Flamingo Flower

How to care for Flamingo Flower

Light

Anthurium scherzerianum thrives in bright, indirect light, such as that found a metre or so back from an east- or west-facing window. Direct summer sun will scorch the leaves and bleach the spathes, while deep shade reduces flowering significantly. A north-facing windowsill is usually too dim for consistent blooming, though the foliage will survive. Supplementary LED grow lighting can be used during winter months to maintain flower production.

Watering

Water thoroughly, allowing excess to drain freely, then wait until the top 2-3 cm of the growing medium has dried before watering again. Anthurium scherzerianum is sensitive to both overwatering and drought; consistently waterlogged roots lead rapidly to root rot, while prolonged dryness causes wilting and leaf tip browning. Always use water that is at room temperature and, where possible, use rainwater or filtered water, as this species is sensitive to the fluoride and chlorine present in some mains supplies.

Soil and potting

A free-draining, airy substrate is essential to replicate the epiphytic conditions of the plant's natural habitat. A suitable mix can be made from two parts coarse perlite or bark chips, two parts peat-free compost, and one part horticultural grit or pumice. Ready-made orchid bark compost, amended with additional perlite, also works well. The medium must not compact around the roots or retain standing moisture.

Feeding

During the active growing season from spring through to early autumn, apply a balanced, phosphorus-inclusive liquid fertiliser diluted to half the manufacturer's recommended strength every three to four weeks. A fertiliser with a slightly higher phosphorus ratio (the middle NPK number) can encourage flowering. Feeding should be reduced to once every six to eight weeks in winter when growth slows. Avoid over-feeding, as salt build-up in the compost can damage roots.

Humidity and temperature

This species requires relatively high humidity of 60-80% to perform well. In centrally heated homes, humidity can drop well below this level, particularly in winter. Stand the pot on a tray of damp gravel, group it with other plants, or use a cool-mist humidifier nearby. Misting directly onto the leaves can encourage fungal issues and is not the most effective method. The ideal temperature range is 16-24 C; the plant will tolerate short dips to around 13 C but should never be exposed to frost or cold draughts.

Repotting

Repot every two to three years, or when roots begin to circle the base of the pot or emerge from drainage holes. Choose a new pot only one size larger, as Anthurium scherzerianum tends to flower more reliably when slightly root-bound. Spring is the best time to repot. Terracotta pots are useful because they allow the substrate to dry more evenly, reducing the risk of root rot. Handle the roots carefully, as they are somewhat brittle.

Pruning

Little pruning is required beyond removing spent flower spathes once they fade and green over, and cutting away any yellowing or damaged leaves at the base of the stem using clean, sharp scissors or a blade. Removing old spathes promptly directs the plant's energy towards new growth and flower production. Do not remove green, healthy leaves unnecessarily, as the foliage is the primary driver of the plant's photosynthetic activity.

Is Flamingo Flower toxic?

Common problems

How to propagate

Division

At repotting time in spring, carefully separate offsets or side shoots that have developed their own root system from the parent plant. Pot each division into a small container with fresh, free-draining compost and keep it warm and humid while it establishes.

Stem cuttings

Take a stem cutting that includes at least one node and ideally one or two aerial roots, and place it in a small pot of moist, perlite-heavy compost or in a jar of water. Maintain high humidity and temperatures of around 20-22 C until new root and leaf growth is evident, then pot on normally.

Seed

Seed is rarely available commercially and requires hand pollination to produce. Ripe berries are harvested from the spadix, the seeds cleaned and sown fresh onto the surface of moist, fine compost at around 22-25 C. Germination is slow and variable, and seedlings take several years to reach flowering size.

Where Flamingo Flower comes from

Native to Costa Rica.

Story and origins

The genus name Anthurium is derived from the Greek words 'anthos' meaning flower and 'oura' meaning tail, a reference to the tail-like spadix characteristic of plants in this genus. The species epithet scherzerianum commemorates the Austrian naturalist Karl Scherzer (1821-1903), who participated in the Novara Expedition of 1857-1859, one of Austria's most significant scientific voyages, during which many new plant species were collected and documented across the tropics.

Anthurium scherzerianum was first described formally by Heinrich Wilhelm Schott, a leading Austrian botanist and specialist in the family Araceae, in 1857. It was among the species brought to European attention during the mid-nineteenth century era of intensive botanical exploration in Central America. The plant was introduced to European horticulture relatively quickly after its discovery and became popular as a conservatory and later houseplant throughout the Victorian era, prized for its exotic appearance and long-lasting floral display. It gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, reflecting its enduring value as an ornamental plant in suitable indoor conditions.

Varieties to know

Anthurium scherzerianum 'Rothschildianum'

A striking cultivar bearing white spathes spotted with red, creating a distinctive polka-dot effect.

Anthurium scherzerianum 'Album'

Produces pure white spathes rather than the typical red, giving a more understated appearance.

Anthurium scherzerianum 'Wardii'

Features deep, dark red spathes and is considered one of the more richly coloured cultivars.

Anthurium scherzerianum 'Compactum'

A more compact-growing form, well suited to smaller spaces, with proportionally smaller spathes and leaves.

Fun facts

• The coiled or pigtail-shaped spadix is the key morphological feature that distinguishes Anthurium scherzerianum from the more commonly sold Anthurium andraeanum, which has a straight, upright spadix.
• The colourful, waxy structure most people think of as the flower is actually a modified leaf called a spathe; the true flowers are tiny and arranged along the coiled spadix.
• A single spathe can remain colourful and ornamental for up to eight weeks before gradually turning green as the true flowering process completes.
• In its native cloud forest habitat in Costa Rica and Guatemala, Anthurium scherzerianum grows anchored to tree bark or mossy rocks rather than in soil, which explains its preference for an airy, bark-based growing medium in cultivation.
• The genus Anthurium is one of the largest in the family Araceae, containing over 1,000 recognised species, and is found almost exclusively in the tropical Americas.

Flamingo Flower FAQ