The vibrant, heart-shaped structure of the Anthurium, often called the flamingo flower or laceleaf, is one of the longest-lasting houseplant displays. This longevity is due to a botanical distinction: the colorful, waxy part is a modified leaf called a spathe, not a true flower petal. The spathe surrounds the central flower spike (spadix). True flowers are small and clustered along the spadix, but the spathe is bred for its showy color and durability.
Typical Lifespan of an Anthurium Bloom
The durability of the waxy spathe allows a single “bloom” on a potted Anthurium to last for a long time. Under optimal indoor conditions, a single spathe maintains its color and form for an average of eight to twelve weeks. Healthy spathes often persist for two to three months, sometimes lasting up to six months before fading.
This extended duration is why the Anthurium is valued as an ornamental houseplant that provides color year-round. Cut Anthurium flowers, used in floral arrangements, typically last three to four weeks in a vase, impressive compared to traditional flowers. This longevity results from the spathe being a hardier, leaf-like organ rather than a delicate petal structure.
Key Environmental Factors for Maximum Duration
Maintaining the maximum duration of a spathe requires mimicking the plant’s native tropical rainforest environment. This begins with providing bright, indirect light, as the plant naturally grows beneath a canopy. Placing the plant near an east-facing window or a few feet from a south- or west-facing window is ideal, but direct sunlight must be avoided to prevent scorching leaves and spathes.
High ambient humidity is another factor in preserving the spathe’s appearance and lifespan. Humidity levels of 60% or higher are preferred; lack of moisture often causes spathe edges to turn brown and crisp, prematurely shortening the display. Using a room humidifier or placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water helps increase moisture directly around the plant.
The Anthurium requires consistent, warm temperatures, thriving best between 65°F and 80°F. Exposure to cold drafts or temperatures below 60°F can stress the plant and cause existing spathes to fail prematurely. Watering must be moderate and consistent, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering is detrimental, leading to root issues that quickly cause the spathes to yellow and die back.
Post-Bloom Maintenance and Reblooming
Once a spathe has faded, lost its sheen, or turned green, it should be promptly removed to redirect energy toward new growth. The correct procedure is to prune the entire stem (peduncle) of the spent spathe back to the base using clean, sterilized shears. Since the Anthurium will not rebloom from the same stalk, removing it encourages the development of new flowering stems.
To stimulate the next cycle of blooms, the plant benefits from a fertilization regime high in phosphorus. During the active growing months of spring and summer, a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer applied every few weeks encourages flower production. High-phosphorus fertilizer supports the energy demands of creating new spathes rather than producing more foliage.
Sometimes, encouraging a new bloom cycle requires a brief rest period, mimicking a natural seasonal shift. This involves slightly reducing the ambient temperature to a minimum of about 61°F to 63°F for six to eight weeks, combined with slightly less watering. After this cooler rest, returning the plant to its preferred warmer, brighter conditions and resuming the fertilization schedule signals the plant to begin forming new spathes.