Sampling the most recently mature leaf of anthurium (Anthurium andraeamum Lind.), subtending a 3/4-mature flower, has been the leaf selected for plant analysis evaluation. In order to determine the validity of selecting the most recently matured leaf as the standard for analysis, nutritional levels of the most recently matured leaf verses a younger leaf, within ten days of maturity and prior to forming a suberized covering, were compared over an eight-year period. Leaf samples were selected from four cultivars ('Kozohara', 'Kaumana' 'Ozaki', and 'Nitta Orange') and analyzed for their nitrogen (N), potassium (K), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), boron (B), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn) contents. Mean tissue levels of the macroelements N, P, K, Ca, and to a lesser extent Mg were consistantly higher in the younger leaves for all four cultivars analyzed. Comparatively lower macronutrient and some micronutrient levels in mature leaves (subtending a 3/4-mature flower) are attributed to the export of selected nutrients to the developing flower. These observations suggest that the use of the mature leaf subtending a 3/4-mature flower would not be the correct selection for evaluating the current nutritional status of anthuriums. Selecting the correct leaf for predicting the effectiveness of a fertility program in suppling the essential nutrients at levels sufficient to support plant growth and flower development is the objective and primary reason for a plant anlaysis. Leaf selection for anthuriums should be at a stage of maturity prior to significant export of the essential nutrients for growth and flower development in order to evaluate the effectiveness of a fertility program and maintaining sufficient levels of the essential nutrients.