Anthuriums from Hawaii
are known for their especially long vase life. Depending on the variety and season, this heart-shaped favorite can retain its straight-from-the-tropics freshness for up to 25 days.

The original anthurium was brought to Hawaii from Colombia via London in 1889 by an English missionary.

Anthuriums now thrive in Hawaii's tropical climate.

Meaning "tail flower" in Greek, the anthurium is part of the arum family (Araceae) which includes taro, philodendron, monstera, calla lily and jack-in-the-pulpit.

All share a similarly shaped flower: a colorful, shiny, heart-shaped "petal" (spathe) surrounding a straight or slightly curved, knobby "tail" (spadix). Stem lengths vary from 15" to 20" and correspond to the size of the spathe, the bigger the spathe, the longer the stem.

For color, longevity and intrigue all year round, anthuriums are one of Hawaii's best floral values. We offer three different gift packs of cut anthurium flowers, with a choice of red, deep lavender, white and pastel flowers.

All gift packs include assorted pieces of tropical foliage.

The Anthurium

The elegant blooms of this tropical aroid are produced and sold throughout the world.

The true flowers are found on the "spadix", the upright organ in the center of the "spathe", which is the decorative petal-like organ surrounding the spadix.

Although anthuriums are sensitive to low temperatures, they have a long vase life when properly handled.

The end of their vase life is usually the result of inability to draw water from the vase solution, and is associated with loss of glossiness and then blueing of the spathe.

Most of the water lost by the flower evaporates from the spadix. Application of wax, to prevent this water loss, or pulsing with silver nitrate, to improve water relations of the flower, can extend their vase life considerably.

The following tips from Hawaii’s tropical flower experts will help you make the most of the astonishing anthurium.
Purchase flowers when the spadix — the tail-like part, which is actually a protruding floral cluster —has 75 percent open miniature flowers. You’ll know the anthurium is mature when the spadix changes color from a yellowish/off-white to white and its surface becomes rougher. Unpack the flowers immediately — and carefully. Creasing or folding the heart-shaped part of the flower will cause the injured areas to darken.

Trim 1/2 to 1 inch off the stems, being careful not to mash them. If the flowers are wilted or flaccid upon unpacking, submerge whole flowers for 10 to 15 minutes in 70 to 80 degrees F water. Place the flowers in a clean vase — and one that contains clean water (with or without a floral preservative). Avoid storing anthuriums at temperatures lower than their ideal —55 degrees F— for any length of time. This way you’ll reduce the likelihood of a chilling injury, which causes the flower to darken.

When you are ready to put yout Anthuriums into water - Re cut stems once with a sharp knife
Use clean water - with or without a floral preservative.
Keep flowers away from heat sources and drafts.  

Maturity

The proportion of open flowers on the spadix determines the maturity of anthurium flowers. In immature anthuriums, the spadix is smooth. Flower opening starts at the base of the spadix and proceeds upwards; spadices with open flowers are noticeably rough. Although producers in some countries harvest anthuriums when as little as 20% (1/5) of the spadix is rough, Hawaiian growers harvest flowers when only 1/4 of the spadix is still smooth (3/4 of the flowers are therefore open). Harvesting anthuriums when more mature increases overall vase life. 

Harvesting

The flowers are removed from the plant using shears. 

Pre-treatments

Pre-treated flowers are not harmed by vase preservatives but derive no additional benefit from them. Anthuriums can have a vase life of up to 3 weeks if properly treated. Even after a week of storage, vase life can be adequate, if proper techniques are used to handle the flowers. It seems reasonable that vase life problems are associated with bacterial contamination of the cut stem bases. If anthuriums are placed in water after harvest, a biocide (e.g. 50 ppm hypochlorite) should be added. 

Packing

Anthuriums are normally packaged individually. They are commonly packed in moist shredded newsprint or other shredded paper. Major damage during transportation is the result of spadices puncturing the spathe of neighboring flowers in the pack. Many producers now sheathe the flowers in small plastic bags and pack the anthuriums more densely in the box. 

Chilling Injury

Anthuriums are very sensitive to "chilling" injury. Holding the flowers for any length of time at temperatures below 10° C (50° F) will induce purpling, browning, and then necrosis. Anthuriums should therefore never be pre-cooled with other flowers, nor held in low temperature cool-rooms.