Anthurium Meaning

The anthurium is the most popular plant gift for openings and new homes, and there is a concrete reason: it blooms practically all year and tolerates a fair amount of neglect.

What it symbolizes

• Hospitality. Its main meaning: "welcome to this home."
• Abundance and prosperity. Strongly associated in Feng Shui with money energy.
• Passion. Because of the heart shape of the red spathe.

It is one of the best gifts for a store opening because of that combination of meaning and durability.

What looks like a flower is not a flower

The glossy red part is a spathe, a modified leaf. The true flowers are the ones on the spadix, that yellow cylinder in the center. It is the same structure as the calla lily and the peace lily: all members of the arum family.

By color

• Red: the classic. Passion and welcome.
• Pink: affection and femininity.
• White: purity and calm. The most elegant choice for an office.
• Green and black: collector varieties, highly sought after.

Care in two lines

Plenty of indirect light, water when the top layer of soil dries out (roughly once a week), and humidity: it appreciates a misting on the leaves or a tray of pebbles and water underneath. It does not tolerate direct sun or standing water in the pot.

Warning

It is toxic if ingested, for people and pets. The sap is irritating. That is no reason to rule it out, but it is a reason to place it up high if there are cats or small children around.