Needs phosphorus to flower
A well-lit, leafy anthurium that won't bloom usually needs the right feeding to tip it into flower.
Diagnosis
Needs phosphorus to flower
What's happening
When light is good but the plant makes leaf after leaf and no spathes, it's often a feeding imbalance. A plant that's never fed runs short of the phosphorus that drives blooming, while one fed a high-nitrogen formula is pushed toward lush foliage at the expense of flowers.
How to fix it
Feed through the growing season with a balanced or bloom-oriented liquid fertilizer that's higher in phosphorus, diluted to quarter or half strength every few weeks — anthurium burns easily, so keep it gentle. Pair that with bright indirect light and warmth above 65°F, and remove spent flowers so the plant invests in fresh ones. Blooms typically return within a season of steady, correct feeding.
What fixes it
- A balanced liquid fertilizer — A balanced, phosphorus-forward liquid feed at low strength nudges a leafy anthurium into setting flowers.
If that doesn't fix it
This is general guidance based on common symptoms; individual plants vary.
Read the full Anthurium care guide →
Reviewed June 2026 · how we check this