heart shaped red flower plant

The Captivating Heart Shaped Red Flower Plant – Anthurium

The anthurium is a stunning tropical plant known for its beautiful heart shaped red flowers. This exotic houseplant also called the flamingo flower or flamingo lily, is a popular choice for adding a taste of the tropics to any indoor space. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about growing and caring for these captivating plants.

Anthuriums belong to the Araceae family and are native to tropical rainforests in South and Central America. There are over 1000 different species, but the two most common types grown as houseplants are Anthurium andraeanum and Anthurium scherzerianum. These varieties produce glossy green leaves in heart shapes and vibrant red spathes which look like plastic flowers but are actually modified leaves. The small spike emerging from the spathe called the spadix hosts the true tiny flowers.

One of the reasons anthuriums make fantastic houseplants is their long lasting flowers. With proper care, they can bloom repeatedly for months on end, brightening up any living space. Their slow to moderate growth rate and relatively compact size, reaching between 1-3 feet tall, also makes them ideal for desks, tabletops and shelves. Just be sure to place them somewhere with bright, indirect light and away from direct sun which can burn their leaves.

Caring for these tropical beauties indoors does come with some specific requirements to create the humid, warm conditions of their native habitat. Luckily, meeting their needs is quite straightforward with just a bit of diligence. Here are the key tips for keeping your heart shaped red anthurium thriving:

Watering

• Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. Anthuriums are prone to root rot if overwatered.
• Water thoroughly until it flows from the drainage holes, but don’t let the pot sit in water.

Soil

• Use a coarse, well-draining potting mix, like orchid bark mixed with perlite or coco coir.

Humidity

• Maintain at least 50% humidity. Set on a pebble tray, mist leaves or use a humidifier.

Light

• Bright, indirect light is essential. East facing windows are ideal.

Temperature

• Prefers consistent warmth between 60°F and 90°F (15°C – 32°C).

Fertilizer

• Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/4 strength during spring and summer.

With its spectacular flowers and attractive foliage, it’s no wonder the anthurium has earned its common names of flamingo flower and painter’s palette. Caring for these tropical beauties as houseplants does require paying attention to their preferences, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Once established in the right conditions, anthuriums can live for many years, blooming repeatedly to add bold, vibrant color within your indoor garden.

If the heart shaped red blooms of this exotic plant have captivated you, make sure to provide bright filtered light, steady warmth, and humidity. Water thoroughly as the top soil dries out and use a well-draining potting mix. With a little diligence to provide care tailored to their needs, you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of anthuriums in your indoor space for years to come. Their lush green leaves and radiant red spathes will bring a cheerful, tropical allure wherever they’re placed.

Anthuriums, also known as flamingo flowers, are relatively easy to care for, requiring bright, indirect light, well-draining soil, and moderate watering. They thrive in high humidity and warm temperatures, so consider misting them regularly or placing them on a tray of pebbles with water.