The anthurium has long been known as a plant grown for cut flowers. Increasingly, many sophisticated varieties can be found in pots in good garden shops. Lovers of the species delight in the variety of anthurium shapes and colours. Countless varieties are now available. Each is a wonderful, hardy and relatively easy to maintain addition to the home.

The anthurium flower - a symbol of exotic beauty

The anthurium belongs to the pictorial family. The plant is native to the tropical rainforests of South America, Cuba and the Caribbean. This beautiful flower has been given many names. It is sometimes called kitnia, flamingo flower, tail flower or mother-in-law's tongue. The anthurium, like the orchid that inhabits many windowsills in Polish homes, is an epiphyte. In the wild, it grows high among the branches in tropical forests, perched on the branches of trees. What we most often recognise in anthuriums as a flower is in fact a discoloured leaf - the flower scabbard, the so-called spatha. In nature, it attracts pollinating insects. The true flowers of the anthurium grow from a flask.

The anthurium is extremely popular in floristry. The use of these flowers in bouquets is due to their unusual beauty, but not only. The anthurium is characterised by its long life. Even after cutting, the flowers, or rather the leaves, can continue to attract the eye with their beautiful colour and habit for several weeks. In the pot, the flowers last up to 2 months! The anthurium is a plant that blooms very readily. After flowering, the withered inflorescence stem can be cut off and you can wait for it to flower again.

Anthurium varieties, a colourful head-turner

The anthurium genus is a huge and quite diverse group of plants. It includes more than 1000 varieties and cultivars! They differ both in leaf colour, leaf structure and size and habit. In home cultivation, three species of anthurium are the most common:

• Scherzer's anthurium (Anthurium scherzerianium) - red with an orange-red or red spiral twisted or curved flask;
• Andrego anthurium (Anthurium andreanum) - with leathery, green leaves with a heart shape. It has a bright red inflorescence vagina and a yellow flask;
• Alluring anthurium (Anthurium crystallinum) - having decorative, heart-shaped leaves with silvery veins and a greenish flask.

It is impossible to list all the anthurium varieties. Among them are the best-known classic Anthurium Red, the Anthurium Black Love with its deep black flower vase and the Anthurium Karma Purple with its enchanting purple flowers. All of them deserve attention and are an exceptional ornamental. Anthurium collector varieties are mainly cultivated for their uniquely shaped leaves and light green veining. With such a large selection, you can easily beautify your home from among them. The anthurium will also be perfect as a plant for the office or as a plant for schools.

Growing an anthurium in a pot

The anthurium is an ideal choice for beginner plant lovers. Nevertheless, it is important to remember that it is an exotic plant. In order for the anthurium in a pot to grow optimally and produce uncommon flowers, several cultivation and care conditions must be met. The determinant should be the natural environment in which the anthurium grows, i.e. tropical forests. What can be done to ensure that beautiful, colourful leaves appear on your anthurium? Follow a few tips below.

✔️ position

The anthurium does not like darkness, but also must not be exposed to direct sunlight. A slightly shaded position or one with diffused light will be ideal for the anthurium. It will find its way very well in a brightly lit bathroom, for example.

✔️ air temperature and humidity

Anturiums love warmth. It does not like fluctuations in temperature or draughts. In order for the plant to develop beautifully, it must be provided with high air humidity. For classic anthurium varieties, an air humidity of 40-50% will be optimal. Collector specimens may have a higher requirement in this respect.

✔️ substrate

The anthurium needs a well loosened mix. A substrate enriched with bark, acid peat and coconut fibre or coconut chips will work best. It is also worth remembering to choose a pot appropriate to the size of the plant. A pot that is too small can lead to root shrinkage and consequently weaken the condition of the anthurium.

✔️ watering and fertilising

When growing anthuriums, it is important to remember not to overwater the plant. If this happens, the leaves are most likely to droop, lose their firmness and characteristic shine. Soil that is too wet, on the other hand, can cause root rot. So keep the soil moderately moist. For beautiful and abundant flowering and healthy growth, it is advisable to feed the anthurium with a fertiliser for flowering plants.

Interesting facts about the anthurium

The anthurium is one of the plants recognised as a natural air purifier. In the wild, the plant was used by the indigenous Indians for a variety of purposes, including as cordage, a remedy for warts and snuff. At the same time, the anthurium was recognised by them as an aphrodisiac. It is worth knowing that the anthurium is toxic to pets. On the other hand, it looks very good on higher shelves that your pet cannot reach. Many species of anthurium give off a characteristic, intense fragrance, mainly in the afternoon.