Anthurium Farming in India 2026
A glossy, heart shaped tropical cut flower with very long vase life, suited to warm humid Kerala and the Northeast.
Overview
Anthurium (Anthurium andreanum) is a premium tropical cut flower known for its glossy, heart shaped, waxy spathe in shades of red, pink, orange, white and bicolours, topped by a coloured spadix. It is valued for an exceptionally long vase life, often two to four weeks, which makes it a favourite for high end bouquets, arrangements and decoration. Anthurium needs a warm, humid, shaded environment, so it is grown under shade nets or naturally ventilated polyhouses fitted with foggers, almost never in the open. In India it is commercially grown in Kerala, the North Eastern states, and parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Maharashtra, with coffee planters in the Western Ghats also taking it up. The plants are slow to mature but then yield for several years, with flower number per plant rising after the first year. High initial cost for the structure and quality plants is the main hurdle, so an assured buyer matters, and all economic figures should be treated as indicative ranges and verified locally before investing.
Climate
Anthurium needs warm, humid, shaded conditions with temperatures around 20 to 28 degrees Celsius and high humidity of about 70 to 85 percent, with filtered light through 50 to 75 percent shade. It does not tolerate frost, hot dry air or strong direct sun, which scorch the spathe. Foggers, shade nets and good ventilation are used to hold humidity and shade, which is why warm humid regions like Kerala and the Northeast suit it.
Soil
Anthurium is grown not in ordinary soil but in a coarse, airy, free draining medium such as coconut husk, coir pith with chips, charcoal, brick pieces, leaf mould and sand in raised beds or pots, because its fleshy roots need plenty of air and rot if waterlogged. A slightly acidic medium around pH 5.5 to 6.5 with steady moisture but quick drainage gives best growth.
Planting & Spacing
Tissue culture or healthy nursery plants are set in raised beds or pots filled with the coarse medium, commonly spaced to give about 8 to 16 plants per square metre. The plant is set with the growing point at the surface and roots covered, then kept under shade nets or a fogger fitted polyhouse. Mist or fine irrigation keeps humidity high without waterlogging, and stakes may be used as plants grow.
Varieties
Anthurium andreanum is the main cut flower species, with related A. scherzerianum and A. veitchii also grown. Varieties suited to Indian conditions, especially Kerala, include types such as Can Can, Mia, Tropical Red, Agnihotri and other named hybrids, in red, pink, orange, white and bicolour, with red shades the most popular. Choose proven, locally tested varieties from a reliable nursery to match market demand for colour and spathe size.
Care & Management
Anthurium needs light, frequent feeding with a dilute balanced fertiliser, steady shade and high humidity, and good quality irrigation water. Foggers run in hot dry spells to keep humidity up, the medium is topped up as it breaks down, and old, yellow and diseased leaves and spent flowers are removed. Suckers can be separated to make new plants. Good air movement and a never waterlogged medium are key to preventing the rots this crop is prone to.
Pests & Diseases
Common pests are aphids, thrips, mites, scale and mealybugs, while major diseases include bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas, which is the most feared, along with Phytophthora and Pythium root rots and anthracnose. Using clean planting material, strict sanitation, good drainage and air movement, and prompt removal of infected plants are the main controls, since bacterial blight has no easy cure. Follow local integrated pest management advice and use any plant protection products following label and safety guidance.
Yield & Harvest
Anthurium starts flowering within the first year but yield is low at first, with roughly three flowers per plant in year one rising to around six per plant per year from the second year onward as plants mature, continuing for several years. Flowers are cut when the spathe is fully coloured and the spadix is two thirds developed, in the cool hours, and put straight into water. Actual yield depends on variety, climate and management, and well grown plants can keep producing for many years.
Cost & Profit
Anthurium needs a shade or fogger fitted polyhouse plus costly quality planting material, so the high initial investment is the biggest challenge and the crop takes time to reach full bearing. Once established, it yields long lasting premium flowers for several years, and studies from the Northeast and Kerala report that it can be profitable, though margins are thin without scheme support and a steady buyer. These figures vary widely with variety, market and management, so treat them as a planning guide and prepare a project report with current local quotations before investing.
These are indicative ranges. Actual cost and income vary by region, market and management, so verify locally.
Market & Demand
Anthurium is sold to florists, premium event and wedding decorators, hotels, exporters and online flower platforms, with strong demand in metros for high end decoration and gifting. Its glossy look and very long vase life are the main selling points, and red is the most sought after colour. As a niche premium product, securing a buyer or tie up with decorators, wholesalers or exporters before scaling up is essential, and Kerala and the Northeast supply both domestic metros and some export.
Subsidy & Support
Anthurium cultivation under protected structures is supported under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture, which assists with shade nets, polyhouses and planting material, while the State Horticulture Mission in Kerala and focused North Eastern region schemes offer additional support and higher assistance. The National Horticulture Board and state horticulture departments also run floriculture schemes. Subsidy rates and eligibility change over time and differ by state, so check the current MIDH and state guidelines and apply through your district horticulture office.
Where to grow it in India
Frequently asked questions
Why does anthurium need shade and high humidity?
What is the most serious disease of anthurium?
How long do cut anthurium flowers last?
How many flowers does an anthurium plant give?
Which states are best for anthurium in India?
Want help to start or connect with farmers growing this?
Ask the community Join the Sangh