Anthuriums are gorgeous plants, instantly recognizable by their heart-shaped foliage, and unique flowers that are available in many colors.
You may know them for both of these traits, but did you know that you can get other types, with leaves that can grow more than 2 feet wide or long?
It can be difficult to buy an anthurium and try to resist growing as many different types as you can get your hands on, as they are very beautiful plants that will make a statement in any room.
Interested in learning more about anthuriums? Read on to discover 33 different types you should know about, and what you should consider when you want to grow your own.
Let’s take a look.
Things To Consider When Growing Anthuriums
It can be tempting to search for the most fabulous, attention-grabbing anthurium and add it to your virtual or physical basket, but if you don’t choose the right type for your home (or greenhouse), you could end up with something that only lives for a short while.
Here are some things you should consider when you want to grow anthuriums.
A Note On Toxicity
Anthuriums are toxic if ingested.
This goes for humans and pets, so you may want to reconsider and grow something more animal/human-friendly if you’re worried or think there is the slightest risk.
You might go for calatheas instead, and these plants are no less beautiful than anthuriums.
How Much Space Do You Have?
When you want an anthurium, it’s worth considering exactly how much space you might have for one.
This is because some species grow very tall, and others stay a compact and more manageable size, so it’s worth being choosy.
Terrestrial Or Epiphytic Anthuriums?
Most anthuriums sold as houseplants are terrestrial, which means they live in soil.
But you can get epiphytic anthuriums, which live on other plants, and need different growing media if you’re not attaching them to moss poles or other plants.
You can get climbing anthuriums, or ones that stay upright, so choose the most appropriate type for the space you have.
Can You Grow Flamingo Flowers Outside?
Most flamingo flowers are grown inside as houseplants, thriving in temperatures between 61°F and 72°F, in bright and indirect light.
However, if you live in a mild climate and happen to have some shady parts of your garden that need some tropical beauties, you can grow them outdoors.
Anthurium amnicola ‘Lumina’
Anthurium amnicola is an interesting and less-seen species of anthurium, also known as the tulip anthurium for its tulip-shaped blooms.
This species is smaller than most, which makes it a great option if you are low on space, and they’re not difficult to care for, either.
‘Lumina’ features white flowers with purple spadices, which is an unusual combination.
Anthurium amnicola ‘White Lady’
You would be forgiven for mistaking this beautiful plant for a peace lily, with its lovely pure-white spathes, and long, pointed leaves in deep green.
The spathes also last longer than some species of anthurium, so they make an attractive option in any room.
Anthurium andraeanum ‘Black Beauty’
Anthurium andraeanum is the species you’re most likely to see when you come across anthuriums for sale in nurseries, supermarkets, and online.
It’s also the one people tend to be talking about when they mention the flamingo flower or the flamingo lily.
This species has heart-shaped leaves which can grow up to 40cm wide, and the flowers come in different colors.
In the case of ‘Black Beauty’, the flowers are deep maroon to black, contrasting well against the bright green leaves.
Anthurium andraeanum ‘Pink Champion’
Featuring deep green leaves and beautiful, bright pink flowers and matching spathes, this is a gorgeous variety that is also easy to care for.
It’s capable of flowering several times per year if you give it the right conditions, but it will not tolerate frost, so indoors is best.
Anthurium andraeanum ‘Livium’
A plant that truly lives up to the name flamingo flower, ‘Livium’ features bright pink to red flowers with prominent white veins, and emerald green leaves which are a little more pointed than the average flamingo lily.
Anthurium andraeanum ‘Oaxaca’
Capable of reaching 6 foot tall in the right conditions, ‘Oaxaca’ is a beautiful and tough plant which can adapt to different conditions.
It also helps that this plant will bloom consistently during its long life, producing bright red flowers.
Anthurium andraeanum ‘Champion Zizou’
A beautiful plant in any room, ‘Champion Zizou’ features light pink to purple flowers, with dark purple spathes, which offset the dark green leaves nicely.
Anthurium balaoanum
If you’d prefer something a little different, perhaps a climbing species of anthurium, look no further than Anthurium balaoanum, which features leathery, almost heart-shaped leaves which are extremely thin, adding a delicate look to this beautiful plant.
This is a large plant, easily reaching higher than 6 feet indoors, and as it’s an epiphyte, avoid using general houseplant compost, and give it high humidity.
Anthurium bonplandii
Another epiphyte, Anthurium bonplandii is a slow-growing plant, but it does work better in indoor spaces than others as it doesn’t mind average levels of humidity.
It also helps that the leaves emerge in a deep purple, maturing to a bright green.
Anthurium bullatus
A relatively new variety is Anthurium bullatus, grown exclusively for its gorgeous leaves. If you have too many houseplants with arrow-shaped leaves, this one is sure to fascinate.
The leaves emerge in an elongated oval shape, and eventually mature into a strange hourglass-like shape, in a vivid green.
If the conditions are right, these beautiful leaves can reach 2 feet long or more.
