Description
- Common names:
- Flamingo Lily, Painter's Palette, Flamingo Flower, Anthurium, Tailflower, Lirio Flamenco, Anturio
- Botanical name:
- Anthurium vittarifolium
- Description:
- Tropical epiphyte from the Amazon with spectacular long, strappy pendant leaves that cascade down in a dramatic skirt-like formation, maturing to over 4 feet in length.
Features
- Pet & Babies safety:
- Toxic to All Pets (keep out of reach)
- Rarity:
- Rare Collector's Plant
- Form factor:
- Trailing Vine, Architectural, Pendant Growth, Epiphytic
- Air Purifier:
- Good Air Purifier (7/10)
- Origin:
- Amazon basin, South America
- Aesthetic advantages:
- Living Room Statement Piece, Hanging Basket, Modern Interior, Botanical Interior Design, High Ceiling Display, Plant Room Focal Point, Contemporary Loft
Care Guide
Care level:
For Experienced Owners+
This rare tropical epiphyte requires specific conditions to thrive, including high humidity, proper air circulation, and careful watering practices typical of its rainforest habitat. Best suited for plant enthusiasts familiar with epiphytic care.
Light:
Bright / Indirect Light+
Thrives in bright, filtered light similar to its natural rainforest canopy environment, ideally near an east or west-facing window with sheer curtains. Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch the long pendant leaves, and insufficient light will slow growth dramatically.
Water:
Keep Soil Moist+
As an epiphyte, water when the growing medium is approaching dryness but never allow it to completely dry out or stay waterlogged. Ensure excellent drainage and allow excess water to flow through freely, as roots are susceptible to rot if kept too wet.
Humidity:
Requires Misting+
Requires high humidity levels of 60-80% to mimic its native Amazon rainforest environment. Use a humidifier, place on a pebble tray with water, group with other plants, or mist regularly to prevent leaf browning and promote healthy growth.
Temperature:
Prefers Warmth+
Thrives in warm temperatures between 18-27°C (65-80°F) year-round, reflecting its tropical origins. Protect from cold drafts, air conditioning vents, and temperatures below 15°C (60°F) which can cause stress and leaf damage.
Hardiness zones:
Zones 10-12+
Hardy outdoors only in USDA Zones 10-12 where frost never occurs. In cooler zones, this plant must be grown indoors year-round as a houseplant, though it can be moved to a shaded, humid outdoor area during warm summer months.
Fertilizing:
Feed Monthly+
Feed monthly during the growing season (spring through early fall) with a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer at quarter to half strength. Reduce feeding to every 6-8 weeks during winter when growth naturally slows.
Repotting:
Repot Every 2-3 Years+
Repot every 2-3 years or when roots fill the container, using a very well-draining epiphytic mix such as orchid bark, perlite, and peat moss. As an epiphyte, it naturally grows with exposed roots, so doesn't require deep pots and can even be mounted on boards.
Cleaning:
Wipe Leaves Regularly+
Gently wipe the long pendant leaves with a soft, damp cloth every few weeks to remove dust and maintain their natural sheen. Clean leaves allow for better photosynthesis and help prevent pest infestations while showcasing the plant's dramatic architectural form.
Propagation:
Division+
Propagate by carefully dividing established clumps during repotting, ensuring each division has healthy roots and several leaves. This method is most successful in spring when the plant is entering active growth phase.