Anthurium andraeanum or Laceleaf

Care of the indoor plant Anthurium andraeanum or Laceleaf

The Anthurium genus, family Araceae, comprises more than 600 species of tropical plants native to tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. Some species are: Anthurium andreanum, Anthurium scherzerianum, Anthurium crystallinum, Anthurium pedatoradiatum, Anthurium rionegrense, Anthurium schlechtendalii.

Common names: Laceleaf, Painter's palette, Tailflower, Flamingo flower. This species is native to South America.

They are thick, dark green leaves with bright leaves. The inflorescences are small, reddish in color and have the shape of a cornet. The most attractive is the bract that surrounds the flowers, which can be red, pink or white.

They are used as a cut flower and as a houseplant.

Anthurium andraeanum needs a very bright exposure but without direct sunlight and a temperature between 15º and 25 ºC (59-77 ºF). In the rest period it needs about 16 ºC (60.8 ºF). Sudden changes in temperature and drafts harm them.

The environmental humidity must be high: spray daily in summer with lime-free water and place a plate with wet stones under the pot. It's recommended not to wet the inflorescences.

They bloom in late fall or early winter.

The soil can be a mixture of peat with substrate for houseplants and perlite.

Water frequently so that the soil is always slightly damp. They do not tolerate alkaline water. It is ideal to water them with rain water. During the winter the irrigation will be very scarce.

Fertilize in summer every two weeks with mineral fertilizer for houseplants.

They can be attacked by snails and mites.

They propagate by division but the rooting process is not easy. It's a difficult plant to cultivate, so it is not recommended for beginners.