FLOWER STORIESPlants & Orchids
Anthurium: The Leaf That Looks Like a Flower
The red heart is a leaf. The real flowers are on the stalk in the middle.
The red heart is a leaf. The real flowers are on the stalk in the middle.
The red "flower" on the anthurium you were given still looks the same a month later, and you may have started to wonder if it's artificial. It isn't. That red heart is not a petal. It is a spathe, a modified leaf.
This is why the usual habits for caring for flowers can lead you astray. This post covers three things: why the spathe fades, what keeps it looking good longer, and what to check in a home with pets.
The yellow or white stalk rising from the center is called the spadix. Up close, its surface is covered in tiny, tightly packed bumps, and each one is an actual flower.
These small flowers mature in order, starting from the bottom of the spadix. If the surface turns bumpy or changes color slightly, the flowers are opening. It is not a disease.
The spathe is a leaf that has changed to make these small flowers easier to see. Its tissue is thicker than a petal and its surface is waxy, so while it stays on the plant it keeps its shape for weeks.
When the spathe eventually fades to green, that is also normal aging. At that point, cut the flower stem close to the base, and the plant can put its energy into new leaves and the next flower stem.
People who receive congratulatory plants usually don't have time to look after them. Anthurium leaves are sturdy and the spathes last a long time, so the plant holds its shape through the busy first few weeks.
The red heart shape says congratulations without needing an explanation. Instead of a flower that wilts, the plant keeps sending up new leaves and flower stems, which fits the idea of a fresh start.
Offices and shops, however, often have spots far from a window or exposed to strong air from heating and air conditioning. If you have a rough idea of where the plant will go before you send it, you can choose based on the conditions below.
Anthuriums grow in the lower layer of tropical forests, so they prefer bright, indirect light. Direct sun leaves brown spots on the spathe, and in a spot that is too dark, new flower stems are slow to come up.
Water thoroughly once the top 2–3 centimeters of soil has dried, and empty any water that collects in the saucer. The most common mistake is adding more water because the plant looks limp. Overwatering makes the plant go soft, starting at the roots.
Indoor air gets dry in winter, so it helps to raise the humidity around the leaves. Mist mainly the leaves and keep water off the spathe, because droplets that sit on it leave marks.
| What you see | Common cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Spathe fading to green | Normal aging | Cut the flower stem at the base |
| Brown spots on the spathe | Direct sun, water droplet marks | Move it to a bright spot behind a curtain |
| Yellow leaves, soil always damp | Overwatering | Stop watering until the topsoil dries |
| Leaf tips browning and drying | Dry air, drafts from heating or cooling | Move it out of the draft and add humidity |
If there are pets in the home, choose the spot first. Anthuriums contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals. A cat or dog that chews the plant can get mouth irritation and drool, so keep it at a height they can't reach.
You can browse anthurium plants to suit the recipient's space at Arrive in Bloom.
No. It is a modified leaf called a spathe. The actual flowers are the tiny bumps packed tightly over the surface of the central stalk, the spadix.
In most cases it is normal aging. Cut the flower stem close to the base, and the plant can put its energy into new leaves and the next flower stem.
Don't water on a fixed schedule. Check that the top 2–3 centimeters of soil are dry, then water thoroughly. Empty any water that collects in the saucer to avoid overwatering.
The plant contains insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, so chewing it can cause mouth irritation and drooling. The safest option is to keep it at a height pets can't reach.
Arrive in Bloom delivers anywhere in Korea. Once delivery is complete, we send you a photo of the actual item, unstaged and unretouched. Orders placed by 5 p.m. (Korea time) arrive the same day.
Published October 25, 2026 · by Arrive in Bloom · Flower Editor
