Giant Chocolate Anthurium

Giant Chocolate Anthurium (Anthurium andreanum 'Giant Chocolate') is a shade-loving tropical plant, 60cm to 80cm tall and about 60cm wide, with large heart shaped leaves and chocolate coloured, heart shaped flowers. New leaves emerge chocolate brown and deepen to dark green. It is a rich, dark choice for tropical borders, containers and indoor gardens.

Why you'll love it

• Chocolate coloured flowers. Big heart shaped blooms in a deep chocolate tone are unlike any pink or red anthurium.
• Leaves that change. New foliage starts chocolate brown and darkens to green, so the plant has several tones at once.
• Large and bold. Big heart shaped leaves give it presence even without flowers.
• Happy in shade. It is a shade-loving plant that does best in a sheltered position, out of direct sun.
• Garden or house. It suits tropical borders, shaded underplanting, containers and indoor gardens.

Where it works best

Tropical borders. Plant 60cm apart for a shaded underplanting of large leaves beneath taller plants, where the dark tones add depth.

Containers. Use a pot with drainage holes and a free draining mix, and place it in bright, filtered light.

Indoor gardens. Its near-dark colouring works with white walls and pale furniture, and the plant is happy in a sheltered, humid room.

Growing Giant Chocolate Anthurium in Australia

Position and climate. Plant in a sheltered position and avoid direct sunlight. Giant Chocolate must be protected from frost, and it thrives in humid conditions, so it grows outdoors only in tropical and subtropical gardens. In other climates, keep it in a pot indoors, in plenty of bright, filtered light.

Soil. A free draining soil rich in organic matter, or a quality potting mix. Mulch the surface to hold moisture.

Water and feed. Mulch and water regularly until established, usually around 12 weeks. Keep it moist in dry periods. Apply slow release fertiliser in spring and liquid fertiliser every two to four weeks in the warmer months, at half the recommended dose to avoid burn.

Pruning. Remove spent flowers and tired leaves at the base. Wipe indoor leaves gently with a damp cloth, and re-pot at the beginning of spring. Anthurium sap can irritate skin and the leaves are poisonous, so wear gloves.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Giant Chocolate Anthurium as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube. Supply comes from our grower and is not constant. If the tube reads sold out, none is available at the moment, and the notify button on the page sends you an email the day it is back. Anthuriums are slow growing when young and are raised from tissue culture, so supply is seasonal and limited. Expect a small young plant. Unpack promptly, pot it up or plant it in a sheltered spot, and keep it warm and humid.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse tropical plants
• Indoor plants for every room
• How to keep your indoor plants alive
• Plants for partial shade

Common questions

Are the flowers really brown?

They are a deep chocolate colour, and the new leaves share the tone before they mature to dark green.

Does it grow quickly?

Not at first. Anthuriums are slow growing when young, and the plant gives its best display once it is established.

Is it poisonous?

Yes. The foliage contains a poisonous substance, so keep it away from children and pets, and wear gloves when handling it.