How to Grow and Care for Anthurium andreanum (Flamingo Flower) in Containers
Intro: Anthurium andreanum, often called the flamingo flower, has heart-shaped leaves that come in red, white, pink and variegated colors. This plant is originally from wet tropical mountain forests of Central and South America, so it does best in warm, wet climates. This is one of the few plants that can move its leaves toward or away from the sun (another heliotrope is the sunflower).
Scientific Name: Anthurium andreanum
Plant Type: Flowering plant
Light: Provide flamingo flowers with bright indirect light for best growth.
Water: Keep the Anthurium andreanum's potting soil moist at all times. Mist aerial roots (roots that are above the ground) frequently.
Fertilizer: Either use a slow-release plant fertilizer (follow the manufacturer's instructions), or use a liquid fertilizer with a diluted 3:1:2 NPK ratio (read more about plant fertilizers here) every other time you water. For best results when fertilizing your Anthurium andreanum, dilute the liquid fertilizer to a quarter strength.
Temperature: The flamingo flower grows best from about 80 to 90 degrees during the day and with warm nights. If temperatures dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, these plants will yellow and grow very slowly. If temperatures dip below freezing, they will not survive. Bring your flamingo flower indoors if temperatures dip below 40 degrees or above 90.
Pests and Diseases: Common garden pests that can be found on flamingo flower plants are aphids, scales, mealybugs, thrips and gnats. Blight and fungus are diseases that can possibly affect your flamingo flower plant.
Propagation: To propagate your flamingo flower, divide or take cuttings of stems with two nodes or more. Put cuttings in water (just as you would when propagating pothos), and about a month later, plant the Anthurium cuttings in plant containers. Keep them out of direct sunlight while they are in water.
Misc. Info: Anthurium andreanum needs high humidity and warmth to thrive, so it does better indoors in temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Push any aerial roots should into the potting soil.
