Oilcloth Flower Anthurium scherzerianum
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- an-THUR-ee-um sher-zer-ee-AY-num
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
'Flamingo Flower' is a houseplant with showy red and yellow flowers and attractive green leaves. It is native to tropical Costa Rica.
It prefers medium to high light, moist well-drained soil, and low to medium relative humidity. Too little light will cause the plant to bloom less and grow slowly, south or west-facing windows are best. Water when the soil is dry to the touch. High-phosphorus fertilizer will encourage more blooms, as well as pruning away old spent blooms. Wipe down the leaves of indoor plants periodically to remove dust. No serious pest problems.
It cannot perform at its best when grown in heavy soils. Light and airy soil is required. In addition to the soil requirement, proper watering is also crucial. Overwatering, as well as under watering, can lead to root rot or wilt of your plant. Checking for proper can be as simple as sticking your finger into the soil. If the soil is moist, don't water. If the soil contains little moisture, it's time to water. The more light your plant receives, the more water it will require.
Being a plant that thrives on high humidity, creating a humid environment where it does not exist can benefit the plant. Humidifiers can achieve high humidity as well as placing the plant in a plastic container with a tight seal. The greenhouse effect will provide the humidity needed.
Choosing a container that is not deeper than 5" will aid in preventing root rot. Ensure that proper drainage is provided by having sufficient drainage holes and using porous containers. It can be repotted every few years, depending on its growth.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Common insects include aphids, fungus gnats and spider mites. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
Toxic for pets, particularly cats and dogs.
Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Red Hot'
- 'Red Hot'
- 'Red Hot'
- Tags:








- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Red Hot'
- 'Red Hot'
- 'Red Hot'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Anthurium
- Species:
- scherzerianum
- Family:
- Araceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Container plant
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Costa Rica
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Colorful
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Orange
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Heart-shaped, colorful spathe and coiled orange spadix. The orange bloom may have red, pink or orange spathes, the sheathing bract that encloses the flower.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Auriculate
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Grown for its showy leaves that are up to 8" long.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Shade Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses