Greek anthos (flower) and oura (tail). Its common name is Flamingo Flower plant.

These plants are characterised by their distinctive cup-shaped manner of flowering. The flower is actually a spathe which surrounds the small inconspicuous pink flowers that develop along the centre spadix within the bract! They last a long time because of the ripening process of the berries on this spike which takes about 6 months.