Anthurium andreanum red flower

Credit: Алекке Блажин

2 Red André Anthuriums with leaves

Credit: Mobile Photography

Anthurium andreanum in the wild

Credit: Manfred Richter

Anthurium andreanum, a year-round flowering plant

Anthurium andreanum is native toEcuador and Colombia. It is also found on Reunion Island and in the West Indies, where it is known by the Creole name of awon or antoryom. Like Alocasia zebrina or Monstera adansonii, this tropical plant belongs to the Araceae family.

How to recognize an Anthurium andreanum?

With its upright habit and short stem, Anthurium d'André reaches a maximum height of 80 centimetres and a spread of one metre.

Its long, bright-green, varnish-like leaves measure between ten and twenty centimetres.

They are topped by a heart-shaped spathe of bright red, salmon pink or white and a yellow or white spadix. Anthurium andreanum, sometimes nicknamed "tongue of fire", blooms in winter, but in the right environment, it will come into bloom several times a year.

Although Anthurium andreanum is said to have depolluting virtues, its sap and leaves are toxic. They cause skin irritation and digestive problems if ingested, even by pets.

Our maintenance tips

Light, warmth and humidity are the secret to seeing your Anthurium andreanum flourish.

Watering

Anthurium andreanum fear excess water. To prevent root rot, allow the substrate to dry between waterings and remove any stagnant water from the saucer.

Water the soil preferably with rainwater. The soil should be moist but not soggy.

Spray

In its natural environment, anthurium andreanum benefits fromhigh humidity. To make your plant feel at home in your home, regularly mist the top and bottom of the foliage with non-calcareous water at room temperature.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Anthurium andreanum to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Re-pot in a perforated pot. It should be two or three centimeters wider than the plant.

At the bottom, place a bed of clay balls or gravel to promote drainage. You can cover with drainage felt so that the potting soil doesn't mix with the marbles. This avoids clogging the holes that facilitate water drainage.

Choose a light substrate such as orchid potting soil combined with perlite. You can also make a mixture of heather soil, sand, leaf compost and charcoal. Pour on a first layer of potting soil and plant your specimen. Then add substrate until you reach two or three centimetres below the rim of the pot.

Pack the soil lightly so as not to suffocate the roots. From the third day, when the roots have healed, start watering your plant.

Place your pot on a saucer filled with moist clay balls. The evaporation of the water will improve the hygrometry without risking root rot.

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Feed anthurium andreanum with flowering plant fertilizer every two weeks.

Cleaning

The dust that accumulates on the leaves of your Anthurium andreanum slows down the photosynthesis process. To enable it to thrive, dust regularly and gently.

To remove dust, wipe both sides of the leaf with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Support the larger ones with your other hand to prevent damage.

If your plant looks dirty, you can add some black soap to the water to moisten your cloth.

Prune

You can remove the yellowed leaves.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Locate one of the young shoots that has formed at the foot of the main plant. Take care to remove it with its roots.

Place the rejects in a perforated pot. Pour clay balls or small pebbles into the bottom to form a drainage layer. Top up with light potting soil, such as orchid potting soil combined with perlite.

Wintering

The plant needs a winter period to flower from one year to the next.

Reduce watering and stop fertilizing. Place your plant in a room that is four or five degrees cooler. But remember, the temperature must always remain above 15°.

Diseases / Threats

Red spiders

Mealybugs

Information

Family	Araceae - Araceae
Type	Anthurium - Anthurium
Species	Anthurium andreanum - Anthurium andreanum
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposure	Half-shade
Substrats	Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Interior Flowery
Tags	Beginner Flowery Toxic
Origins	South Africa South America Indian Ocean
Hardiness (USDA)	11b
Leaf color
Flower colors