The Purple Anthurium, botanically known as Anthurium andraeanum 'Zizou', is a rare and popular flowering houseplant with broad, heart-shaped flowers. One of the most desirable features of the Purple Anthurium is its exceptionally long flowering season.
While many flowering houseplants bloom only once or twice a year, a healthy Anthurium 'Zizou' can produce flowers repeatedly throughout the year when grown in favorable conditions. Individual blooms often remain attractive for several months, providing nearly continuous color and making the plant a reliable focal point in any indoor plant collection.
Native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, it can grow up to 12 inches tall and spreads roughly 10 inches wide indoors, making it an excellent choice for apartments, offices, and smaller living spaces.
Its compact size allows it to deliver bold color and tropical character without overwhelming a room.
The rich purple coloration of the flowers develops best when the plant receives plenty of bright, indirect light.
Too little light can slow growth, reduce flower production, and cause the vibrant purple tones to appear less intense over time.
On the other hand, direct afternoon sun may scorch the foliage and fade the blooms. Providing the right balance of bright filtered light is one of the most important factors for maintaining healthy growth, vibrant flowers, and year-round blooming performance.
This unique cultivar produces slender, ribbon-like violet-purple spathes that twist gracefully around a deep purple spadix, creating an elegant and modern appearance. Combined with its narrow, glossy green leaves and upright growth, it makes a sophisticated accent for desks, tabletops, windowsills, plant cabinets, and other indoor spaces.
When and How to Water Your Purple Anthurium
The Purple Anthurium is fairly forgiving and can tolerate short periods of dryness thanks to its thick roots, which store some water. Rather than keeping the soil constantly moist, allow the top portion of the potting mix to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid overwatering or leaving the pot sitting in water, as soggy soil can quickly lead to root rot and other health problems.
The Purple Anthurium should typically be watered every 1–2 weeks during the active growing season (March–September) and every 2–3 weeks during the dormant winter season (October–February), adjusting as needed based on your indoor temperature, pot type, and soil dryness.
In the spring and summer, water your Purple Anthurium when the top half of the potting mix feels dry to the touch. Water thoroughly until excess water drains from the bottom of the pot, then empty the saucer so the roots are not left sitting in water.
In the fall and winter, reduce watering because the plant grows more slowly and the soil takes longer to dry. Allow most of the potting mix to dry out before watering again, and avoid keeping the soil wet for extended periods to help prevent root rot.
Light Requirements – Where to Place Your Anthurium Zizou
When growing indoors, place your Purple Anthurium in bright, indirect light for 6–8 hours each day to encourage healthy growth and regular flowering.
A spot near an east-facing window or a few feet away from a bright south- or west-facing window is ideal. Avoid direct afternoon sun, as it can fade the rich flower color and scorch the leaves.
When grown outdoors, it performs best in full shade to bright filtered shade, where temperatures remain above 60°F year-round.
Place it on a covered patio, shaded porch, or beneath a tree canopy where it is protected from direct sunlight. In cooler regions, grow it in a container and bring it indoors before temperatures fall below 55°F.
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The 'Zizou' Anthurium grows best in a loose, chunky, well-draining potting mix that allows both moisture and air to reach the roots. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and most likely root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally use our specialized potting mix that contains 5 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your houseplant to thrive.
To support healthy foliage and continuous flowering, feed your plant with a balanced or bloom-boosting liquid NPK fertilizer during the spring and summer growing season. Apply fertilizer at half to quarter strength every 4–6 weeks, with an equal ratio of about 5-10-5. Reduce or stop fertilizing during fall and winter when growth naturally slows and the plant requires fewer nutrients.
How to Grow Indoors as a Houseplant
The Purple Anthurium makes an outstanding houseplant, admired for its glossy green foliage and long-lasting purple blooms that bring bold tropical color to indoor spaces.
- It grows best in indoor temperatures between 65°F and 85°F and should be protected from sudden temperature changes and cold drafts.
- It thrives in humidity levels of 50% or higher, which helps keep its foliage healthy and supports consistent flowering.
- This Anthurium benefits from extra humidity provided by a humidifier, a pebble tray filled with water, or by growing it alongside other tropical houseplants.
- The Purple flower plant should be kept away from drafty doorways, open winter windows, heating vents, and air conditioners, as these conditions can stress the plant and damage the foliage.
- It is commonly grown as an air-purifying houseplant and adds a lush, refreshing tropical presence to homes, offices, and indoor living spaces.
