There is a moment, when you first see a well-grown Anthurium in full bloom, where you stop and stare. The flowers — technically spathes, waxy and lacquered, in colors ranging from the deepest crimson to the palest blush to pure white — look almost too perfect to be real. They look like something a florist arranged, not something a plant grew. And yet there they are, emerging one after another from a healthy plant, lasting for months at a time, in one of the most sustained and spectacular floral displays available to any houseplant grower.
In South Florida, the Anthurium is not just a houseplant. It is a statement. And in our warm, humid climate, it thrives in ways that plant lovers in the rest of the country can only dream about.
What Is the Anthurium?
Anthurium is a large genus of tropical plants in the family Araceae — the same family as Monstera, Philodendron and Peace Lily — native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. There are over 1,000 species, ranging from tiny miniatures to enormous landscape plants, but the Anthuriums most commonly grown as houseplants are the flowering varieties: Anthurium andraeanum and its many hybrids.
What makes them extraordinary is the flower. The showy part is actually a modified leaf called a spathe — a waxy, heart-shaped bract that surrounds the true flowers, which are tiny and arranged along a finger-like spadix that protrudes from the center. The spathe is what catches the eye: glossy, lacquered, almost plastic-looking in its perfection, and available in an extraordinary range of colors — deep crimson, bright scarlet, hot coral, soft salmon, pale blush pink, pure white, deep burgundy, and even near-black in some varieties.
A healthy Anthurium blooms almost continuously, producing new spathes every few weeks. Each spathe lasts for two to three months. The result is a plant that is almost always in some stage of bloom — one of the most sustained flowering performances of any houseplant available.
Why South Florida Is Perfect for Anthurium
Anthuriums evolved in tropical rainforests — warm, humid, bright but shaded environments. South Florida delivers these conditions better than almost anywhere else in the continental United States:
- Warmth year-round — Anthuriums are cold-sensitive and suffer below 55°F. South Florida's frost-free climate means they can live outdoors or on a lanai year-round without any cold protection
- High humidity — Anthuriums love humidity. South Florida's naturally humid climate, especially during the summer rainy season, is ideal. In drier northern climates, Anthuriums struggle indoors because the air is too dry
- Bright indirect light — South Florida's bright light, filtered through a lanai screen or a shaded outdoor spot, is exactly what Anthuriums need to bloom prolifically
- Warm nights — Anthuriums bloom most freely when night temperatures stay above 65°F. South Florida delivers this for most of the year
The result: an Anthurium on a South Florida lanai or in a bright South Florida home will bloom more freely, grow more vigorously, and look more spectacular than the same plant grown anywhere else in the country.
Anthurium as the Ultimate Valentine's Plant
The Anthurium's heart-shaped spathe and deep crimson color have made it one of the most romantic plants in the world — and with good reason. A large Anthurium in full bloom, with multiple crimson hearts glowing against its deep green foliage, is one of the most genuinely beautiful living gifts you can give.
Unlike cut flowers, which last a week, an Anthurium in bloom lasts for months — and then blooms again. It is a living expression of something lasting rather than something fleeting. For Valentine's Day in South Florida, where the warm climate means the plant will thrive outdoors for years, it is the perfect romantic gift.
Anthurium Care in South Florida
Light: Bright indirect light is ideal. Outdoors, a spot with bright shade — under a tree canopy, on a covered lanai, or on the north or east side of the house — is perfect. Indoors, a bright spot near a window but out of direct sun. Direct afternoon sun will burn the leaves and bleach the spathes. Insufficient light will reduce blooming significantly.
Watering: Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry, then allow to drain completely. Anthuriums are susceptible to root rot in soggy soil — good drainage is essential. In South Florida's summer rainy season, outdoor Anthuriums may need very little supplemental watering. Indoors, water every 7-10 days depending on conditions.
Humidity: The higher the better. South Florida's outdoor humidity is ideal. Indoors in air-conditioned spaces, occasional misting or a pebble tray with water helps maintain the humidity Anthuriums love.
Fertilizing: Feed monthly from March through October with a balanced liquid fertilizer or one slightly higher in phosphorus to encourage blooming. A well-fed Anthurium in South Florida's warm climate will bloom almost continuously. Do not fertilize in winter.
Soil: Anthuriums need excellent drainage. A mix of potting soil with added orchid bark or perlite works well — the roots need air as much as moisture. Never plant in heavy, dense soil.
Repotting: Repot every 2-3 years or when roots are visibly emerging from the drainage holes. Move up one pot size at a time. Anthuriums actually bloom better when slightly root-bound — do not over-pot.
Cleaning: The large, glossy leaves collect dust. Wipe them gently with a damp cloth every few weeks to keep them looking their best and to maximize photosynthesis.
Common Problems
- Yellow leaves — usually overwatering or poor drainage. Check the soil and ensure the pot drains freely
- Brown leaf tips — low humidity or inconsistent watering. Increase humidity and water more regularly
- Few or no flowers — insufficient light is the most common cause. Move to a brighter spot. Also check fertilizing — a phosphorus-rich fertilizer encourages blooming
- Pale or bleached spathes — too much direct sun. Move to bright indirect light
- Root rot — caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Remove affected roots, repot in fresh well-draining mix, and reduce watering
Anthurium Varieties Worth Growing
The world of Anthurium varieties is extraordinary. A few worth seeking out for South Florida growing:
- Classic red — the deep crimson standard, timeless and spectacular. The most freely blooming and easiest to grow
- White — pure white spathes with a pale yellow spadix. Elegant, sophisticated, extraordinary in a white or neutral interior
- Pink — from soft blush to vivid hot pink. Beautiful and cheerful, excellent for bright spaces
- Obake varieties — large spathes with multiple colors — green and red, white and pink — dramatic and unusual
- Dark varieties — deep burgundy to near-black spathes. Moody, sophisticated, extraordinary as a statement plant
Anthurium as a Design Element
Beyond its flowers, the Anthurium is a genuinely beautiful foliage plant. Its large, deep green, heart-shaped leaves are glossy and architectural. A large Anthurium — even when not in bloom — is a beautiful plant. In bloom, it is extraordinary.
In a South Florida home, Anthuriums work beautifully in many settings:
- As a statement plant on a lanai or covered outdoor space
- As a dining table centerpiece in a beautiful ceramic pot
- Grouped with other tropical plants — Monstera, Philodendron, Bird of Paradise — for a lush tropical interior
- As a single specimen in a beautiful pot in a bright corner
- As a gift plant, presented in bloom in a beautiful container
The Anthurium is one of those rare plants that is simultaneously easy enough for a beginner and spectacular enough for the most discerning plant collector. In South Florida's climate, it rewards even modest care with months of extraordinary bloom. 🌸
We are adding Anthuriums to our collection soon — sign up for our newsletter to be notified when they arrive at Green Millennium.