Anthurium clarinervium
One of the most popular anthurium types without the typical arrow-shaped leaves and flamingo-like flowers is Anthurium clarinervium.
It has distinct, heart-shaped leaves that are a deep luxurious green, with white veins that almost seem to glow.
This is a much more compact type of anthurium, rarely reaching more than 2 feet tall when mature, the leaves reaching a maximum of 10 inches long.
Anthurium clavigerum
If small and heart-shaped isn’t what you look for in a houseplant, Anthurium clavigerum might be for you. It features very unusual leaves which split and feature large lobes.
These leaves can easily reach 6 feet across, and the plant itself reaches a similar height.
Anthurium coriaceum
Maybe giant houseplants aren’t for you. If you want an understated but unusual form of anthurium, Anthurium coriaceum might be a good option.
Unusual for an anthurium, this beauty has paddle-shaped and velvety leaves, with bold veins in the center.
The leaves emerge from petioles, and they can reach 4 feet long.
Anthurium crystallinum
Closely related to Anthurium clarinervium, you can see the likeness in the leaves, which are deep green with bright veins.
This particular anthurium has brighter veins, but they are pale when the leaves are young, and are also more oval than heart-shaped.
Anthurium faustomirandae ‘Faustino’s Giant’
Anthurium faustomirandae, also known as ‘Faustino’s Giant’, looks more like an alocasia than an anthurium, with its huge, heart-shaped leaves that can easily reach 4 feet tall, spreading to a similar width.
The leaves emerge reddish when young, and mature into bright green leaves that look perfect indoors.
If you live somewhere warm, you could even grow this species outdoors, where it will withstand deer.
Anthurium forgetii
For beautiful leaves and striking spathes, Anthurium forgetii is a great option. It features velvety green leaves with prominent white veins, and produces green spathes with hints of purple.
It’s a perfect plant for growing under glass or in cabinet greenhouses, as it prefers high humidity.
Anthurium friedrichsthalii
You might not be familiar with pendant anthuriums, but they are some of the most interesting houseplants.
Anthurium friedrichsthalii features strap-like foliage and sells its understated beauty without a problem.
As you might imagine, the leaves trail from the petioles, and usually don’t get longer than a foot, which means that this plant is suitable for a smaller space.
It is worth noting that this is an epiphyte, so it won’t do well in houseplant compost, but it will do okay with lower levels of humidity than other types of anthurium, so you won’t need a greenhouse to keep it happy.
Anthurium gracile ‘Red Pearls Anthurium’
One of the few anthuriums to produce fruit which is part of its ornamental charm, the red pearls anthurium is named for the crimson fruit formed along the spadix.
When not in flower or fruit, this plant is also grown for its huge aerial roots, which can be longer than 3 feet, giving a real jungle vibe to any room.
It forms paddle-like leaves, and thrives in average rooms with bright or low levels of light. Just ensure that you have it growing in the right stuff, as it is an epiphyte.
Anthurium hookeri
If you’re looking for a bird’s nest anthurium to fill a large area, Anthurium hookeri is a good choice.
In the wild, it grows on trees as an epiphyte, eventually becoming so heavy that it falls to the ground and establishes roots there instead.
The leaves are capable of reaching 2 feet long, and you can tell the original species apart from its cultivars by the berries. Anthurium hookeri produces white berries, while the hybrid varieties feature red berries.
Anthurium luxurians
One of the most sought after anthuriums is anthurium luxurians, which features striking foliage that almost looks as though someone has lacquered them, as they have a luxurious sheen to them.
If you’re short on space, you’ll be glad to know that this species doesn’t get huge, and it’s slow-growing.
New growth on the plant emerges as a rich brown, and matures into deep green. If you have a greenhouse or large terrarium where you want to grow some anthuriums, this plant is perfect.
However, if you have a room that only has average humidity and warmth, try another plant, as it won’t thrive in less.
Anthurium magnificum
If you like the look of deep green anthuriums with bright veins, and you wish they were much, much bigger, your wishes have been answered with Anthurium magnificum.
This gorgeous species is capable of producing stunning leaves that get more than two feet long, so make sure you have plenty of space for this plant.
It’s worth knowing that this species will withstand drier conditions for longer than the smaller types with prominent veins, so if the room you want to grow an anthurium in is on the drier side, or you’re likely to forget about watering occasionally, this plant is a good choice.
Anthurium pedatoradiatum
An anthurium that resembles the cheese plant more than its own relatives is Anthurium pedatoradiatum.
Young leaves are heart-shaped, so it can be tough to recognize this species when it is young, but as they get older, they develop long lobes, and some can develop more than ten ‘fingers’ per leaf, making for a fabulous display.
As this is not an epiphyte, it will survive in high-quality houseplant compost, and will survive in lower humidity as long as there is adequate moisture in the soil.
Anthurium pendulifolium
Some anthuriums are known for their long leaves, but as you might expect from the name of this particular species, Anthurium pendulifolium is one of the showiest for this.
