About Anthuriums
Anthuriums last longer than anything else a florist sells. Three to five weeks in a vase is normal, and six is not unusual, which is roughly four times what a rose manages. They look artificial, and that puts some people off, but the lacquered shine is real.
The heart-shaped coloured part is not a petal. It is a spathe, a modified leaf, and the actual flowers are the hundreds of tiny structures packed onto the pale spike, the spadix, standing out of the middle. Same arrangement as a calla lily or a peace lily.
Primary Meanings
- Hospitality: The traditional meaning, from the open heart shape
- Abundance: Associated with prosperity across the tropics
- Exotic Beauty: The Victorian-era association when they first reached Europe
- Confidence: From its bold, unmissable form
Anthuriums Colors and Their Meanings
Red Anthurium
The classic; hospitality and welcome
White Anthurium
Purity and calm; popular in modern interiors
Pink Anthurium
Affection and warmth
Green Anthurium
Renewal; unusual and much used by designers
Chocolate Anthurium
Deep brown-purple varieties, dramatic and rare
Popular Anthuriums Types
Andraeanum
The flat glossy heart shape sold as a cut flower
Scherzerianum
Flamingo flower, with a curled orange spadix
Obake
Very large two-toned spathes, Hawaiian bred
Tulip Anthurium
Cupped rather than flat, a newer commercial form
Care Instructions
Deep Water
They drink steadily. Keep the vase topped up.
Warm Room
Unlike most flowers, they hate the cold. Never refrigerate.
Mist the Spathe
Tropical origin; misting keeps the shine and slows drying.
Recut Weekly
Over a month in a vase, a fresh cut keeps them drinking.
Best Occasions for Anthuriums
- Modern Arrangements: The default when a sculptural look is wanted
- Hospitality Gifts: The traditional welcome meaning
- Sympathy: White forms, where longevity matters
- Offices and Hotels: Chosen for lasting weeks without attention
Interesting Anthuriums Facts
- The coloured heart is a spathe, a modified leaf, not a petal
- The true flowers are the tiny structures covering the pale central spike
- Cut stems routinely last three to five weeks, the longest of any common flower
- They must never be refrigerated; cold damages them permanently
- Most commercial production is in the Netherlands, Hawaii and Mauritius
How to Buy Good Anthuriums
Look at the spadix, the pale spike in the middle, because that tells you the age. It should be firm and evenly colored; if it has gone brown or shrivelled at the tip the stem is old regardless of how good the spathe looks. The spathe itself should be glossy with no dull patches, no green bleeding into the color at the edges unless that is the variety, and no small brown pits, which are cold damage. Cold damage is the thing to watch for, because it is common and does not show for days.
Season, Availability and What Drives the Price
Anthuriums are grown under glass in the Netherlands, Hawaii and Mauritius and are available every week of the year at a fairly stable price. There is no season to work around. They look expensive per stem and they are, but the arithmetic is unusual: at three to five weeks in a vase the cost per day is lower than almost anything else in the shop, and two anthuriums will still be going long after a whole bunch of roses has been thrown out.
What to Use Instead
Calla lilies have the same sculptural single-form look and a similar structure, though a much shorter life. Orchids, particularly phalaenopsis and cymbidium, last comparably long and give a softer effect. Bird of paradise gives the same tropical drama at a larger scale. For sheer longevity there is no real substitute: this is the flower you buy when it has to keep looking good without anyone tending it.
Safety Around Pets and Skin
Anthuriums are toxic to cats and dogs. Like other members of the arum family they contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which cause immediate intense burning of the mouth, drooling, pawing at the face, vomiting and in rare cases swelling that affects breathing. The pain is immediate, which usually stops an animal eating much, but this is a genuine hazard rather than a mild upset. The sap also irritates skin, so wash your hands after cutting stems.
Florist Tips for Anthuriums
Never put them in the fridge
This is the opposite of the rule for every other cut flower. Anthuriums are tropical and cold causes permanent brown pitting on the spathe, which shows up days later. Do not store them cold and do not buy from a chilled display.
Mist them
They absorb moisture through the spathe. A daily mist keeps the shine and adds noticeably to an already long life.
Recut once a week
Over a month in a vase the stem end seals over. A fresh cut every week or so is what gets you from three weeks to six.
Common Questions About Anthuriums
How long do anthuriums actually last?
Three to five weeks is normal and six is achievable with weekly recutting and clean water. They are the longest lasting cut flower in general trade, which is why hotels and offices use them.
Is the red part a flower?
No. It is a spathe, a modified leaf. The real flowers are the hundreds of tiny structures on the pale spike sticking out of the middle, called the spadix. Calla lilies and peace lilies are built the same way.
Are anthuriums poisonous to cats?
Yes. They contain calcium oxalate crystals that cause immediate burning of the mouth, drooling and vomiting. The pain usually stops a pet eating much, but keep them well out of reach and wash your hands after handling cut stems.