Hardiness Zone & More
In the United States, the Purple Anthurium is most commonly grown as an indoor houseplant, where its colorful blooms and tropical foliage can be enjoyed year-round.
Outdoors, it can be grown year-round only in frost-free regions such as southern Florida, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico within USDA Hardiness Zones 10–11.
It performs best in bright shade or filtered light, making it an excellent choice for covered patios, shaded courtyards, and protected tropical garden beds. It thrives in warm temperatures between 65°F and 85°F and should be protected from temperatures below 55°F. It also prefers moderate to high humidity levels of 50% or greater, which help keep the foliage lush and support continuous flowering. Good air circulation is beneficial, but the plant should be shielded from strong winds and drying drafts that can damage its leaves and flowers.
Wildlife – Anthurium Purple Flowers Attracts the Following Friendly Pollinators
It is grown primarily for its colorful, long-lasting blooms rather than its value as a pollinator plant. However, when grown outdoors in tropical or subtropical climates, its bright purple spathes and flower spikes may occasionally attract bees, beetles, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other small pollinating insects that visit flowers in search of pollen and nectar. While it is not considered a major pollinator plant, its blooms can still add interest and help support local garden wildlife.
Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds
According to ASPCA, the entire Anthurium genus is mildly toxic to cats, dogs, and humans if ingested. This is due to naturally occurring insoluble calcium oxalate crystals found throughout the plant tissue. Ingestion may cause intense oral irritation, drooling, difficulty swallowing, swelling of the lips and tongue, and stomach discomfort. It is best kept styled on high tabletops or plant stands safely out of reach of curious pets and children.
How to Propagate Your Purple Anthurium
Anthurium plants can be easily propagated through root division or by taking stem cuttings that contain visible aerial roots during the warm spring months.
- Root Division (Fastest): During spring repotting, gently slide the mature plant out of its pot. Locate the individual plant clusters that have formed their own root systems beneath the soil. Cleanly separate a cluster of stems using your hands or sterile pruning shears. Pot the new division into a small container with a chunky, airy aroid mix.
- Stem Cuttings: Locate a mature stem that has developed small, bumpy aerial roots along its stalk. Cut just below these root nodes using a sterile blade. Insert the base of the cutting into a jar of clean water or a moist moss substrate. Over several weeks, the stem will slowly expand its new root network, which can eventually be transitioned into a chunky soil mix.
Potting and Repotting Your Purple Anthurium Plant
This flowering houseplant prefers being relatively cozy in its container and will happily focus its energy on producing purple blooms rather than expanding its root system when slightly root-bound. Repot your Anthurium Zizou only every 2–3 years during the spring, or whenever you notice the thick, fleshy roots physically crowding the surface, winding tightly around the bottom of the pot, or pushing the soil mix out of the container.
Always choose a container with excellent drainage holes at the bottom, porous, unglazed terracotta pots are highly recommended to help excess moisture evaporate evenly from the sides. Move up only one pot size at a time (for example, from a 4-inch grower pot to a 6-inch pot) to prevent excess surrounding soil from holding onto too much water. When you finish repotting, use a chunky, quick-drying aroid or orchid-based mix and avoid watering the plant for the first few days to allow any bruised or torn root tissue to heal safely.
Key Takeaways
- The Purple Anthurium is one of the most eye-catching flowering houseplants available, combining exotic purple blooms, glossy tropical foliage, and a compact size that fits beautifully into modern indoor spaces.
- It produces rare violet-purple flowers that can last for months, offering the elegance of a fresh floral arrangement without the need for constant replacement.
- It is capable of blooming multiple times throughout the year, providing nearly continuous color when grown in bright, indirect light.
- It is prized by collectors because naturally purple-flowering Anthurium varieties are far less common than traditional red, pink, or white forms.
- The Anthurium purple combines long-lasting blooms and glossy foliage, ensuring it remains attractive even when not actively producing flowers.
The Bottom Line
Overall, the Purple Anthurium (Anthurium 'Zizou') stands as one of the most striking, reliable, and visually rewarding flowering houseplants you can introduce to your collection. Its waxy texture, electric purple coloration, and sharp lance-shaped silhouette bring an immediate air of modern luxury and dramatic contrast to any interior space. While it appreciates high humidity and warm temperatures, its ability to push beautiful blooms for months at a time makes it an effortless investment for bright spaces. Order your stunning Purple Anthurium plants for sale today!
Growers Quick Reference Guide - Key Features
- Description
- Key Plant Features
The Purple Anthurium, botanically known as Anthurium andraeanum 'Zizou', is a rare and popular flowering houseplant with broad, heart-shaped flowers. One of the most desirable features of the Purple Anthurium is its exceptionally long flowering season.
