Purple Flamingo Flower - Anthurium andraeanum 'Zizou'

Scientific Name
Anthurium andraeanum (Andre's flower-tail)

Common Name
Painter's Palette, Flamingo Lily

Origin
Native to tropical areas in Colombia and Ecuador

Description
With its dark green waxy leaves and brightly-coloured flowers, the flamingo flower is sure to be an eye-catching addition to your home. Its long-lasting flowers bloom almost year-round, and with the right conditions, this tropical flower will brighten your room for years to come. In their natural habitats, these plants are epiphytic (they grow on trees) so they need to be well-drained rather than waterlogged at the root while enjoying a humid environment in general.

Light
Likes a bright location with an hour of morning or evening sun; a north, noth-west or north-east facing windowsill will be ideal.

Water
Allow a third of the soil to dry out between waterings in spring and summer, and a little more in autumn and winter. Since flamingo flowers are epiphytic, they are not tolerant to waterlogging!

Humidity
Loves high humidity; will benefit from regular misting, especially where it gets a lot of light.

Soil
Plant in well-draining soil; a mix with added bark for drainage would complement its epiphytic nature. Repot every three years only if absolutely necessary.

Food
Feed every couple of weeks in spring and summer, reduce to every month in autumn and winter. Roots are sensitive so take care with fertilisers which pour directly into the soil.