Repotting guide

When & how to repot Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' (Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel')

Also called Colonel anthurium.

More about anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'

About Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel'

Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' · also called Colonel anthurium · tropical

Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' is a vigorous flamingo flower grown for large, glossy spathes and strong, upright dark-green foliage. It flowers nearly year-round indoors in bright indirect light and steady warmth. As with all andraeanum hybrids, a chunky fast-draining aroid mix, careful watering and high humidity keep the leaves lustrous and the spathes long-lasting.

Mature size: Around 45-60 cm tall and 35-45 cm wide indoors.

Watch for — Brown leaf tips: Low humidity or hard-water salts; raise humidity and use filtered or rainwater, flushing the pot periodically.

How to tell anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For anthurium andraeanum 'colonel', watch for these signs:

Roots spiralling thickly out of the drainage holes or pushing the whole plant up out of the pot.
The pot is so packed that water runs straight through in seconds and barely wets the soil.
It has split a plastic pot, or the rootball is a solid mass with almost no soil left when you slide it out.
Growth and (for anthurium andraeanum 'colonel') flowering have clearly stalled despite good light and feeding — but remember this plant likes being snug, so a little crowding alone is not a reason to repot.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded. Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' is one of the plants that genuinely prefers a snug pot — it grows and flowers better with its roots a little restricted, so resist the urge to repot it on schedule. Evergreen, clump-forming epiphytic perennial with an upright rosette of glossy heart-shaped leaves and large spathes on sturdy stalks..

What size pot to step anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' up to

Go up only one pot size — roughly 2–3 cm (about an inch) wider in diameter, no more. Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' positively prefers a snug pot: it flowers and grows better when the roots are a little restricted. The single biggest repotting mistake here is over-potting — dropping anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' into a pot two or three sizes up. All that surplus soil holds water the small root system cannot use, stays cold and wet, and rots the roots within weeks. When in doubt, choose the smaller pot.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'

Confirm it actually needs it. Slide anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' out and check the roots. Only continue if it is genuinely packed — this plant prefers a snug pot, so if there is still soil and room, put it straight back.
Pick a pot only one size up. Choose a pot just 2–3 cm wider with good drainage. Resist anything bigger; over-potting is the main killer here.
Ease it out gently. Water lightly the day before, then tip anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' out, supporting the base. Tease the outer roots free only enough to stop them circling.
Repot at the same depth. Add a layer of fresh coarse, free-draining aroid mix, set the plant so the soil line sits exactly where it did before, and backfill around the sides, firming lightly.
Settle it in. Water once to settle the soil, then let it sit. Hold off on more water until the top of the soil dries — fresh soil around a small root system stays wet for a while.

Aftercare

Because the new soil holds more water than the old crammed rootball did, ease right back on watering — let the top of the soil dry before you water anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' again, or you will rot the roots in the very pot you just moved it to. Keep it out of harsh direct sun for a fortnight. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'

Anthurium andraeanum 'Colonel' wants 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. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'?

Only every 2–4 years, when genuinely crowded for anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'. Only repot anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' every 2–4 years, and only when it is genuinely root-bound — it flowers and grows best slightly crowded. Step up just one pot size in spring using coarse, free-draining aroid mix. The key mistake is over-potting: a too-big pot stays wet and rots the roots.

What size pot does anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' need?

When is the best time of year to repot anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'?

Does anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' like to be root-bound?

Yes — anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' genuinely flowers and grows best when slightly pot-bound, so do not rush to repot it. The mistake to avoid is over-potting into a much larger pot: the excess soil stays wet, the roots cannot use it, and the plant rots. Only repot every few years and only one snug size up.

Should you fertilise anthurium andraeanum 'colonel' after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting anthurium andraeanum 'colonel'. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.