Why are my leaves turning yellow?

This is often a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.

Does it need direct sunlight?

No, it prefers bright, indirect light to avoid leaf scorch.

Plant guide

Flamingo Flower.

Anthurium

Pronounced an-THOO-ree-um

Also known as Laceleaf, anthuriums, flamingo plants

Anthurium andraeanum — Photo by Diogo Luiz (CC BY) via iNaturalist

Anthuriums are stunning tropical plants known for their glossy, heart shaped leaves and vibrant, waxy spathes. They bring a touch of the rainforest into your home with their exotic appearance. These beauties thrive when given a bit of extra attention and consistent conditions.

Another photo of Flamingo Flower — Photo by Juan Carlos Caicedo Hernández (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tropical epiphyte
Light: Bright indirect light is best to encourage blooming.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 10 days
Mature size: 1 to 3 feet tall
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 11 to 12
Bloom time: Year round under ideal conditions

Care

Keep your plant in a warm spot with high humidity to mimic its native environment. Watch for yellowing leaves which often signal overwatering or poor drainage. Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them dust free and healthy.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim away any yellow or damaged leaves at the base of the stem.
Repotting: Repot when the roots begin to crowd the container.
Soil: Well draining orchid bark 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
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause burning and swelling of the mouth and throat.
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 the leaves and stems are toxic if chewed or swallowed.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There is no notable respiratory allergen risk.
Edibility: All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and can cause severe mouth irritation.

How to identify it

Glossy heart shaped leaves
Bright waxy spathes
Spadix protruding from center
Thick fleshy roots

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.6m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: red, pink, white, green, 5 to 15cm
Fruit: red, orange, rarely produced in home settings

Problems to watch for

Brown Leaf EdgesCommon
Root RotCommon
Spider MitesCommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
MealybugsUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon
ThripsUncommon

By symptom

Check your flamingo flower from a photo

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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 during the cooler months when growth slows.
In containers: They grow very well in containers, provided the pot has excellent drainage and a chunky, well-draining soil mix.

Division

Gently remove the plant from its pot.
Separate the root ball into smaller sections with healthy roots and leaves.
Repot each section into fresh, well-draining potting mix.

Group tropical plants together to create a microclimate that naturally increases local humidity.

Grows well with

Peace Lily — They share similar requirements for humidity and indirect light.
Philodendron — These tropical plants thrive in the same warm, humid environment.

Similar species

Peace Lily — Both are members of the Araceae family with similar foliage.
Dieffenbachia — Shares the same tropical family and 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 and overcollection.

It grows as an epiphyte on trees or in the forest floor leaf litter to capture filtered light.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees
Uses: houseplant, cut flower, tropical decor

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 my leaves turning yellow?: This is often a sign of overwatering or poor drainage.
Does it need direct sunlight?: No, it prefers bright, indirect light to avoid leaf scorch.

Where the name comes from

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

Good to know

Anthuriums are epiphytes in their native rainforest habitat.
The spadix is the actual spike containing tiny true flowers.
They are among the longest lasting cut flowers available.
The name comes from Greek words for tail and flower.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

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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.