Anthuriums can attract attention either with their large, patterned leaves or their colorful bracts. We briefly introduce the most beautiful flamingo flowers.
The genus Anthurium consists of many different species, some of which also thrive as house plants. It is up to you whether you would rather put a flamingo flower with colorful bracts in the room or prefer the species with the decorative leaves. In order to give you a brief overview, we will briefly present the most beautiful species here.
Anthurium varieties: colors and number of varieties
The flamingo flower (Anthurium) comes in many colors and shapes. With around 1000 different species, it is a fairly rich genus in the aroid family (Araceae). There are also different varieties with bracts in a wide variety of colors from white to pink, purple and red to black. What they all have in common is the decorative foliage, which is green all year round. Some Anthurium species are also popular indoor plants, which we will give a brief overview of here.
Overview of the most beautiful Anthurium species and varieties
1. Anthurium crystallinum
This flamingo flower stands out for its dark green foliage, which has conspicuous white veins. The heart-shaped leaves can start off purple in color before turning green as they grow. The flowers of Anthurium crystallinum are quite inconspicuous, but this species is particularly decorative due to its large leaves. In its South American homeland, it usually grows as an epiphyte on trees or other plants, which is why it is best planted in loose orchid soil. Their special aerial roots are not adapted to life in classic potting soil.
Anthurium warocqueanum looks similar to Anthurium crystallinum. Alsohere the green leaves with the white veins represent the special feature of the plant, but the flower is inconspicuous. With the right care, the lanceolate leaves can reach huge dimensions of up to two meters, which is why Anthurium warocqueanum is also known as the "Queen of Anthuriums". In keeping with her homeland, the anthurium queen likes it humid and bright.
3. Anthurium andreanum
One of the most common Anthuriums in our homes is the Anthurium (Anthurium andreanum). It has heart-shaped leaves up to 40 cm in size. The spadix is surrounded by a colored bract, which can take on different colors depending on the variety. Hybrids of the small and large flamingo flowers are also common:
- Anthurium andreanum 'Baron': variety with green-pink bracts
- Anthurium andreanum 'Rosee Choco': variety with dark red bracts
- Anthurium andreanum 'Midori': variety with green bracts
- Anthurium andreanum 'Cheers': variety with pink bracts
- Anthurium andreanum 'Acropolis': variety with white bracts
The Lesser Flamingo Flower is also a common indoor plant. In contrast to the large flamingo flower, its leaves are rather elongated and slightly smaller at 30 cm. On the other hand, Anthurium scherzerianum usually has more flowers than its larger relative. The flamingo flower needs a loose substrate and a good water supply. It's even possible to keep them in the water without any soil at all.
Tip: If the flamingo flowers are not sufficiently supplied with nutrients, it can happen that fewer or no flowers are formed. In order to ensure a sufficient supply of nutrients, the anthurium should be fertilized slightly but regularly. For example, our primarily organic, potassium-rich Plantura organic green plant fertilizer is suitable for this, because the anthurium has an increased need for potassium during the flowering period.
5. Anthurium veitchii
This species is also known as the "King of Anthuriums". As with Anthurium warocqueanum, the king's leaves can also become huge. They are also lanceolate in shape, but have no white veins, but rather a notched pattern. This Anthurium also likes a warm, humid climate andgrows epiphytic in nature, which is why its roots prefer plenty of air and a special substrate, such as orchid soil.
Anthurium clarinervium is confusingly similar to Anthurium crystallinum. Both species have dark green, heart-shaped leaves that are beautifully patterned with white veins. That is why Anthurium clarinervium is also known as sweetheart flower. The two species can be distinguished according to fertilization, since the berries on the spadix have different colors. Like most Anthuriums, this species should be in a bright spot, but not in full sun, otherwise the leaves may burn.
7. Anthurium magnificum
Do you likeAnthurium clarienrvium and Anthurium crystallinum but are they too small for your taste? Then Anthurium magnificum is just the thing. The green leaves of this species are similar in appearance to those of its two relatives, but can also reach larger dimensions, which is why the plant sometimes needs a support to grow up on.
8. Anthurium forgetii
This flamingo flower does not stand out because of a colored bract, but rather because of the green leaves. In this species, however, they are small and not heart-shaped, but round and tapering at the bottom. The leaves can have white veins or be inconspicuously green. Due to their epiphytic lifestyle in the tropics, care should be taken with Anthurium forgetii to ensure high humidity and use orchid soil.
9. Anthurium vittarifolium
Anthurium vittarifolium is also known as tail flower. If you look at the flamingo flower, you will immediately see why: the long, green leaves hang down from the plant like a tail. It can therefore also be ideally hung up in its pot. Incidentally, Anthurium vittarifolium is an epiphyte in its tropical homeland, which means it grows on other plants and trees, from which its leaves can hang down.
10. Anthurium metallicum
This Anthurium has particularly dark green, lanceolate leaves with light green onesveins. These are carried on long stalks and then hang down, which is why they are somewhat reminiscent of a knight's shield. The height can be 40 to 50 cm. Anthurium metallicum grows hemiepiphytically in South America, which means it begins its life on top of other plants. Eventually, as the roots grow, they come into contact with the soil. Keeping it in orchid soil can therefore have a positive effect on growth, but is not absolutely necessary.
11. Anthurium polyschistum
Anthurium polyschistum has a completely different leaf shape. Its leaves are palmately divided and have no white veins. Because of the similarity to hemp leaves, the plant is also called "fake marijuana" or "fake hemp". The whole plant grows in an upright climbing manner and the leaves do not droop like some other Anthuriums. Its bloom is inconspicuous. It needs high humidity and indirect light as well as a moist, slightly acidic and not too nutrient-rich substrate to thrive. You can use a mixture of high-quality potting soil such as our Plantura organic seed and herb soil and sphagnum moss for the soil.
12. Anthurium luxurians
Another rather unusual species is Anthurium luxurians. Its leaves are almost leathery with a heavily serrated pattern somewhat reminiscent of the surface of a diamond. The lanceolate to heart-shaped leaves are usually dark in color, varying in color from dark red or purple to almost black. Young leaves are often reddish and then change their color to an ever darker green as they grow. The stems of Anthruium luxurians are rather short. Anthurium luxurians prefers light shade in any well drained substrate. A mixture of permeable potting soil such as our Plantura organic seed and herb soil with orchid soil made from pine bark and sphagnum moss is suitable.
Like anthuriums, aloes are popular indoor plants that are green all year round and come in a variety of shapes and colors. The sap of the real aloe also has a soothing effect on sunburn. You can read more about this in our article on aloe vera.