Why are my leaves turning yellow?

This is often a sign of overwatering or poor soil drainage.

Does it need direct sunlight?

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

Plant guide

Anthurium.

Anthurium andraeanum

Pronounced an-THOO-ree-um an-dray-AH-num

Also known as Flamingo-Lily, anthurium, flamingo-flower, oilcloth-flower, painter's-palette

painter's-palette — Photo by Diogo Luiz (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This tropical beauty is famous for its waxy, heart shaped spathes that look like bright flowers. It thrives in warm, humid spots and adds a lovely pop of color to any indoor space. You will love how long its blooms last.

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

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tropical perennial
Light: Bright indirect light
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 10 days
Mature size: 60 to 90 cm
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 11 to 12
Bloom time: Year round under ideal conditions

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal overwatering or poor drainage. High humidity is key to keeping this plant happy and preventing brown leaf tips.

Watering: Water when the top few centimeters of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.
Pruning: Remove spent blooms and yellowing leaves at the base to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Repot when the roots have filled the container or the soil has broken down.
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 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 producing new leaves.
The potting medium has broken down into a dense, muddy consistency.

Safety

People: The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause painful burning and swelling upon contact with sensitive tissues.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, as it contains calcium oxalate crystals.
Children: Keep this plant out of reach of children as ingestion of any part causes immediate pain and potential airway swelling.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen from the spadix may cause mild reactions in those with severe allergies.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested and can cause severe irritation to the mouth and throat.

How to identify it

Glossy heart shaped dark green leaves
Waxy brightly colored spathe
Prominent central spadix
Sturdy upright stems

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

Problems to watch for

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

By symptom

Check your anthurium from a photo

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Growing it

Propagation: division, cuttings, seed
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 winter months when growth slows down.
In containers: It grows very well in containers, provided you use a well draining, chunky potting mix in a pot with drainage holes.

Division

Gently remove the plant from its pot.
Carefully separate the root ball into smaller sections.
Ensure each section has healthy roots and leaves.
Repot the divisions into fresh, airy potting mix.
Water lightly and keep in a warm, humid spot.

Group this plant with other tropicals to create a microclimate that helps maintain necessary humidity levels.

Grows well with

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

Similar species

Bird's Nest Anthurium — It is a related species with a similar growth habit but different leaf shape.

Science

Family: Araceae
Genus: Anthurium
Order: Alismatales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Tropical rainforests of Colombia and Ecuador.
Conservation: This species is not currently threatened in its native range.

It grows as an epiphyte in the humid understory of tropical forests, using trees for support to reach filtered light.

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

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

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

Where the name comes from

The name Anthurium comes from the Greek words for tail and flower, referring to the spadix. The species name andraeanum honors the French botanist Edouard Andre.

Good to know

It is commonly called the flamingo flower.
The waxy spathe helps protect the tiny flowers on the spadix.
It is an epiphyte that grows on trees in its natural habitat.
The flowers can last for several weeks on the plant.

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.