Improving the shelf life of cut anthuriums through the application of a fruit wax was investigated. The transpiration rate of cut flowers held under ambient (28°C, rh 60�80%) and refrigerated conditions (18 and 13°C, rh 80�90%) were shown to decrease when the wax was applied to the spadix tissue. Waxing of the spadix maintained the fresh weight and extended the shelf life of the flowers under ambient conditions for to up to 20 days. The shelf life of waxed flowers stored at 18°C was extended from 20 to 25�30 days with a corresponding improvement in water relations, while waxed flowers stored at 13°C were comparable in appearance to the control (untreated) flowers. Waxing of the spathe tissue resulted in discolouration of the spathe.