Anthurium andraeanum, commonly known as Flamingo Lilies, have an exotic look and brightly colored flowers. The Anthurium genus is native to tropical and subtropical South America, so these houseplants thrive in warm, humid conditions.
Flamingo Lily care can be tricky for beginners, but with the following tips, your houseplant will thrive.
See other plant specific care guides here.
| Name | Anthurium andraeanum Flamingo Lily, Painter’s Palette, Laceleaf |
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect light |
| Water | Keep the soil moist (but not soaking wet) during the summer and spring During the winter, allow the top inch of soil to dry between watering |
| Soil | Loose, well-draining soil |
| Temperature | Warmer temperatures Do not keep at temperatures lower than 50 °F (10 °C) |
| Humidity | High humidity |
| Propagation | From seed, stem cuttings or by division |
| Dormancy | Winter dormant |
| Toxicity | Toxic to cats, dogs and children |
General Flamingo Lily Information
Flamingo Lilies have heart-shaped leaves and bright, salmon-red colored flowers. Their vibrant colors and unique patterns add a burst of color and tropical feel to any room.
The blossoms consist of a leathery, shiny spathe, which surrounds a central rod called spadix. The plant typically blooms between February and July, but in warmer climates, it may bloom year-round. Each bloom lasts about six weeks.
Growth
Flaming Lilies can reach heights up to 2 feet (60 cm).
The flower will grow about 2 to 3 inches long (5 to 8 cm).
Flamingo Lily Sunlight
In it’s natural rain forest habitat, the Flamingo Lily receives bright, filtered sunlight.
To replicate those conditions, place your Anthurium a few feet away from a bright window, so that it receives indirect sunlight. West-facing windows are best because they provide bright afternoon sun. Avoid placing your Anthurium right next to a window, especially a South-facing one, as these provide harsh, bright light and burn the leaves.
Indoors, dust collects on the leaves of Flamingo Lilies, interfering with their ability to absorb sunlight. Periodically wash the leaves with a wet towel to keep them clean.
It is important to move your plant around until you find a good balance of light. Flamingo Lilies receiving excess sunlight will develop a scorched center or brown tips. On the other hand, lilies with insufficient sunlight will have few to no flowers.
Temperature & Humidity
Flamingo Lilies thrive in warmer areas with high humidity. Anthurium andraeanum would grow well in rooms with a naturally high humidity, such as bathrooms or kitchens.
If your air is really dry, the following techniques increase humidity and help Flamingo Lilies thrive:
- Misting the leaves every so often with a spray bottle
- Keeping a humidifier nearby
- Placing a bowl filled with water next to the pot so the evaporating moisture increases humidity
Anthurium grow well at room temperature (60 to 75 °F or 15 to 24 °C). For optimal Flamingo Lily care indoors, do not let the temperature drop below 60 °F (15.5 °C).
Flamingo Lilies will die at temperatures below freezing.
Keep your Flamingo Lily away from air-conditioning vents or heaters, as the air around these areas is especially dry.
Flower Temperature
The Flamingo Lily flower grows best at daytime temperatures of 80 to 90 °F (27 to 32 °C) with warm nights.
Watering
The Flamingo Lily is used to the warm, humid environments of rain forests. They grow during the spring and summer and are dormant in winter. Therefore, their watering needs to be tweaked based on the season.
Spring and Summer Watering
Since Flamingo Lilies enjoy humid environments, allow their soil to remain consistently moist (but not soaking wet) during these months. If you notice the top inch of soil is dry, it is time to water.
However, be careful not to over water your plant because that could lead to root rot. The soil should never be soaking wet. Do not allow the plant to sit in standing water.
If your pot has a drainage hole, discard any water that comes out of it- do not let the plant to sit in a saucer full of water.
Winter Watering
Winter months require less frequent watering. Let the top inch of soil dry out before watering again.
Take extra caution not to over water during this time to prevent rot.
General Watering Tips
Be aware that brighter, drier conditions will require more frequent watering than more humid or darker conditions.
Improper Watering Signs
Over watering Flamingo Lilies or planting in poor drainage can lead to root rot. This will cause the leaves to turn yellow or brown. When unpotting, you will notice the roots are black or dark brown and slimy.
Under watering Flamingo Lilies will cause brown leaf tips that appear crispy.
Soil
The ideal soil maintains moisture while simultaneously providing adequate drainage. A regular houseplant potting soil will work well for your Anthurium.
Potting
Choose a pot that is about 1/3 larger than the plant’s roots. Do not choose a pot larger than this because it could drown the roots. Pots with drainage holes are best because they remove excess water.
Re-pot your Anthurium when you see roots growing through the drainage hole or popping up in the soil, as these are signs it has outgrown it’s pot. Anthurium need to be re-potted every few years.
Re-pot Flamingo Lilies during the springtime. When re-potting, chose a pot that is about 1.5 times the diameter of the previous one.
Fertilizing
Fertilize your Flamingo Lily once a month during the spring and summer time. Do not fertilize during the winter.
