![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbBNBLjQtqA0GhW55y8-RDzNvah1oXPHpxz1KpR-qBvkRv5blO2agB57UUgilxtRzs2MtJiJeUBNNRH3QVjoMhEe_6v7DiHIvlLFdvxiNQ__iNiJPXEZGJz-tn2JQyVpBPB0csA/s400/Anthurium++2-19-2011_04.jpg)
Anthurium andraeanum (Tailflower, Flamingo-Flower)
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Here’s a house plant that came into my life as a gift in 2008. It arrived with large dark green leaves, bright red waxy flowers and not much hope for the future.
Having only seen anthurium in florists shops, I had no idea how to take care of it. I did a quick internet search. “The red, heart-shaped flower of Anthurium is really a spathe, or waxy, modified leaf flaring out from the base of a fleshy spike (spadix) where the tiny real flowers grow.” Huh?
I noted some general care information.
- low light (I placed it near the French doors to get morning sun.)
- moderately drought tolerant (a good thing in a heated house.)
- flowers last up to six weeks (I didn’t hold much hope of ever getting it to bloom again.)
Having only seen anthurium in florists shops, I had no idea how to take care of it. I did a quick internet search. “The red, heart-shaped flower of Anthurium is really a spathe, or waxy, modified leaf flaring out from the base of a fleshy spike (spadix) where the tiny real flowers grow.” Huh?
I noted some general care information.
- low light (I placed it near the French doors to get morning sun.)
- moderately drought tolerant (a good thing in a heated house.)
- flowers last up to six weeks (I didn’t hold much hope of ever getting it to bloom again.)
- continuous flowering (see above.)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUuP7DRhqQMPtIibDf4ofm4kFUf2NY6eiyH5ObeP3mirhsa4gYSLBqQTTuoi6wCav9Jv0lSd5ZPgXTn7caXhSyWiRtQivXjJ6CatLd6uU07Z20r-v_nCVtgFI9hB0L0TeQURc2w/s320/Anthurium+2-7-2011_04.jpg)
After that, I didn’t pay much attention to the plant. In the back of my mind a little voice was saying, “It probably won’t live.” It got watered as I passed by and fed with the other plants. It hasn’t moved in three years.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUuP7DRhqQMPtIibDf4ofm4kFUf2NY6eiyH5ObeP3mirhsa4gYSLBqQTTuoi6wCav9Jv0lSd5ZPgXTn7caXhSyWiRtQivXjJ6CatLd6uU07Z20r-v_nCVtgFI9hB0L0TeQURc2w/s320/Anthurium+2-7-2011_04.jpg)
After that, I didn’t pay much attention to the plant. In the back of my mind a little voice was saying, “It probably won’t live.” It got watered as I passed by and fed with the other plants. It hasn’t moved in three years.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQ-dsfdktjFRBFM1rLE1guDg4LKugaSxONO0Em1b3XaePqqN5SkB_cVKP8w5KckXCP5r5Ng1ZaRe8xdO6dhBeql3QDoUNsucn3q_fXoh5w5wd_lL-9DFBGpeIdYSXICXClaobXg/s320/Anthurium++2-19-2011_05.jpg)
And, It blooms regularly despite me - A very pleasant surprise.
(Quote above from “The Flower Expert".)
(Quote above from “The Flower Expert".)
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2 comments:
I'd like to get more into houseplants and would luv to have a plant with beautiful flowers like this Flamingo Flower....I almost typed Cardinal Flower.
When it comes to houseplants, I have that "cat" problem. Do you have a cat?
donna
Donna,
Unfortunatly for me, but fortunately for my houseplants, I don't have a cat.
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