Image: AI generated
Tailflower Plant Care
Anthurium andreanum
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
The Anthurium is a flowering plant that goes by many names, including tailflower, flamingo flower, laceleaf, and painter’s palette. There are more than 1000 different species in the Anthurium genus. This genus belongs to the Araceae or Aroid family.
Every 5–7 days
Bright indirect
77–92°F
70–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Tailflower?
Water Tailflower every 5–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 77–92°F (25–33°C) and 70–80% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Tailflower?
Tailflower (Anthurium andreanum) belongs to the Araceae family within the Anthurium genus. Tailflower is native to Colombia, Ecuador. Tailflower is also known as Flamingo flower, Laceleaf, Painter’s palette.
Tailflower displays a herbaceous clump-forming evergreen growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Tailflower produces spathe and spadix. colorful bract in colors such as red, pink, yellow, rose or white.
Leaf size: approximately 7.8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tailflower?
Anthurium andreanum requires watering every 5–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 5–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Tailflower Need?
Tailflower thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Tailflower in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tailflower Prefer?
Anthurium andreanum grows best at temperatures of 77–92°F. Tailflower prefers humidity levels of 70–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
77–92°F
Humidity
70–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tailflower?
Airy, well-draining soil consisting of orchid bark, perlite, coco coir or peat moss, and charcoal. Good drainage is essential for Tailflower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tailflower?
Feed Tailflower every 2 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Tailflower?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Tailflower?
Tailflower can be propagated through division, seed germination, or cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to anthurium clarinervium plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Tailflower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to animals such as cats and dogs as well as humans. Contains calcium oxalate crystals
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Tailflower?
Tailflower is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Tailflower Need?
Tailflower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. Tailflower is native to Colombia, Ecuador. In cooler regions, grow Tailflower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 11a – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Tailflower is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Anthurium genus — compare its care with other Anthurium species on PlantoScan.
Anthurium is part of the Araceae plant family — browse all Araceae genera and species.
Tailflower thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Anthurium Species
Other Anthurium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Anthurium andreanum, family Araceae (first published in Anthurium andreanum) — World Flora Online.
- Pet toxicity: Tailflower is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 11a – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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