How to Grow Anthurium 'Florida Carmine'
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Anthurium 'Florida Carmine'
Anthurium andraeanum 'Florida Carmine'
flowerAnthurium 'Florida Carmine' is a tropical flowering plant prized for its distinctive glossy, heart-shaped spathes (modified leaves) in deep carmine-red, with contrasting yellow or cream spadix (flower spike). This cultivar is a hybrid developed for superior color saturation and longevity of blooms, making it popular as both a houseplant and cut flower.
When should you plant Anthurium 'Florida Carmine' in your zone?
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Example Anthurium 'Florida Carmine' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Anthurium 'Florida Carmine'
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Anthurium 'Florida Carmine' blooms
Mid-to-late summerBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives year-round in zones 11-12; elsewhere requires indoor cultivation or greenhouse conditions
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Establishment
2-4 weeksNew plant with immature root system and 2-4 small leaves, adapting to environment
Maintain high humidity (70%+), stable temperatures 65-75°F, and bright indirect light. Avoid fertilizing for first month. Keep soil lightly moist. Minimize handling to reduce transplant stress.
Vegetative Growth
3-12 monthsPlant develops healthy foliage with larger, deep green heart-shaped leaves and stronger root system
Maintain warm temperatures (70-80°F), humidity 60-80%, and consistent watering. Apply balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) monthly at half strength. Repot annually in spring as plant grows. Ensure excellent air circulation.
Bud Formation
4-8 weeksFlower spikes (inflorescences) emerge from leaf axils as small green protrusions at base of petioles
Maintain consistent warmth (75-80°F during day, 65-70°F at night), high humidity, and bright indirect light. Switch to higher phosphorus fertilizer (5-20-10) to encourage blooming. Water consistently but avoid waterlogging.
Flowering & Bloom
8-12 weeks per bloom cycle (continuous with proper care)Spathes unfurl into heart-shaped waxy leaves in deep carmine-red with prominent yellow/cream spadix. Blooms last 2-3 months on plant, longer if used as cut flower.
Maintain 70-80°F temperatures and 65-75% humidity. Avoid moving plant to prevent stress. Continue regular watering and fertilizing. Mist foliage occasionally. Remove spent blooms only after they fade for continuous production.
Decline & Rest
2-4 weeksSpent spathes fade from carmine to brownish-green and eventually wither; plant may have short rest period
Remove faded spathes at base using sterile pruners. Continue watering and light fertilizing. Maintain humidity and warm temperatures. This is not a true dormancy; blooming may resume within weeks with consistent care.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil weekly for 3-4 weeks. Isolate infected plant. Dab individual insects with rubbing alcohol on cotton swab.
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Increase humidity to 70%+. Spray undersides of leaves with water. Use neem oil or miticide spray every 5-7 days if severe. Ensure good air circulation.
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Scrape off with soft brush or cloth. Treat with horticultural oil spray. Isolate plant and monitor closely. Repeat treatments every 7-10 days.
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Remove affected leaves. Spray with insecticidal soap every 5 days. Use yellow sticky traps to monitor. Maintain higher humidity.
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Improve drainage immediately. Reduce watering frequency. Repot into fresh, well-draining mix. Remove blackened roots. Consider fungicide treatment.
Uses
Not edible
CulinaryAnthurium is not safe for consumption. All plant parts contain calcium oxalate crystals which cause oral irritation, throat swelling, and digestive upset if ingested. [source]
Air purification and indoor decoration
HouseholdAnthurium 'Florida Carmine' removes formaldehyde, ammonia, and xylene from indoor air while providing striking carmine-red cut flowers or long-lasting potted blooms. The waxy, sculptural flowers are excellent for minimalist floral arrangements and can remain fresh in water for several weeks. [source]
Cut flower and floral design
CraftThe deep carmine spathe and long-lasting blooms (2-4 weeks in water) make 'Florida Carmine' a premium choice for tropical floral arrangements, wedding bouquets, and contemporary designs. The glossy finish photographs beautifully and adds sculptural interest to arrangements. [source]
Pollinator nectar source in tropical regions
WildlifeIn outdoor tropical cultivation (zones 11-12), the spadix provides nectar for hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. Indoor plants rarely produce viable seed without manual pollination. [source]
Traditional herbal use (external only)
MedicinalIn some tropical cultures, Anthurium leaves have been used externally in poultices for inflammation, though scientific evidence is limited. The plant must never be ingested due to calcium oxalate content. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
For cut flowers, harvest when spathe is fully opened and color is fully developed (typically 3-4 weeks after emergence). Cut the flower stem at the base with sterile pruners, leaving 1-2 leaves on the plant. Cut flowers remain vibrant for 2-4 weeks in water. For houseplant display, simply remove faded spathes after they brown; do not deadhead if you prefer continuous blooming from the same plant.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Anthurium 'Florida Carmine' was bred in Florida in the 1970s specifically to achieve the intense carmine-red coloring and superior vase life that made it commercially dominant in the cut flower market, eventually replacing older red varieties.
- 🌱 The 'flower' that blooms is actually a modified leaf (spathe) surrounding a true flowering spike (spadix); the tiny true flowers are inconspicuous and line the spadix in a spiral pattern, each capable of producing berries if pollinated.
- 🌱 Anthurium plants can flower year-round when grown in ideal conditions (warm temps, high humidity, bright indirect light), sometimes producing 2-4 blooms simultaneously from different leaf axils on mature specimens, making them some of the longest-blooming houseplants available.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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