Why are the leaf tips turning brown?

This is usually a sign of low humidity or inconsistent watering.

How much light does it need?

They prefer bright, indirect light to bloom well.

Plant guide

Anthurium.

Anthurium

Pronounced an-THOO-ree-um

Also known as Laceleaf, anthuriums, flamingo plants

anthuriums (genus) — Photo by David Sánchez-Gómez (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Anthuriums are stunning tropical plants known for their waxy, heart shaped spathes. They bring a touch of the rainforest into your home with their bold foliage and long lasting blooms. These plants thrive in warm, humid conditions and make excellent indoor companions.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tropical perennial
Light: Bright, filtered light
Indoor light: bright-indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: Up to 1 meter tall
Growth rate: medium
Hardiness: USDA 11 to 12
Bloom time: Year round in ideal conditions

Care

Keep your plant in a spot with bright, indirect light to encourage consistent blooming. Use a well draining potting mix and let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal overwatering or poor drainage.

Watering: Water when the top 2 to 3 centimeters of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Remove yellow or damaged leaves and spent blooms to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Repot only when the roots have filled the container or the soil has broken down.
Soil: Peat based, well draining mix
Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 60 to 80%
Drought tolerance: low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years with proper care.
Deer and rabbits: moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water running straight through the pot without soaking in.
The plant stops growing despite good light.

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause intense burning and swelling upon contact with mucous membranes.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, causing irritation to the mouth and digestive tract.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children, as chewing on the leaves or stems causes immediate pain and potential airway swelling.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant airborne respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and can cause severe irritation to the mouth and throat.

How to identify it

Heart shaped glossy leaves
Waxy, colorful spathe
Spadix with tiny flowers
Thick, fleshy stems

Height: 0.3 to 1m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: red, pink, white, 5 to 15cm

Common problems

Root rot — This occurs when the soil stays too wet for too long, causing the roots to decay.
Spider mites — These tiny pests thrive in dry indoor air and cause stippling on the leaves.
Leaf spot — Fungal or bacterial infections often appear as dark, water soaked spots on the foliage.

Growing it

Propagation: division, cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant in a warm spot away from cold drafts or heating vents. Reduce watering slightly, but never let the soil dry out completely.
In containers: They grow very well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and is at least 6 to 8 inches wide.

Division

1. Remove the plant from its pot during repotting.
2. Gently tease the root ball apart to separate offsets.
3. Ensure each new section has roots and leaves.
4. Pot the new divisions in fresh, well draining mix.

Group plants with similar humidity needs together to create a microclimate that keeps everyone happy.

Grows well with

Peace Lily — They share similar requirements for humidity and indirect light.
Philodendron — These plants thrive in the same tropical conditions and look great together.

Keep away from

Succulents — Succulents require much drier soil and higher light levels than anthuriums.

Similar species

Peace Lily — Both have similar foliage and a spathe and spadix flower structure.
Calla Lily — They share a similar flower shape, though they have different care needs.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Anthurium
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical regions of Central and South America.
Conservation: Many wild species are threatened by habitat loss, so ensure you purchase nursery grown plants rather than wild collected specimens.

In the wild, these plants grow in the humid understory of tropical forests, often clinging to trees for support.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: indoor ornamental, cut flower, air purification

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 4/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are the leaf tips turning brown?: This is usually a sign of low humidity or inconsistent watering.
How much light does it need?: They prefer bright, indirect light to bloom well.

Where the name comes from

The name comes from the Greek words anthos, meaning flower, and oura, meaning tail, referring to the spadix.

Good to know

Anthuriums are often called flamingo flowers because of their bright, glossy spathes.
They are epiphytes in nature, meaning they often grow on trees rather than in the ground.
The spadix, the spike in the center of the spathe, is actually covered in tiny, true flowers.

Is your anthurium looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.