Anthuriums are beautiful, exotic plants that make a real eye-catcher in any home with their colourful flowers and glossy leaves. But did you know that these tropical beauties originally come from the lush rainforests of South America? In this article, we take you on the fascinating journey of the anthurium, from the tropical jungle to your living room.

Origins in the Tropical Jungle

Anthuriums grow naturally in the tropical rainforests of countries such as Colombia and Ecuador. Here, they thrive in warm, humid conditions, often as epiphytes on trees. This means they attach themselves to tree trunks with their roots and absorb nutrients from the air and rain, without harming the tree. This also explains why they prefer an airy and humid environment indoors.

Also read: All about Anthurium pot plant and cut flower

From Jungle to Nursery

To make these beautiful plants accessible for home interiors, anthuriums are carefully cultivated in specialised nurseries. Here, growers mimic their natural conditions by creating a warm and humid climate. From a small cutting, the anthurium gradually develops into a full-grown plant with its distinctive flowers. This process takes several months and requires great attention and expertise.

The Journey to the Consumer

Once fully grown, the anthurium is carefully packaged and transported via wholesalers to garden centres, florists, and online shops, where you can choose your perfect plant. Thanks to proper care during transport, the anthurium arrives strong and healthy, ensuring that you can enjoy it at home for a long time.

How to Care for an Anthurium at Home

Once in your home, you’ll naturally want your anthurium to bloom for as long as possible. Here are a few simple care tips:

• Light: Place the plant in a bright spot, but avoid direct sunlight.

• Water: Water regularly, but ensure the roots do not sit in waterlogged soil.

• Humidity: As tropical plants, anthuriums thrive in high humidity. Occasionally mist the leaves with water.

• Nutrition: During the growing season (spring and summer), feed with fertiliser for flowering houseplants once a month.

From the Tropical Jungle to Your Living Room

It’s extraordinary to think that the anthurium sitting on your table once started as a tiny cutting taken from a plant in the tropical jungle. Thanks to the careful cultivation and expertise of growers, we can now enjoy this stunning tropical plant in our homes.

Also read: How to style houseplants in your interior: 3 tips