Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' (Colonel anthurium) care

Light

Bright but filtered. Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' burns within days in unfiltered south-facing summer sun, and stops growing within months in deep shade. Bright, indirect light powers continuous flowering; an east window or filtered brighter light is ideal. Direct sun scorches spathes and leaves, while deep shade stops blooms and stretches the plant. If you only have a south window, set the plant back 1.5 m or hang a sheer curtain — both knock the intensity down into the right range.

Watering

Watering anthurium andraeanum 'colonel': when the top 2-3 cm of mix is dry, roughly every 5-7 days in growth. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. Water deeply, allow full drainage, then let the surface dry before the next watering. Standing water rots the thick roots, so empty saucers and water less in winter.

Soil and pot

Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' grows best in coarse, free-draining aroid mix. Use a blend of orchid bark, perlite and coco coir or peat with charcoal for an airy, well-drained root zone. Avoid heavy, moisture-retentive potting soil. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' sits happiest at around 60-80% humidity and 18-29°C (65-84°F). High humidity keeps foliage glossy and spathes fresh for longer. A humidifier or pebble tray counters dry, heated indoor air. If you keep the room above 18 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' sparingly. Feed every 4-6 weeks through spring and summer with a half-strength balanced fertiliser, or a high-phosphorus bloom feed to encourage spathes. Reduce feeding in the colder months and flush the pot occasionally to prevent salt accumulation. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

• Brown leaf tips — Low humidity or hard-water salts; raise humidity and use filtered or rainwater, flushing the pot periodically.
• Overwatering and root rot — Soggy media collapses the roots; repot into airy mix, remove soft roots and let the soil dry between waterings.
• Few spathes — Too little light or too much nitrogen; move to brighter indirect light and switch to a phosphorus-rich feed.
• Faded older spathes — Natural ageing; trim spent stalks at the base to redirect energy into new blooms.

Propagation

Divide mature clumps at repotting, keeping roots on each section, or root stem cuttings with a node and aerial root. Grow on in fresh aroid mix kept warm and humid until established. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' is toxic to pets. ASPCA lists Anthurium (flamingo flower) as toxic to cats and dogs. The insoluble calcium oxalate crystals cause oral pain, heavy drooling, mouth and tongue swelling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing if chewed. Keep out of pets' reach. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' deep-dive guides

Every aspect of anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' care, each with its own calibrated guide:

• Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' watering schedule
• Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' light requirements
• Best soil mix for anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'
• Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' fertilizing guide
• When to repot anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'
• How to propagate anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'
• Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' growth rate & size
• Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' cold hardiness
• Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' temperature & humidity
• Is anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' toxic to cats & dogs?
• Is anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' toxic to cats?
• Is anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' toxic to dogs?

Featured in these plant shortlists

Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' qualifies for 4 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

• Best plants for a north-facing window — Houseplants for a north-facing window: bright, even, indirect light and no scorching direct sun. Each pick verified against its documented light needs.
• Best humidity-loving houseplants — Houseplants that thrive in a bathroom, kitchen, or by a humidifier — selected by documented humidity preference.
• Houseplants toxic to cats & dogs — The common houseplants the ASPCA lists as toxic to cats and dogs — the ones to keep out of reach, each with its symptoms and a safe alternative.
• Best fast-growing houseplants — Houseplants documented as fast or vigorous growers — quick to fill a pot, cover a pole or trail down a shelf.
• Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more

Related guides

Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' is also commonly called Colonel anthurium.

• Types of anthurium — varieties identified, with care and pet-safety
• Monstera care — light, water and common problems
• Pothos care — light, water and common problems
• Fiddle leaf fig care — light, water and common problems
• All 2464 plant care guides in the Growli library