Anthurium scherzerianum
Anthurium scherzerianum · Araceae
📷 JJ Harrison (https://www.jjharrison.com.au/) · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant anthurium scherzerianum: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, dark green and leathery
- Blooming
- Almost continuous throughout the year
- Adult size
- 30 to 50 cm in height, 40 to 60 cm in spread
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Tropical plant, minimum 15°C required
- Origin
- Equatorial forests of Central and South America
- Soil type
- Light substrate, rich in organic matter, well-draining
Expert tips
The key tip
Anthurium scherzerianum needs repotting every 2 years with a very well-draining substrate (bark, perlite, peat), as its aerial roots hate waterlogging. Mist the foliage regularly and maintain ambient humidity around 60-70%: this is more critical than watering the pot itself.
The common mistake
Most gardeners make the mistake of keeping it too dry between waterings, confusing 'drainage' with 'dryness'. It dies more often from compacted substrate and insufficient ambient humidity than from actual overwatering.
The pro's trick
Place it on a bed of moist clay pellets or a tray with water (pot not touching the water): this humid micro-climate boosts flowering and inflorescences stay vibrant 2-3 times longer than in dry air.
Seasonal watch
In winter, reduce watering slightly but never let the substrate completely dry out for more than 2-3 days, and watch for spider mites that colonize plants in heated environments: the moment leaf edges turn brown, increase humidity significantly.
Care
Watering
Keep the substrate slightly moist without ever letting it become waterlogged. Water approximately once or twice a week depending on temperature and ambient humidity. Prefer soft water, ideally filtered or left to settle. In winter, space out watering and let the substrate dry slightly between applications.
Light and Exposure
Place your anthurium in bright, indirect light, away from direct sun rays which can scorch the leaves. An exposure near an east or west-facing window is ideal. The plant tolerates artificial light but will flower more abundantly with good natural lighting.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced fertilizer diluted every 15 to 20 days during the growing season (spring and summer). Reduce applications in autumn and suspend them in winter. Avoid overfertilizing as this can damage the roots.
Substrate and Repotting
Use an aerated mixture composed of specialized tropical plant potting soil, sphagnum moss and perlite or clay balls. Repot every two to three years in spring if the plant becomes cramped. Ensure optimal drainage.
Pruning and Maintenance
Regularly remove yellowed or damaged leaves and faded flowers to encourage new blooms. Clean the leaves with a damp cloth to maintain their shine. Light shaping pruning can be done in spring if needed.
Diseases and Pests
Watch for spider mites and mealybugs, which are favored by dry air. Increase ambient humidity through regular misting or a humidifier. Inspect foliage regularly and treat quickly if pests are present.
Did you know?
Anthurium scherzerianum, called flamingo flower or tailflower due to its characteristic bright red curved spathe inflorescence, has been traditionally cultivated in equatorial gardens since the 19th century. In Colombia and Ecuador, this plant has become a symbol of hospitality and is given as a gift during important celebrations.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.