While many flowering houseplants bloom only once or twice a year, a healthy Anthurium 'Zizou' can produce flowers repeatedly throughout the year when grown in favorable conditions. Individual blooms often remain attractive for several months, providing nearly continuous color and making the plant a reliable focal point in any indoor plant collection.
Native to the tropical rainforests of Central and South America, it can grow up to 12 inches tall and spreads roughly 10 inches wide indoors, making it an excellent choice for apartments, offices, and smaller living spaces.
Its compact size allows it to deliver bold color and tropical character without overwhelming a room.
The rich purple coloration of the flowers develops best when the plant receives plenty of bright, indirect light.
Too little light can slow growth, reduce flower production, and cause the vibrant purple tones to appear less intense over time.
On the other hand, direct afternoon sun may scorch the foliage and fade the blooms. Providing the right balance of bright filtered light is one of the most important factors for maintaining healthy growth, vibrant flowers, and year-round blooming performance.
This unique cultivar produces slender, ribbon-like violet-purple spathes that twist gracefully around a deep purple spadix, creating an elegant and modern appearance. Combined with its narrow, glossy green leaves and upright growth, it makes a sophisticated accent for desks, tabletops, windowsills, plant cabinets, and other indoor spaces.
When and How to Water Your Purple Anthurium
The Purple Anthurium is fairly forgiving and can tolerate short periods of dryness thanks to its thick roots, which store some water. Rather than keeping the soil constantly moist, allow the top portion of the potting mix to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid overwatering or leaving the pot sitting in water, as soggy soil can quickly lead to root rot and other health problems.
The Purple Anthurium should typically be watered every 1–2 weeks during the active growing season (March–September) and every 2–3 weeks during the dormant winter season (October–February), adjusting as needed based on your indoor temperature, pot type, and soil dryness.
In the spring and summer, water your Purple Anthurium when the top half of the potting mix feels dry to the touch. Water thoroughly until excess water drains from the bottom of the pot, then empty the saucer so the roots are not left sitting in water.
In the fall and winter, reduce watering because the plant grows more slowly and the soil takes longer to dry. Allow most of the potting mix to dry out before watering again, and avoid keeping the soil wet for extended periods to help prevent root rot.
Light Requirements – Where to Place Your Anthurium Zizou
When growing indoors, place your Purple Anthurium in bright, indirect light for 6–8 hours each day to encourage healthy growth and regular flowering.
A spot near an east-facing window or a few feet away from a bright south- or west-facing window is ideal. Avoid direct afternoon sun, as it can fade the rich flower color and scorch the leaves.
When grown outdoors, it performs best in full shade to bright filtered shade, where temperatures remain above 60°F year-round.
Place it on a covered patio, shaded porch, or beneath a tree canopy where it is protected from direct sunlight. In cooler regions, grow it in a container and bring it indoors before temperatures fall below 55°F.
Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs
The 'Zizou' Anthurium grows best in a loose, chunky, well-draining potting mix that allows both moisture and air to reach the roots. Planting them in ordinary soil will result in compacted roots, stunted growth, and most likely root rot. Instead, make or buy a well-draining potting mix, or ideally use our specialized potting mix that contains 5 natural substrates and mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your houseplant to thrive.
To support healthy foliage and continuous flowering, feed your plant with a balanced or bloom-boosting liquid NPK fertilizer during the spring and summer growing season. Apply fertilizer at half to quarter strength every 4–6 weeks, with an equal ratio of about 5-10-5. Reduce or stop fertilizing during fall and winter when growth naturally slows and the plant requires fewer nutrients.
How to Grow Indoors as a Houseplant
The Purple Anthurium makes an outstanding houseplant, admired for its glossy green foliage and long-lasting purple blooms that bring bold tropical color to indoor spaces.
- It grows best in indoor temperatures between 65°F and 85°F and should be protected from sudden temperature changes and cold drafts.
- It thrives in humidity levels of 50% or higher, which helps keep its foliage healthy and supports consistent flowering.
- This Anthurium benefits from extra humidity provided by a humidifier, a pebble tray filled with water, or by growing it alongside other tropical houseplants.
- The Purple flower plant should be kept away from drafty doorways, open winter windows, heating vents, and air conditioners, as these conditions can stress the plant and damage the foliage.
- It is commonly grown as an air-purifying houseplant and adds a lush, refreshing tropical presence to homes, offices, and indoor living spaces.