The foliage of this particular species can reach over six feet, and that is per leaf. This plant can look a little tricky at first glance, and it’s not a great one to start with, as it is sensitive to overwatering.
Anthurium podophyllum
While plants under this genus are known for their beautiful leaves, Anthurium podophyllum really takes it to the next level.
It produces leaves that almost look like spiderwebs or snowflakes, with intricate lobes which keep dividing as the foliage gets older.
It makes a stunning plant in any collection, though it can be difficult to find, depending on where you live.
It can also withstand more light than other species of anthurium, so it’s perfect for a bright indirect spot, or dappled sunlight.
Anthurium radicans
If you’d like an anthurium that’s on the smaller side, but has a different growth habit, you could do worse than Anthurium radicans, as it has a creeping growth habit.
That doesn’t mean it doesn’t stay small, making it perfect for any corner that could do with some more greenery and life.
Unlike some of the species on this list, you won’t need to keep it in an enclosed environment to lock in the warmth and humidity, as it can deal with an average amount of either.
However, that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be careful where you position this plant, as it will need to be away from drafts.
Anthurium scherzerianum ‘Pigtail Anthurium’
Anthurium scherzerianum, or the pigtail anthurium, used to be more popular than Anthurium andraeanum, perhaps now the most well-known anthurium, but the pigtail anthurium is making a comeback.
It has similar leaves in which they are large and green, only slightly larger than the flamingo flower plant, but the most startling difference is that the spadix curves instead of standing upright.
It helps that this species is very easy to care for, and there are many cultivars to choose from, featuring flowers in shades of purple, ivory, white, orange, pink, green, or even a combination of one or more.
Anthurium veitchii ‘King Anthurium’
There are many beautiful plants on this list grown just for their stunning foliage, but perhaps one of the most admired is the king anthurium, Anthurium veitchii (see also 7 Tips To Grow The King Anthurium).
It features huge leaves which can reach anywhere from 3 to 6 feet long (see also Top Houseplants For Large Leaves), with deep veins and a glossy sheen.
This beautiful species can be tricky, however, as it needs very high humidity, so it’s best for a greenhouse.
Anthurium villenoarum
If the King anthurium is too large, and you want something a little more manageable but doesn’t compromise on its looks, this species is a good option.
The leaves have a soft, velvety texture, and come in a bright green with prominent, pale veins.
It grows at a faster rate than some of the species on this list, but it will stay neat and fairly compact, making it perfect for the average room as it doesn’t need very high humidity, either.
Anthurium warocqueanum ‘Queen Anthurium’
If you liked the idea of the King Anthurium, but you wanted a variety that has white veins instead of deep green ones, the Queen Anthurium might be exactly what you are looking for.
It produces fantastic long leaves with a velvety feel, and these drape down from the stems, giving an elegant look.
However, just like the King Anthurium, the Queen Anthurium demands no less than high humidity and relative warmth to keep her happy.
As this species is an epiphyte, it’s best grown in a greenhouse or under glass in shade, in either loose soil or mounted onto a moss pole or larger plant.
Anthurium wendlingeri
Some anthuriums are grown not just for their beautiful leaves, but also for their unusual spadices.
This particular species produces a spadix that looks like a corkscrew, but in a much bigger form, and this plays well against the pendant leaves.
Anthurium ‘Ace Of Spades’
Many sought-after plants resemble different species than their own, and this is also true of ‘Ace Of Spades’, which looks more like a colocasia than an anthurium, with its heart-shaped, nearly black leaves that can reach nearly 2 feet across.
This is a beautiful plant and despite its unusual looks, it’s not complicated to care for it. It needs dappled shade to keep the dark pigment in its leaves, and requires moderate humidity to thrive.
Anthurium ‘Cavalli’
This flamingo flower features deep green leaves with a bright sheen, and pink to red flowers. It’s easy to get hold of, and only requires average care, so you won’t need to worry about putting it in a greenhouse.
Don’t allow this plant to dry out, and keep it somewhere bright and indirect, and it should bloom several times a year.
Anthurium andreanum ‘Rainbow Champion’
Can’t decide between bright green and maroon leaves when it comes to anthuriums? ‘Rainbow Champion’ features both on the same plant, making for a stunning display even when the coral flowers are not in bloom.
This particular anthurium features heart-shaped leaves with elongated points, and will make a stunning display in any room, provided that you give it indirect light, and keep it away from any drafts.
Final Thoughts
The anthurium genus is so diverse that it can be hard to believe that these plants are all related, and the sheer choice can be overwhelming.
A good way to start is to figure out what kind of conditions you have in your home, and then match that to a suitable species, rather than struggling to care for a plant that won’t thrive in the specific growing conditions you have.
Keep in mind that some anthuriums need very high levels of humidity, so don’t attempt to grow them until you have somewhere you can keep them enclosed.
This will still mean plenty of choice, which means you won’t just be settling for certain species and feel short-changed.
Always start off with a species that is easy to care for, and once you know what these plants want, you can move onto the more difficult ones without feeling like you’re out of your depth.
