Anthurium: vase life, season, meaning and care for florists
Anthurium andraeanum
Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum, family Araceae) usually lasts 14–21 days in a vase. In season: Year-round. Fragrance: none. Typical role in a design: focal flower.
Cut flower commercial monograph
- Official name
- Anthurium
- Botanical name
- Anthurium andraeanum
- Family
- Araceae
- Aliases
- None
- Native origin
- Tropical Americas, Africa and Mediterranean wetlands
- Growth habit
- Herbaceous perennial or biennial with sturdy, upright flowering stems.
- Stem length
- 50–70 cm
- Natural colours
- Red, Pink, White, Green
- Natural bloom
- Natural flowering in spring and summer
- Commercial supply
- Available year-round via commercial greenhouse production
- Harvest stage
- Harvest when buds show true colour and outer petals loosen (Stage 2–3).
- Vase life
- 14–21 days
- Cold storage
- Sensitive to cold: keep above 12°C to prevent chilling injury and blackening.
- Special care
- Tropical: never store below about 13 °C or the spathe turns blue-black. Mist the spathe; one of the longest-lasting cut flowers.
- Application
- Serves primarily as Focal flower in modern floristry, ideal for table arrangements and event designs.
- Market notes
- Tropical: never store below about 13 °C or the spathe turns blue-black. Mist the spathe; one of the longest-lasting cut flowers.
For florists
Try Anthurium in a client design
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Try it as a design — freeCare and conditioning
- Tropical: never store below about 13 °C or the spathe turns blue-black. Mist the spathe; one of the longest-lasting cut flowers.
- Anthurium is mildly toxic to cats and dogs: remind clients with pets to keep it out of reach.
Where it fits
| Use | Why | |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital visits and condolences | ✓ | Not strongly scented and no heavy pollen. Check that the ward accepts fresh flowers. |
| Weddings | ✓ | No pollen staining, and it lasts long enough to make up a day ahead. |
| Dining tables and restaurants | ✓ | Little or no scent, so it will not compete with the meal. |
| Homes with cats or dogs | ! | Mildly toxic if eaten — advise keeping it out of reach. |
| Making ahead and next-day delivery | ✓ | Long-lasting (about 14–21 days) — good for orders prepared ahead and weekly contract flowers. |
Pairs well with
These are available at the same time as anthurium and have a similar vase life (foliage lasts at least as long), so the arrangement ages evenly:
| Flower | Role | Vase life |
|---|---|---|
| Star of Bethlehem (Ornithogalum) | Line flower | 14–21 days |
| Palm leaves | Foliage | 14–21 days |
| Salal | Foliage | 14–21 days |
Substitutes
When anthurium is unavailable, out of season or priced up before a holiday, these fill the same role at the same time of year:
| Flower | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnation | 10–14 days | Year-round | Light | mildly toxic |
| Orchids (cut) | 10–21 days | Year-round | Light | ✓ ASPCA non-toxic |
| Heliconia | 10–14 days | Year-round | None | — |
| Lisianthus | 7–14 days | Year-round | None | — |
FAQ
How long does anthurium last in a vase?
Usually 14–21 days, depending on variety, origin and conditioning.
When is anthurium in season?
It is available year-round.
How do you keep anthurium fresh?
Tropical: never store below about 13 °C or the spathe turns blue-black. Mist the spathe; one of the longest-lasting cut flowers.
What does anthurium symbolise?
Hospitality. Flower meanings are popular conventions and vary between cultures.
What colours does anthurium come in?
Naturally in red, pink, white, green (not counting dyed stems).
Is anthurium toxic to cats or dogs?
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs if eaten.
What can I use instead of anthurium?
Flowers with the same role, an overlapping season and a similar vase life: Carnation, Orchids (cut), Heliconia, Lisianthus.
Related guides
In season at the same time
RoseLilyCarnationGerbera daisyLisianthusBaby's breathBird of paradiseOrchids (cut)