Anthurium (Flamingo Flower): Meaning, Bouquets and Care

The flamingo flower is the anthurium, a tropical plant with glossy heart-shaped blooms. What it means, how florists use it and how to care for it.

Anthurium goes by several names. Flamingo flower, flamingo plant, flamingo lily, laceleaf and tailflower all point to the same genus, and most of what you see in London shops is Anthurium andraeanum and its hybrids. We sell it two ways from our studio in Southwark: as a potted plant, and as a cut stem worked into bouquets. The two need slightly different care, so this guide covers both.

What is the flamingo flower?

Anthurium is a member of the arum family, native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, where many species grow on tree trunks rather than in soil. The name comes from the Greek for "flower" and "tail", which describes the plant better than anything a florist could come up with.

The "petal" is not a petal

The shiny, heart-shaped part that everyone calls the flower is a spathe, a modified leaf. The real flowers are tiny and packed along the upright spike in the middle, the spadix, or "tail". This is why an anthurium looks so finished and so still: there are no soft petals to drop, and the spathe has a waxy surface that holds its colour for weeks.

Colours

Red is the classic flamingo flower, but growers now offer pink, white, green, orange, deep burgundy that reads almost black, and two-tone spathes that shade from pink into green. Because anthuriums are grown under glass, they are available all year round rather than in a short season.

Anthurium meaning

Anthurium is most often associated with hospitality, and the heart shape gives it an obvious link to love and affection. Because a single stem lasts so long, people also read it as a symbol of lasting feeling and abundance. In practice, that makes it a good fit for a housewarming, a thank-you, a new office or an anniversary, and a sensible choice for anyone who would rather not send something that fades by the weekend.

Anthurium bouquets: how florists use flamingo flowers

In a bouquet, anthurium does the job that a single bold shape does in any design: it gives the eye somewhere to land. A few stems are enough. Used in bulk, it turns a bouquet tropical and graphic; used sparingly, it adds a clean, modern note to softer flowers.

Why it works in a bouquet

• It lasts. A cut anthurium often stays fresh for two to three weeks, well beyond the roses and hydrangeas around it.
• It photographs well. The glossy spathe catches light and keeps its shape, so the bouquet looks the same on day ten as on day one.
• It copes with warm rooms. Anthurium dislikes cold far more than heat, which suits London flats and offices with the heating on.

What it pairs with

Anthurium sits happily next to roses, hydrangeas and chrysanthemums, and it looks at home with other structured flowers such as calla lilies and orchids. Dark foliage and berries make the red and burgundy varieties look richer. You can see the effect in our Glossy anthuriums pride bouquet, where anthurium is the lead flower, and in Majestic noir, which sets it among hydrangeas and roses.

Anthurium bridal bouquets and wedding flowers

An anthurium bouquet for a wedding is a deliberate style choice. It reads modern, architectural and slightly tropical, and it suits a clean dress, a city venue or a summer ceremony. There are practical reasons too: the waxy spathes do not bruise easily, they cope well out of water for the length of a wedding day, and they do not wilt in a warm room the way garden roses and sweet peas can.

A few points worth knowing before you choose it for a bridal bouquet:

• Anthurium looks best with a small palette. White with green, or red with dark foliage, is stronger than a mix of five colours.
• Calla lilies are its natural partner: both have smooth, sculptural lines. Our Lunar touch calla and anthurium bridal bouquet is built on that pairing.
• Single stems make good buttonholes because they hold their shape all day.

The flamingo flower plant: care at home

As a houseplant, anthurium is one of the few flowering plants that keeps blooming through much of the year if it gets enough light. Our potted Flamingo flower is a common housewarming and office gift for that reason. Here is what it needs.

Light

Bright, indirect light. A spot a metre or so back from a bright window is ideal. Direct summer sun scorches the leaves; a dark corner keeps the plant green but stops it flowering.

Water

Water when the top two or three centimetres of compost feel dry, then let the excess drain away. Never leave the pot standing in water. Overwatering is the most common way to lose an anthurium, and yellowing lower leaves are usually the first sign.

Warmth and humidity

Anthurium is a tropical plant and wants a steady room temperature, roughly 15–25°C, away from cold draughts and radiators. It likes humid air: a bathroom or kitchen with good light suits it, or stand the pot on a tray of wet pebbles. Brown, crisp leaf tips usually mean the air is too dry.

Feeding, tidying and repotting

Feed with a diluted houseplant fertiliser every few weeks in spring and summer, less in winter. Cut spent flowers off at the base once the spathe fades or turns green. Repot every couple of years into a chunky, free-draining mix, such as orchid bark blended with houseplant compost; the roots need air as much as water.

Pets and children

All parts of the anthurium plant contain calcium oxalate crystals, which irritate the mouth and throat if chewed. Keep it out of reach of cats, dogs and small children.

Caring for cut anthuriums

Cut stems are simpler still. Re-cut the stem at an angle when the bouquet arrives, put it in clean water and change the water every two or three days. Keep the vase in a warm room and never in the fridge: anthurium is damaged by cold, and chilled spathes develop dark patches. If a stem starts to droop, re-cut it and give it fresh water.

If you would like a flamingo flower as a plant rather than a stem, browse our indoor plants. We deliver across London seven days a week, with same-day delivery on orders placed by 10pm.

Frequently asked questions

Is the flamingo flower the same as the flamingo plant?

Usually, yes. "Flamingo flower", "flamingo plant" and "flamingo lily" are all common names for anthurium. The names are occasionally used for other plants, so check for Anthurium on the label.

How long does a cut anthurium last?

Often two to three weeks in a vase, and sometimes longer, provided the water is changed regularly and the stems are kept warm rather than cold.

Why is my anthurium plant not flowering?

Almost always too little light. Move it closer to a bright window, out of direct sun, and it should start flowering again.

Are anthuriums poisonous to cats and dogs?

Yes, anthurium is toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing the leaves or flowers causes mouth irritation, drooling and sometimes vomiting. Keep the plant where pets cannot reach it, and call your vet if a pet has eaten some.

Can you use anthurium in a bridal bouquet?

Yes. It holds up well through a long day out of water and suits modern, minimal and summer weddings, especially paired with calla lilies.