Hardiness Zone & More
In the United States, the Purple Anthurium is most commonly grown as an indoor houseplant, where its colorful blooms and tropical foliage can be enjoyed year-round.
Outdoors, it can be grown year-round only in frost-free regions such as southern Florida, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico within USDA Hardiness Zones 10–11.
It performs best in bright shade or filtered light, making it an excellent choice for covered patios, shaded courtyards, and protected tropical garden beds. It thrives in warm temperatures between 65°F and 85°F and should be protected from temperatures below 55°F. It also prefers moderate to high humidity levels of 50% or greater, which help keep the foliage lush and support continuous flowering. Good air circulation is beneficial, but the plant should be shielded from strong winds and drying drafts that can damage its leaves and flowers.
Wildlife – Anthurium Purple Flowers Attracts the Following Friendly Pollinators
It is grown primarily for its colorful, long-lasting blooms rather than its value as a pollinator plant. However, when grown outdoors in tropical or subtropical climates, its bright purple spathes and flower spikes may occasionally attract bees, beetles, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other small pollinating insects that visit flowers in search of pollen and nectar. While it is not considered a major pollinator plant, its blooms can still add interest and help support local garden wildlife.
Butterflies
Bees
Hummingbirds
Lady Bugs
Multi Pollinators
Other Birds
According to ASPCA, the entire Anthurium genus is mildly toxic to cats, dogs, and humans if ingested. This is due to naturally occurring insoluble calcium oxalate crystals found throughout the plant tissue. Ingestion may cause intense oral irritation, drooling, difficulty swallowing, swelling of the lips and tongue, and stomach discomfort. It is best kept styled on high tabletops or plant stands safely out of reach of curious pets and children.
How to Propagate Your Purple Anthurium
Anthurium plants can be easily propagated through root division or by taking stem cuttings that contain visible aerial roots during the warm spring months.
- Root Division (Fastest): During spring repotting, gently slide the mature plant out of its pot. Locate the individual plant clusters that have formed their own root systems beneath the soil. Cleanly separate a cluster of stems using your hands or sterile pruning shears. Pot the new division into a small container with a chunky, airy aroid mix.
- Stem Cuttings: Locate a mature stem that has developed small, bumpy aerial roots along its stalk. Cut just below these root nodes using a sterile blade. Insert the base of the cutting into a jar of clean water or a moist moss substrate. Over several weeks, the stem will slowly expand its new root network, which can eventually be transitioned into a chunky soil mix.
Potting and Repotting Your Purple Anthurium Plant
This flowering houseplant prefers being relatively cozy in its container and will happily focus its energy on producing purple blooms rather than expanding its root system when slightly root-bound. Repot your Anthurium Zizou only every 2–3 years during the spring, or whenever you notice the thick, fleshy roots physically crowding the surface, winding tightly around the bottom of the pot, or pushing the soil mix out of the container.
Always choose a container with excellent drainage holes at the bottom, porous, unglazed terracotta pots are highly recommended to help excess moisture evaporate evenly from the sides. Move up only one pot size at a time (for example, from a 4-inch grower pot to a 6-inch pot) to prevent excess surrounding soil from holding onto too much water. When you finish repotting, use a chunky, quick-drying aroid or orchid-based mix and avoid watering the plant for the first few days to allow any bruised or torn root tissue to heal safely.
Key Takeaways
- The Purple Anthurium is one of the most eye-catching flowering houseplants available, combining exotic purple blooms, glossy tropical foliage, and a compact size that fits beautifully into modern indoor spaces.
- It produces rare violet-purple flowers that can last for months, offering the elegance of a fresh floral arrangement without the need for constant replacement.
- It is capable of blooming multiple times throughout the year, providing nearly continuous color when grown in bright, indirect light.
- It is prized by collectors because naturally purple-flowering Anthurium varieties are far less common than traditional red, pink, or white forms.
- The Anthurium purple combines long-lasting blooms and glossy foliage, ensuring it remains attractive even when not actively producing flowers.
The Bottom Line
Overall, the Purple Anthurium (Anthurium 'Zizou') stands as one of the most striking, reliable, and visually rewarding flowering houseplants you can introduce to your collection. Its waxy texture, electric purple coloration, and sharp lance-shaped silhouette bring an immediate air of modern luxury and dramatic contrast to any interior space. While it appreciates high humidity and warm temperatures, its ability to push beautiful blooms for months at a time makes it an effortless investment for bright spaces. Order your stunning Purple Anthurium plants for sale today!
Growers Quick Reference Guide - Key Features