Dilute your liquid fertilizer to a quarter strength or use a slow release fertilizer for best results.
Improper Fertilization
Excess fertilizer will cause the Flamingo Lily’s leaves to turn pale, yellow-white, or develop brown tips.
To fix this, slowly run distilled water through the container onto the soil to leech the material out.
Nutrient deficiencies will cause misshapen and discolored leaves, as well as stunted growth.
Propagation
To propagate an Anthurium, follow the following steps:
- Obtain a cutting. The optimal cutting will be about 6 inches long and have at least 2 nodes
- Allow the open cut to dry out for several hours.
- Place the cutting in a pot with well-draining soil. Secure the soil around the cutting.
- Keep the pot in a warm environment and water enough to keep the top inch of soil moist. Do not let the top layer of soil dry out.
- Provide the pot with bright, filtered sunlight and a warm environment.
- It will take about a month or two for your cutting to develop roots. Do not disrupt the cutting during this time.
Warm, moist environments promote propagation growth. Try putting a Ziploc bag with holes poked in it as a cover around the plant to replicate greenhouse conditions and promote moisture. Water regularly to encourage root growth.
Division
If your Anthurium has outgrown it’s pot, you may chose this method. Dividing a larger plant to reasonable sizes keeps it healthy and promotes flowering.
Luckily, this method is quite easy. Take the plant out of the pot, and carefully separate the roots. Look for offshoots, which are easier to separate. Plant the new divisions into appropriately sized pots.
Flamingo Lily Toxicity
Unfortunately, Flamingo Lilies are poisonous, so keep them out of reach of curious children, cats, or dogs. The flower is covered by a waxy layer called saponin, which is slightly toxic.
It causes skin irritation if it makes contact or gastrointestinal irritation if ingested.
As long as the plant is out of reach, it is safe to have around. It is a good idea to wear gloves whenever re-potting or pruning the plant to minimize contact.
Pests
Occasionally, you may have a problem with pests such as mealybugs, spider mites or scale.
Signs of infestation include:
- Sticky, white or silken webbing
- Little brown dots on the leaves
- White substance that looks like wool
- Black powder on the leaves
- Leaf color or shape change
Check your plant closely for any pests. They especially like to hang out in the nooks and crannies and can be difficult to spot. As soon as you notice signs of infestation, quarantine your Flamingo Lily away from other plants to prevent spread.
Treatment
Aphids
Wipe the leaves with a soapy hot water solution (1 liter of water mixed with 1 tablespoon of soap) and wash the plant with high pressure water.
Mealy bugs
Dab a q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol at any bugs you see (don’t worry, the rubbing alcohol will not harm your plants).
You will have to repeat this process once every couple of days for a few weeks to completely remove the infestation.
Mites
Mites prefer dry, dusty conditions. Maintaining a moist soil will help prevent mite presence on your Anthurium. Spray down your Flamingo Lily with a hose or forceful stream of water to knock off the mites.
Flamingo Lily Care Indoors FAQ
Why do my Anthurium leaves have brown spots?
Leaf Blight/Leaf Spot
This is one of the most common causes of brown leaves and is caused by a bacterial infection.
You may also notice faded flowers, yellow lesions and discolored leaves.
Bacteria can enter your plant during pruning or when the leaves are punctured. Once infected, the bacteria spreads throughout the rest of the plant.
It is important to disinfect garden shears between each use because this bacteria is highly contagious.
Unfortunately, if the disease is systemic, the plant cannot be saved. It should be discarded to avoid spreading the disease.
However, if only the leaves are infected, the plant may still be saved. Remove any infected leaves. Do not cut them off with shears.
Excess Sunlight
Placing your Flamingo Lily in direct sunlight may cause brown, spotted leaves. Anthurium need indirect sunlight.
Keep your plant a few feet away from a West-facing window.
Nutrient Deficiency
If you notice brown spots in addition to the following, your plant could have a nutrient deficiency:
- Stunted new growth
- New leaves are misshapen and pale
- Short, drooping leaves
- Decreased flower growth
If your plant is younger, chances are this is not the problem, because nutrient deficiencies take a while to show.
Feed your plant a high phosphorus fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
How do I revive a dying Flamingo Lily?
It can be difficult to save an Anthurium with root rot. The following steps will help your houseplant heal:
- Reduce the frequency of your watering
- Do not re-pot when the soil is wet because that will damage the roots
- Provide plenty of bright, indirect light.
- Remove any leaves that are entirely brown. Snip the stem right at it’s base
- Monitor the plant for signs of pests
After that, it is just a waiting game. Hopefully, your Flamingo Lily will have new growth after a few weeks.
That is everything you need to know about Flamingo Lily care indoors! With their brightly colored, waxy flowers and dark green leaves, Flamingo Lily plants will add a tropical feel to any house. Provide your Flamingo Lily with indirect sunlight, a humid atmosphere, and warm temperatures for it to thrive.
See other plant specific care guides here.
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