In this article, I’ll discuss the Anthurium’s meaning and symbolism. With its heart-shaped leaves and flowers, Anthurium andraeanum is a tropical plant like no other. It belongs to the arum family.
It is also called Flamingo Flower, Painter’s Palette, Tail flower, and Laceleaf. Painted Tongue, Boy flower, and Flamingo lily.
Its heart-shaped flower features a spathe. The spathe or bract has a glossy and waxy shine and is colored. It is often seen as an exotic flower. The botanical flowers, however, are small clusters growing on the spadix.
Let’s now dive into the meaning and symbolism of this houseplant.
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Anthurium Meaning And Symbolism
Anthuriums mean and symbolize love and friendship. The main reason is the red bract that is heart-shaped and surrounds the flower. Anthuriums are available in different colors. Popular colors are red, pink, white, and yellow. Depending on the color, these flowers take on different meanings.
The beautiful flower is supposed to bring luck, keep away evil, and symbolize abundance and happiness. It provides positive vibes.
The University of Guelph states that these flowers symbolize long-lasting friendships and love.
White, pink, and red Anthuriums make great flowers for Valentine’s Day. All these colors can symbolize love.
In a study by Ben Gurion University, participants were asked to describe different flowers. The Anthurium flower and leaf shape were described as modest and simple by the participants. They also highlighted a connection to nature and authenticity.
People with an Anthurium as a birth flower are associated with happiness and satisfaction.
Anthurium Etymological Meaning
In Greek, Anthurium means tail flower. Anthos for flower. Oura for tail. This refers to the spadix in the center of the spathe.
Anthurium Flower Color Meaning
The color meaning impacts the symbolism of this heart-shaped beauty. With its dark green foliage, the bright colors of the flowers pop even more.
When I talk about the flower color, I refer to the spathe. The anthurium’s flowers are tiny and are part of the spadix.
Red Anthurium Flower
The red flower symbolizes love, friendship, lust, and sensuality.
Pink Anthuriums
Pink anthuriums symbolize feminity as well as love in their purest form.
White Anthurium Flower
White foliage signifies pureness and peace. White flowers also symbolize innocence and purity.
Purple Anthurium Flower
This color variation is new. The purple anthuriums’ blooms symbolize royalty and success.
Anthurium For Feng Shui
According to Feng Shui, Anthuriums symbolize good luck, relationship, and love. They bring luck and protect the house from evil.
This is why they are the perfect gifts for party hosts.
Anthurium Mythology
In Greek, Anthurium plants symbolize Cupid’s arrow. The arrow is used to make people fall in love with each other.
The Cultural Significance of Anthurium
In the Philippines, China, and Belize, Anthurium treats illnesses like kidney diseases, rheumatism, and arthritis. Stuartxchange mentions that people drink, inhale, and boil the plant.
Uses For Anthuriums
Known as the hospitality flower, the symbolism of Anthurium goes further. The flower is also a sign of purity and innocence.
The flowers of Anthurium plants are believed to bring luck. They could make people fall in love. Based on their symbolic meanings, there are many uses for these heart-shaped blooms.
Weddings
These flowers are popular for weddings. They are used in summer weddings. They are famous for garden weddings. They provide a tropical vibe and are perfect for the reception table.
You can also use anthuriums in bridal bouquets.
Birthday Gift
Anthurium flowers are some of the longest-lasting flowers in the plant kingdom. These cut flowers make great uncommon birthday gifts.
Graduations
As the meaning of the Anthurium flower is associated with luck and prosperity, they make a fantastic present for graduates.
Invitations
Anthuriums are the perfect gift for invitations. They’re also great gifts for housewarming parties.
They are often gifted to the host of a party. They symbolize abundance and joy.
Houseplant
The Painter’s pallete is a popular houseplant. It blooms throughout the year. In addition, Anthurium plants are easy to care for indoor plants.
Anthurium Flower History
For hundreds of years, these plants remained almost unnoticed, according to Ouranthosthenature. The natives didn’t take a particular liking to these plants.
Hawaii Neotropics mentions that Anthurium andraeanum was first brought from England to Hawaii in 1889 by Samuel Damon.
In the 1940s, Anthurium flowers were incorporated into flower bouquets by Hawaiian florists. They are used in hotel and company lobbies around the globe. Over time Anthuriums started to symbolize hospitality, according to the Hawaii Herald. They are also called the Heart of Hawaii.
In the 1970s, fungal diseases such as bacterial blight spread, and the Anthurium plant production almost halted in Hawaii.
Today Anthurium flowers are the most important cut flowers in Hawaii.
According to Anand Agricultural University, they are number eleven in the global flower trade, just behind the orchid.
6 Interesting Anthurium Facts
- Anthuriums purify the air
- Anthuriums are toxic and contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals
- It is the 11 most popular cut flower on the planet
- Anthurium has more than 1000 species
- They flower year-round
- Anthurium scherzerianum looks very similar to Anthurium andraeanum
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.